Desktop Application


Go Back   CiteHR Home > Human Resource Section > Change Management





 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 28-08-2007, 04:40 PM
parasha2000's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: bhopal
Posts: 29
Default A story about decision making

The story given below is quite interesting and really gives us an
>insight into DECISION MAKING.
>
>Which one will you choose?
>
>A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in
>use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused
track,
>the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just
>beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its
>course to the disused track and saved most of the kids.
>
>However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused
>track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its
way?
>
>Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could
>make................
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and
>sacrifice only one child.
>You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way
>initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only
>one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and
>emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to
>play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play
at a
>safe place?
>
>Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends
>who chose to play where the danger was.
>
>This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office,
>community,
>in politics and in a democratic society, specially the minority is
>often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how
foolish or
>ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the
>minority are.
>
>The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track
>was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one ! would shed
>tear for him.
>
>The friend who forwarded me the story said he would not try to change
>the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on
the
>operational track should have known very well that track was still in
>use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's
>sirens.
>
>If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die
>because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
>
>Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.
>
>If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all
>passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids
>by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of
people
>to save these few kids.
>While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need
>to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be
the
>r! ight one.
>
>"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular
>isn't always right."
Sponsors
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 28-08-2007, 07:04 PM
K.Ravi's Avatar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SATURN
Posts: 1,260
Default Re: A story about decision making

i Did not think of diverting the train, i thought to shout at the children who were playing in used track,,, :P :P :P
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 29-08-2007, 12:26 PM
amus03's Avatar
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 23
Default Re: A story about decision making

Hi,

Thats a very nice post....which is actually showing the ill effects of others thoughts and actions on people around them.....very nice.....thank you....
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 29-08-2007, 02:28 PM
Hiren50's Avatar
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Delhi
Posts: 457
Default Re: A story about decision making

Very interesting-"What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right" is very true indeed. Consider Test cricket v/s one-day cricket- most cricketers say that test cricket is the real cricket but it is the other form which is more popular. Art cinema vls commercial cinema- "What is good is not necessary successful and vice versa"

In the context of decision making, politicans have no such dilemma. For their vote banks, they can make any decision hearltessly though it may neither be popular not right just the way they are.

In companies, smart subordinates who become popular are also sacrificed. Vanity of human beings also decides; not just majority.
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 29-08-2007, 04:56 PM
Jeroo Chandiok's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 423
Default Re: A story about decision making

Food for thought.

Split second decisions may not always, in retrospect, have been the right ones .....

Perhaps stopping to consider all the alternatives even if it takes a few seconds longer, might have been a better bet.....

Also, I agree that shouting at the children playing on the active track to get off the track would have helped most, if not all, to escape, thus ensuring the train passengers' safety ....

Very interesting. I hope I too would have taken the correct decision, time permitting!

Jeroo
__________________
Jeroo Chandiok
Management Consultant

   Post New Thread  Reply

Similar Topics

Downloads

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Thread Tags
decision, making, story

All trademarks and copyrights held by respective owners. Member comments & attachments are owned by the poster.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms Of Service