Employability Skill04 of 10

Decision Making

Evaluate your options, consider the consequences, and commit to a choice you can stand behind.

Real Workplace Scenario

A coworker pulls you aside and asks you to cover for them. They want to tell your supervisor they were in the restroom when they were actually outside on a personal phone call. "It's no big deal," they say. "I'll do the same for you sometime."

What do you do?

Why This Skill Matters

Every

day at work involves dozens of micro-decisions. Most won't have a clear right answer in a manual.

Trust

is built or destroyed by how you decide — especially in small moments nobody else is watching

Yours

Every decision you make at a placement reflects your professional reputation. Own it.

What This Skill Actually Is

Decision making is evaluating available options — considering the likely outcomes, the people affected, and the values at stake — and committing to a course of action you can defend and stand behind.

Strong decision makers don't just pick the most convenient option. They consider: What are the consequences if this goes wrong? Who else is affected? Does this align with what the organization expects of me? And then they act decisively — not paralyzed by indecision, not reckless.

A quick test before any uncertain decision:

Would you be comfortable if your supervisor could see exactly what you're doing and why? If yes — proceed. If not — pause.

Activity 1Scenario — Choose Your Response

The Discount Irregularity

You notice a coworker has been regularly giving unauthorized discounts at checkout — it looks like friends are getting special pricing. You're not sure if it's a mistake or intentional. What do you do?

Activity 2Written Response

Back to the Opening

A coworker asks you to lie to your supervisor to cover for them. In 4–6 sentences, explain exactly what you would say to the coworker — keeping the working relationship intact while being honest about why you can't do it. This isn't about lecturing them; it's about a real, human response.

Strong responses are honest but not preachy — they state a clear "no" while preserving dignity for both people.

Where Are You Right Now?

1

Developing

Makes decisions based on what's easiest or most convenient. Avoids decisions that feel uncomfortable. May go along with others without evaluating the choice.

2

Approaching

Tries to make good decisions but sometimes acts impulsively or fails to consider longer-term consequences. May seek others' approval before committing.

3

Meeting Expectations

Considers options and consequences before acting. Makes decisions aligned with organizational values. Owns the outcomes — including when things go wrong.

4

Exceeding Expectations

Makes principled decisions under pressure. Uses a clear framework. Explains reasoning transparently. Helps others think through difficult decisions. Builds trust consistently through decision quality.

Mark This Skill Complete

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