Decision_Making_Process

Decision-Making Process Paper Decision-Making Process Paper In September 2005 I was faced with a personal and professional decision that was a bit over whelming. I was working as an Air Force Recruiter in Little Rock, Arkansas and faced with having to relocate, retiring, or accepting a job that was less than appealing. I was recently divorced and had a two-year-old daughter living in Dallas, Texas. I was a five-year recruiting veteran and was informed that my next recruiting job would be as a recruiting supervisor, formally known as a “Flight Chief.” This position was not desired by many as the supervisor was expected to make monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals. Often time if they did not, it usually resulted in their dismissal. Recruiting was stressful but the supervisor position was more stressful. I really wanted to be a part of my daughter’s life and my ex-wife really wanted to reconcile. I too, questioned if I had given my marriage a fair chance and became excited about the possibility of making it work. I must admit I had concerns about the marriage and the job option. What if the reconciliation became stressful and heightened the stress of the recruiting supervisor position. I was really concerned about failing at both. I had to sit down and think this thing out. I had to make sure I was making the best decision for everyone involved. My relationship with my ex-wife was volatile at times and I wondered if distance was the best thing for us. I was living five hours away and usually visited at least twice per month. I sat down with a pen and pad and began to weigh the pros and cons of the situation. I had to decide if I wanted to relocate, take a job I did not want, and be in proximity to my ex-wife (identify and diagnosing the problem). If I decided against this my relationship with my daughter would surely suffer. I could retire and find another job in another city, I could take the job and give 110% to ensure my success and move to a sister city not too close to my ex-wife, or move to Dallas and remarry my ex-wife (generating alternatives). I considered the alternatives and sought to decide what would be the best choice (evaluating alternatives). I would need a job and if I took the job I would be moved at copy expense, have time to find a place to live, continue receiving a salary, and have the opportunity to be a full-time father. I decided by taking the job I would be able to have everything I wanted and not have the stress of finding a job (making the choice). Once my decision was made I had to notify my supervisor and Headquarters, Air Force Recruiting Service of my decision. I had to make my intentions known, sign a letter of intent, and extend my enlistment for three years. I had to contact the traffic management office to make arrangements to have my household goods shipped (implementing the decision). I relocated to Irving, Texas and worked in Arlington, Texas. My daughter resided in Cedar Hill, Texas, about a 45-minute drive with traffic. The job was demanding and rewarding. I was very successful as a supervisor and managed seven recruiters. I was single-handily responsible for their success. I was able to establish great rapport in the community and have a lot of fun doing it. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made (evaluating the decision). When making this decision I was unaware that I was using a method for decision-making. My decision-making process allowed me to explore every avenue of the situation. I feel that this process helped me make the best decision for my daughter and me. If I had not used this method may be the challenge of the job alone would have deterred my decision. When I factored the job and my daughter it really helped me step up to the challenge.