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Decision-Making

Blending Art & Science

Why do smart people sometimes think they are right when they are very, very wrong? Our brains are designed to make quick decisions, and sometimes we miss out on what’s really going on. Knowing this, Professor Sydney Finkelstein walks you through the neuroscience behind decision-making, and teaches you to make conscious decisions that are right for you at work and in life. By teaching you to reflect and move forward even better than before, Professor Finkelstein will help you to be the best you possibly can at whatever you do.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The Emotional Brain, Bias, and Decision-Making

Experience and Expertise

Emotional Tags in Action

Putting It All Together: How to be the Great Decision-Maker You Want to Be

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops an understanding of the neuroscience of decision-making. This is helpful for making better decisions at work and in life

This course is suitable for learners at all levels

Taught by Sydney Finkelstein, a professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business

Covers the latest research on decision-making from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and economics

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science with these activities:

Read "Thinking, Fast and Slow"

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This book provides insights into the cognitive biases and decision-making processes covered in the course.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Complete the practice exercises and discussion questions included in the book.

Cognitive Biases Exercises

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Completing these exercises will help you strengthen your understanding of cognitive biases and how they impact decision-making.

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Find online quizzes or exercises specifically designed to test your ability to identify and understand cognitive biases.
Take the quizzes or complete the exercises regularly to reinforce your learning.
Reflect on the results of your exercises and identify areas where you can improve your understanding or ability to recognize cognitive biases.

Form a Decision-Making Study Group

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Collaborating with peers can provide diverse perspectives and enhance your understanding of decision-making concepts.

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Identify fellow students who are interested in forming a study group focused on decision-making.
Establish regular meeting times and a schedule for discussing course materials and assignments.
Take turns leading discussions, presenting key concepts, and facilitating exercises.
Provide constructive feedback and support to each other.

Four other activities

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Develop a Decision-Making Case Study

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This activity will allow you to apply the concepts of decision-making and cognitive biases to real-world situations.

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Identify a specific decision-making scenario or case study that you find interesting or relevant to your field of study or work.
Research the scenario thoroughly, gathering information from various sources such as articles, books, or expert opinions.
Analyze the scenario using the concepts and techniques covered in the course, identifying the cognitive biases and decision-making heuristics that may have influenced the decision-making process.
Develop recommendations or alternative decision-making strategies that could have led to better outcomes.
Write a comprehensive report or presentation that outlines your analysis and recommendations.

Attend a Decision-Making Workshop

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Attending a workshop can provide hands-on experience and insights from experts in the field of decision-making.

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Research and identify workshops or conferences focused on decision-making or related topics.
Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
Attend the workshop, participate actively in discussions and exercises.
Follow up after the workshop by implementing the techniques and strategies learned.

Develop a Decision-Making Toolkit

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Creating a toolkit will help you consolidate your knowledge and develop practical tools for improving your decision-making skills.

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Brainstorm a list of decision-making tools and techniques that you have learned in the course and from other sources.
Research and gather additional information on these tools and techniques.
Create a physical or digital toolkit that includes descriptions, examples, and instructions for using each tool.
Test and refine your toolkit by applying it to real-world decision-making scenarios.

Participate in a Decision-Making Competition

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Participating in a competition can challenge you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical and engaging way.

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Identify and register for decision-making competitions or case competitions.
Prepare for the competition by reviewing course materials, practicing decision-making exercises, and seeking guidance from experts.
Participate in the competition and strive to demonstrate your decision-making abilities.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Marketing Manager

As a marketing manager, you're responsible for the development and implementation of marketing campaigns. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from target audience to budget allocation. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Project Manager

As a project manager, you're responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from resource allocation to risk management. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sales Manager

As a sales manager, you're responsible for the development and implementation of sales strategies. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from lead generation to customer relationship management. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Product Manager

As a product manager, you're responsible for the development and launch of new products. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from market research to product design. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Operations Manager

As an operations manager, you're responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from inventory management to customer service. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Consultant

As a consultant, you're responsible for providing advice to clients on a variety of business issues. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from market research to financial analysis. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Investment Banker

As an investment banker, you're responsible for advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial transactions. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from valuation to risk management. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Venture Capitalist

As a venture capitalist, you're responsible for investing in early-stage companies. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from market opportunity to team quality. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Chief Technology Officer

As a CTO, you're responsible for the technology infrastructure of the company. This means you need to be able to make decisions about how to implement new technologies. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer

Chief Executive Officer

As a CEO, you're responsible for making decisions that affect the entire company. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure. You'll learn about the neuroscience behind decision-making, and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Private Equity Investor

As a private equity investor, you're responsible for investing in companies and helping them grow. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from due diligence to exit strategy. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Investor

Chief Operating Officer

As a COO, you're responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. This means you need to be able to make quick decisions, even when you don't have all the information. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

As a CFO, you're responsible for the financial health of the company. This means you need to be able to make sound financial decisions. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

As a CMO, you're responsible for the marketing and branding of the company. This means you need to be able to make decisions about how to reach your target audience. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Marketing Officer

General Manager

As a general manager, you're responsible for the overall operations of a specific business unit. This means you need to be able to make decisions about everything from staffing to marketing. The course, Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science, can help you develop the skills you need to make better decisions, even under pressure.

See salaries and explore the career path for General Manager

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science.

Noise

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Delves into the two systems of thinking, providing insights into how our minds make decisions and judgments. It complements the course's exploration of the neuroscience behind decision-making.

Decision-Making

Blending Art & Science

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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