Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You try to reason with Simpson.
You decide to stick to your recommendation of covered vats. This is the
real-life decision that Loren Bode, an agricultural engineer in Illinois,
would have made in this situation.
"You have to make many decisions in a day," says Bode. "Communications
skills come into this when you need to convey your decision to others. You
have to be able to communicate your decision in a positive and instructive
way."
You realize Simpson isn't convinced that the new system will produce
the same quality of tomatoes as she made at home. To help convince her, you
offer her a sample of the stewed tomato recipe made with this new system.
Simpson is convinced after she tastes the product.
You can't compromise on safety. "You need to have the ability to analyze
the available facts, determine several alternatives, and still be able to
make a decision on the best solution," says Bode.
"Decision making is the heart of what an agricultural engineer
does, but you also need to be able to communicate why something is a good
decision."