Goal-Setting And Decision-Making Page 13
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25Decision-Making
Introduction
Decision-making may not always be an easy task for adolescents (e.g., staying out late with
friends the night before exams). The mentor’s role is to advise mentees that they need to be the
key decision-maker under any circumstances. Mentees will also need to learn to acknowledge
the responsibilities that go along with those decisions. With that in mind, the “Eight Steps in
Making a Decision” (Robbins, 1991) will help guide the mentees to make rational decisions.
• State the problem objectively. (Define what is happening.)
• Gather information about the problem. (Do not try to solve problem.)
• List pros and cons of the problem.
• Develop alternatives. (Do not force yourself into only one choice, and be sure that each
• solution solves the problem.)
• Analyze alternatives. (Look at pros and cons.)
• Select an alternative. (Mentee makes a decision based on what is best for him/her in this
• situation, keeping the goal in mind.)
• Implement the alternative. (Test.)
• Evaluate end results of decision made. (Make changes as necessary.)
If mentee follows through these steps with assistance from mentor often enough, the mentee will
become familiar with the process and will be capable of applying it to any future complicated
decision.
There are three different types of decision-making styles: Inactive, Reactive, and Proactive.
An inactive decision-maker is someone who fails to make choices. A mentee who has this style
of decision-making usually procrastinates until a future time because of indecision. Eventually,
one option merely plays itself out. Mentees who have this style have difficulty developing self-
confidence, and feel that they have no control of their destiny.
A reactive-decision maker is someone who allows peers, siblings, parents, etc. to make the
decision for them. Mentees with this style are easily influenced by what others think, do, or
suggest. They are easily persuaded by peer-pressure, develop a negative self-esteem, and have a
need to be liked by others. Mentors should not make decisions without the participation of the
mentee; otherwise, the mentee’s needs and wants go unfulfilled.
A proactive-decision maker is someone who follows the eight steps of decision-making and
assumes responsibility for the consequences. In this case, the mentee takes on responsibility
rather than being driven by circumstances and conditions or being influenced by others. Mentees
with this style of decision-making often experience a feeling of empowerment or inspiration
because they know that they are in control of their own destinies.
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Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
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