Feel the Back of Your Chair

A friend who trains Air Traffic Controllers explained how he walks behind his trainees as they practise making decisions that stop aircraft from bumping into each other and falling from the sky

A high tempo, high stakes job.

If one of his students is leaning forward and staring into their screen, he places his hand on their shoulder and gently eases them back into their chair.

Another friend with a Masters in Alternative Dispute Resolution explained how she trained mediators to help people in conflict move beyond their dispute. She said it’s important for a mediator to remain engaged with, but removed from the emotions of the parties.

‘I tell my students ‘Feel the back of your chair’.

Step One of The Five Steps to Good Decision Making: Step Back.