Gallery Presentation International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

How can we teach people to learn decision-making skills that are built on a collaborative backbone, that uplift empathy and understanding while holistically solving for complex problems? That’s where the AREA Method comes in. AREA is an acronym for the steps of a perspective-taking decision-making system that I developed and have been teaching for over a decade that focuses on controlling for and countering cognitive biases by expanding the decision-maker’s knowledge while focusing on the incentives of others and improving judgment.

In the spring of 2020 programming engaged with over 5,000 individuals, and organizations globally from a variety of diverse backgrounds, geographies and ages. Programming included academic and industry conferences, classes, workshops, webinars, and presentations for start-up companies in industries ranging from workplace design thinking to biodegradable clothing to infrastructure assessment. government agencies and foreign service officers, civil society and other nonprofits, university undergraduate and graduate participants worldwide.

Programming results showed that, after learning to use the AREA Method participants:

• Were more confident decision-makers
• Believed they were learning a real-world life skill
• Knew how to implement a plan to reach their desired decision outcome
• Gained awareness that their relationships with others impacted their decision-making
• Were able to take strategic stops to prevent assumption and judgment and to confront cognitive biases when making a high-stakes decision
• Personally employed and taught others the Decisive AREA Method skills

I would like to present my work, evaluation and findings about teaching AREA and decision-making and its sustained impact on how people perceive their agency and ability to take on challenges now that they know how to solve complex problems in a way that honors and uplifts stakeholder relationships.