Real-Life Decision Making
Animal trainers who work at aquariums and zoos often work in large teams.
Working with a large group of people can be challenging.
Trainers must communicate and interact with one another. It
is important to be respectful of the various personalities and open to different
ideas. When it comes to training animals, there are many different techniques.
Michele Cossa is a dolphin trainer at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida.
She says trainers must respect each other's ideas and rely on their own experience.
You're a dolphin trainer. You've been working with a dolphin today trying
to teach her to do a back flip. She hasn't been getting it. You've stuck to
it, but you're starting to think she is getting tired. You're thinking about
giving it a rest and trying again tomorrow.
You decide to finish up, but one of your fellow trainers asks you what
you're doing. You tell him that you think the dolphin is tired. You're going
to try again tomorrow. He disagrees with your decision. He thinks if you give
up now you'll reinforce the idea that not being successful is acceptable.
You respect your co-worker's opinion. He has been working with the same
animals for many years. But you have experience with this particular dolphin.
In your experience, she is more focused in the mornings. In the afternoons
she seems to slow down.
You don't want to disrespect your co-worker or start an argument. However,
you don't think the dolphin will cooperate with you this afternoon.
What do you do?