Theory of Constraints Handbook - James Cox Iii [712]
Win-win solution: My son checked again with his advisor to determine exactly which courses remained to be taken, when they were offered, and when he could take them based on having the prerequisite courses for starting the co-op program in the spring, summer, and fall quarters. He found that it would add two years (go to school in the spring and fall and [start] co-op in the summer and winter quarters) to his current graduation date under the best situation and 3+ years under the worst case (co-op in the spring quarter, when the job was extended, go to summer school, and co-op in the fall). Given this information, he talked to the company personnel and decided the proposed co-op position was not a good situation at present.
Father-Son “Drinking Age” Dilemma (College)
Situation: My wife and I do not serve alcohol in our home. I occasionally drink socially. We do not serve or drink alcohol to set a good example for our children. How can I tell them not to drink and drive and then do it, or even worse, how can I serve alcohol to guests in my home knowing that they must drive home afterward? We have always told them, “Never drink and drive. And never let a friend drink and drive. Call us, we will pick you up at any hour, no questions asked.”
My son was to turn 21 on the weekend of the Auburn University (he went to AU) versus University of Georgia (I taught at UGA) football game. The game was in Athens, GA (our home) so he wanted to bring nine fraternity brothers to spend the weekend with him. He wanted to serve alcohol to them at his party in our home. We knew that they would party that weekend with or without our permission at local bars. Please read the cloud in Fig. 38-1f carefully to understand each person’s assumptions and his suggested injection.
Win-win solution: We developed a set of strict rules for serving alcohol in our home.
1. My son must enforce the rules—he is an adult and is responsible for the safety of his guests.
2. He will card each friend to ensure that he is 21. He will not let anyone below 21 drink.
3. He will monitor the drinking of each friend.
4. He will not let anyone who has been drinking drive.
5. He will inform his friends of these rules before they come into our home.
Father-Son “Las Vegas” Dilemma (College)
Situation: My son called home to see if he could go to Las Vegas with his friends. After listening patiently to the situation, we heard, “Can I go?” His roommates (nice young guys) were going to Las Vegas with one of the roommate’s father and uncle. They had rooms at a great hotel and it would be four college students and two adult males. Please read the cloud in Fig. 38-1g carefully to understand each person’s assumptions and his suggested injection.
Win-win solution. My son goes to Las Vegas with four rules.
1. He is going with three college friends and two parents.
2. He is staying at a great hotel.
3. He is paying for it.
4. He calls prior to leaving, at arrival, departure, and return to Auburn. He also calls immediately if any problems arise.
Father-Son “Poor Grades” Dilemma (College)
Situation: My son is a rising senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. He joined a fraternity his freshman year and at times I think he is more interested in fraternizing than studying. He started well academically and has continually declined in grades over the past three years. We have continually argued about his lack of studying. He continually blames his teachers for his poor grades. Being a teacher myself, I realize that some teachers are bad, but my son cannot be getting all of them. I blame him for his poor grades. I recognize that if he does not change his behavior he will not graduate, he will graduate but not be able to get a job in his field, or he will get a job but be unable to function. Every situation looked bad to me. His future is not happy, how can I change the situation? Please read the cloud in Fig. 38-1h carefully to understand each person’s assumptions and his suggested injection.
Win-win solution: By mutual agreement among AU, my son, and