Fact-Based Decision Making. Michael Myers Friday. Any Answers? Catch A Wave.
- Quote of the Week: “You can’t make good decisions unless you have good information and can separate facts from opinion and speculation.” – Colin Powell
What Colin Powell, the former General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was referring to was fact-based decision making (FBDM). FBDM is a process that strongly emphasizes the collection and the quality of the right data to provide someone with data and facts to make a decision. Many CEOs state that FBDM leads to better decisions and outcomes, and with personal life, making informed choices with the right data leads to better family decisions. FBDM is an approach that uses and leverages accurate information to guide actions and decisions in both professional and personal situations.
Has there ever been a better time to separate the false news, misinformation, and fabricated information coming from social media and media outlets? The weaponized and politicized ‘fake news’ is widespread and there is no end in sight. This scene from the fantastic movie Hidden Figures represents fact-based decision making in many ways, including Katherine’s request to attend the briefing so she can hear, collect, and put the data and information discussed to use the best way…resulting in the right decision calculating complex equations determining a critical mission parameter.
- The last time Halloween was on a Friday was back in 2014, and it will not be on a Friday again until 2031. The impact of October 31st and Halloween continues to grow, with the National Retail Federation reporting that spending for decorations, costumes, candy, and greeting cards will exceed $11.6 billion. Wear your costume well, be safe, and enjoy a scary movie. There have been many Halloween horror movie theme songs, but this one from John Carpenter is still disturbing.
Questions for the Last Sunday of October 2025
- Is anyone surprised that President Trump canceled the scheduled meeting Vladimir Putin in Budapest? In last week’s post, I asked what the real reason Putin wanted to meet with President Trump. The answer is obvious: For no reason.
- Will oil sanctions imposed by the U.S. force Putin to the negotiating table?
- Who will be the next mayor of New York City?
- The indictments handed down last week to an NBA coach, player, and former player. “Operation Nothing But Bet” – a crackdown on illegal betting or a witch hunt to send a big message?
- If your brain is awake while sleeping, but dreaming, what is your brain doing if you are not dreaming? Anyone? Bueller?
- Why and how does Jamaica and Haiti seem to always be in the path of devastating weather?
- SpaceX launched its 139th mission of the year last week. Wait until the other private space exploration entities ramp up their missions. Will NASA need to govern space similar to the FAA managing our air space?
- How and why does the Louvre not have a massive amount of security? This robbery had some semblance of an ‘inside job’ as the bad guys made this heist look so easy. There is one and only one law enforcement officer who can find the thieves:
Thank you for your answers to last week’s Question of the Week: You have a free airline ticket and you can travel for only five days. You have until mid-March to use the ticket. Where are you going and why?
- Go to San Francisco. If I went it would be to visit a high school friend.
- It would be tough to do in five days but go to Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.
- Drive the Pacific Coast Highway (the PCH).
- Portugal. (for five days?)
- Santa Fe and Sedona due to the temperatures between now and March.
- Scotland, to drink Scotch and look at castles….in that order. 🙂
- Tulum. More peaceful than Cancun.
Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What is the most irrational or strange superstition you have?
Pure Talent. Nazare is seaside village located between Porto and Lisbon in Portugal. Nazare is known for its massive waves during the months between October and March, bringing thousands to this small town to witness surfers challenging the dangerous and massive waves. Some waves surfers have navigated are over one hundred feet…Pure Talent in unique form.