Real-Life Decision Making
You've been on the auto racing mechanic circuit for a while now and have
started to make a bit of a name for yourself. However, there are still others
who consider you the new kid on the block. You're eager to prove yourself
-- and to prove wrong anyone who doubts your abilities.
During a race, you're in charge of making sure the car's tires are at their
proper psi and running smoothly. (Psi stands for "pounds per
square inch," and is a way of measuring the amount of air in the tire.)
The driver has been struggling with another driver for pole position. It's
neck-in-neck and your driver pulls in for a pit stop at the same time as the
other driver does. As you're looking at the tires, you cast a quick glance
over and see the other driver pull out and get back on the track.
You give your driver the OK, but then realize you misread the psi reading
on the last tire. You were distracted watching the other driver. It's not
much, but that one tire could use a bit more air in it.
If you tell the driver to go, the deflated tire could cost him the race.
If you tell him to hold on a second, you'd be admitting that you've made a
mistake -- something you don't want your peers to see.
What do you do?