The Neuroscience of Decision Making

Written By Paulette Risher, Major General, U.S. Army (retired)
 
 

In our roles as leaders, managers, and human beings, the quality of the decisions we make is influenced to a significant degree by our neurobiology.  Over 90% of our thinking is outside of our conscious awareness!  Understanding the basics of neuroscience can enable us to make better decisions and therefore, live lives of great impact and well-being. 

This presentation was prepared for the Leadership of Greater Huntsville's Management Academy and has been delivered with continued update for over five years.   Variations of the presentation have been provided to such diverse groups such as VA mental health providers, nonprofit staffs, and corporate staffs as part of professional development series. Please feel free to download this presentation for your personal use.  If you would like more information, please reach out at:  Paulette@LearningfortheJourney.com

The Neuroscience of Decision Making
Paulette Risher, Major General, U.S. Army (retired)

Paulette Risher is three-times retired, once as a civilian Organizational Psychologist with the United States Air Force and once as a Major General (2-Star) in the United States Army. With 34 years of active and reserve service, Paulette had the honor of being first woman to serve in U.S. Special Operations Command as a general officer. In 2023, Paulette retired again after serving as the President/CEO and the Chief Programs Officer of Still Serving Veterans (SSV), a Huntsville-based non-profit dedicated to serving Veterans.

Today, Paulette works through her sole practitioner consulting practice, Learning for the Journey, LLC, which she established in 2009. Paulette is committed to helping individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses create human thriving and professional impact. Learning for the Journey, LLC is an SBA-certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business and registered government contractor.

Paulette is a lifelong learner. She holds a BS and MA in Psychology, as well as an MEd with a focus on workplace learning and educational technology. Paulette is a graduate of both the Army War College and the Air War College.

Paulette serves as the Co-Chair of the Alabama Challenge for the Prevention of Veteran Suicide and as the Vice-Chair of Veteran Mental Health Steering Committee. In 2022, Paulette was awarded the Alabama Distinguished Service Medal, the State’s highest civilian award, by Governor Ivey, for her dedicated service to the Veterans of Alabama. In 2025, Paulette received the LtCol Robert M Horton, Jr. Memorial Service award from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organizations Coalitions (NAVFOC) Lifetime Achievement Award.

https://learningforthejourney.com
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