<p>'Federal agents had been killed. Some of the cult members were either killed or wounded. We weren&#39;t sure how many people inside were hostages or how many were there of their own free will.&nbsp;I had to decide. I was on the line with the&nbsp;cult-leader. I had to try to convince him to release the children who were inside. What should I say? How sould I communicate with this mad man? How could I keep my feelings in check? How could I be sure that what I said wouldn&#39;t cause a blood bath?'</p><p>How do we make critical&nbsp;decisions? How do we avoid costly mistakes?&nbsp;</p><p>Nearly all bad decisions are preventable.</p><p>One Stupid Mistake: Smart Decision-Making in a Crazy World offers a simple framework for identifying the thoughts, words and actions that cause us&nbsp;to make poor decisions.&nbsp;</p><p>Stupid mistakes can ruin a&nbsp;life. Understanding&nbsp;mistakes and the reasons we&nbsp;make them helps&nbsp;chart a bettter course as we&nbsp;navigate our crazy world.</p><p>You may never have to negotiate with a cult leader. You may not face a life or death situation tomorrow, but wouldn&#39;t you like to learn how to make smart decisions in a crisis situation before that situation develops?</p><p>In down-to-earth, easy-to-read language, the author tells short stories about real people making real decisions, the kinds of decisions you make every day. Then he&nbsp;offers concise solutions&nbsp;and meditations aimed at growing a happier and healthier you. Most important, you&#39;ll learn how to make better choices to avoid that One Stupid Mistake that can ruin a life.&nbsp;</p>