Lessons learned from the movie “Eye in the Sky”

In our last class of Analysis of Business Problems (ABP), we reviewed the movie titled “Eye in the Sky”. The movie is a thought-provoking 2015 British thriller that shows the complexities of decision-making in our everyday lives. It highlights how even the most well-intentioned decisions can have unintended consequences that we may not have initially considered. The film does an excellent job of exploring the intricate web of factors that can influence our decision-making, such as our values, beliefs, emotions, and external pressures. In this article, we will take a closer look at how the movie illustrates these intricacies and what we can learn from it.

The film centers around a drone operation that is intended to capture a group of terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. However, as the operation progresses, unexpected complications arise that create a moral and ethical dilemma for the officials involved. The drone identifies a young girl selling bread near the terrorists’ hideout, and the officials are faced with a difficult decision: should they proceed with the drone strike and potentially kill the innocent girl, or abandon the mission and risk the terrorists carrying out an attack that could harm many more people?

This dilemma raises a plethora of intricate and interrelated factors that the officials must consider. For example, the film shows how their values and beliefs can impact their decision-making. The officials, particularly the British and American officials, have different opinions on the value of human life, the ethics of drone warfare, and the importance of their mission. These differences create tension and conflict between them as they struggle to reach a consensus.

Moreover, the film illustrates how external pressures, such as political and legal considerations, can influence decision-making. The officials are under pressure from their superiors to make a decision quickly, and they are also mindful of the potential legal repercussions if something goes wrong. These pressures can distort their judgment and lead them to make decisions that prioritize expediency and compliance over moral and ethical considerations.

The movie also highlights the role of emotions in decision-making. The officials are faced with a highly emotional situation that involves the potential loss of innocent life. These emotions can cloud their judgment and lead them to make decisions that are driven by fear, anger, or guilt. The film shows how emotions can be both a hindrance and a help to decision-making. On one hand, they can impede clear thinking and rationality. On the other hand, they can provide the motivation and empathy necessary to make difficult decisions.

Finally, the film shows how decision-making is a collaborative process that involves communication and negotiation. The officials must work together to find a solution that addresses everyone’s concerns and values. This requires open and honest communication, active listening, and a willingness to compromise. However, the film also illustrates how communication breakdowns can lead to misunderstandings and misjudgments that can have disastrous consequences.

In conclusion, “Eye in the Sky” is a powerful film that illuminates the intricacies surrounding decision-making in our everyday lives. It shows how the decisions we make are influenced by a complex web of factors, including our values, beliefs, emotions, and external pressures. The film also highlights the importance of communication and collaboration in decision-making and the consequences that can arise when these processes break down. Ultimately, the film serves as a reminder that the decisions we make can have far-reaching consequences, and we must always strive to make decisions that are guided by our moral and ethical principles.