Sir Andrew Likierman wrote an article for Harvard Business Review titled The Elements of Good Judgment.
« A manager’s core function is to exercise judgment—to form views and interpret ambiguous evidence in a way that will lead to a good decision. »
« This article identified six components that contribute to good judgment: learning, trust, experience, detachment, options, and delivery. »
« Judgment—the ability to combine personal qualities with relevant knowledge and experience to form opinions and make decisions—is “the core of exemplary leadership” according to Noel Tichy and Warren Bennis (the authors of Judgment: How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls). It is what enables a sound choice in the absence of clear-cut, relevant data or an obvious path. »
« Good judgment requires that you turn knowledge into understanding. »
« People with good judgment are skeptical of information that doesn’t make sense. »
« Unfortunately, many CEOs and entrepreneurs bring people on board who simply echo and validate them… The historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, in her book Team of Rivals, noted that Abraham Lincoln assembled a cabinet of experts he respected but who didn’t always agree with one another. »
« Experience gives context and helps us identify potential solutions and anticipate challenges. »
« It’s critical that you understand and address your own biases… The ability to detach, both intellectually and emotionally, is therefore a vital component of good judgment. »
« In making a decision, a leader is often expected to choose between at least two options, formulated and presented by their advocates. But smart leaders don’t accept that those choices are all there is… Press for clarification on poorly presented information, and challenge your people if you think important facts are missing. »
« A pause for reflection may well make you less likely to be swept along by anger or fear and more likely to ask for additional evidence, consider reframing the question, formulate new options, or reevaluate whether a project is feasible. »
« Factor in the feasibility of execution. »
Articles of Interest 