Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
Question 1
Max Bazerman’s book, Judgment in Managerial Decision Making, has a lot of positives that could be captured from its main topic. The topic teaches readers different concepts and practices of leadership that exist in different settings (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). According to critics, whereas numerous leaders show distinct characteristics, great leaders have similar characteristics of success. Prominent leaders should inspire motivation and confidence in their followers. Above all, researchers suggest that community building and shared values are the basis or grounds for great leadership. This book offers insight to this topic of the concepts and practices of leadership (Bazerman & Moore, 2008).
Leaders or managers are not born but made. The book argues that, in order to become a successful leader, an individual must have the knowledge, experience, patience, willpower, and most significantly the skill to convince others, the staff. The foundation of a successful leadership is a strong character, as well as selfless devotion, to an organization. Leadership, in an employee’s eyes, is everything that his or her leader does, which impacts the achievement of goals and wellbeing of workers and organization (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). Admirable leaders give much significance to, what they discern, what they are, in addition to what they do, for their organizations. To be reliable is essential for all kinds of organized human associations, whether these are religion, military, nation, states, or countries, business and other kinds of organizations.
Even though, basic concepts and guidelines of leadership are proposed by diverse scholar and researchers, they are equally significant for non-profit organizations, as well (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). Nevertheless, research on management, in non-profit firms, specifically, is limited. However, these firms have crucial roles in the betterment of economy and society, as well.
Question 2
The writers, Max Bazerman and Don Moore, have successfully employed explicit poetic and historical examples to help them in passing their messages to the readers. Nevertheless, elements of weaknesses are present in the book. Numerous sections of the writing are tough to read. This is because of the academic orientation and background that the book incorporates. The authors, on some occasions, used technical terms, which might confuse a vast majority of readers (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). They, on the other hand, identify various flaws that are present in young leaders, but do not succeed in offering them advice. There is no need of telling people their problem and not telling them how they could overcome them. Furthermore, Max Bazerman solely blames top leaders for all the issues, which occur in society. He goes on to use numerous political examples that might seem somewhat boring to a number of readers (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). This writing was required for a class I am taking. Therefore, I had no questions prior to the acquisition. I think it has extremely superior concepts, but is harder to understand than other text I have read. There are numerous references, in the reading, which appear to break into the flow and cause it not to be interpreted as smooth as I would have expected.
Not everyone who makes business decisions should read this book, but only persons who are well acquainted with its themes. Since the book is a university textbook, it is not quite readable. Only individuals who are serious about understanding leadership concepts can understand the book. Even though, the authors were trying to attract numerous readers to the book, they put it, in complex language, to explain the topic, which, at some point, ended up confusing me.
Question 3
After going through this manuscript, a number of things became clear. Readers discover that virtually all individuals can decide to be leaders. This is with regards to the author’s description of a leader. He describes a leader as someone who has the ability to mobilize or influence others to pursue an objective (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). The topic advocates for numerous aspects, which individuals should put into consideration to be effective leaders. It influences readers to portray leader-like traits by employing their own skills while correcting challenges, which bedevil them. The author describes this as dispersed leadership (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). Readers are also able to discover that it is not the effort or time, used by leaders in effecting changes, which matters, but what is essential is the success that lies ahead. In other words, leaders should be fighters and not people who give in easily. Most importantly, Bazerman posits that there are two aspects of leadership, which every leader should consider. These include motivation and goal setting. To achieve goals, leaders have to utilize a multiplicity of ways (Bazerman & Moore, 2008).
Finally, the readers learn that for success to be attained there must be an aspect of motivation. Prominent leaders should always devise a method of motivating their followers and instigate a sense of discipline in them so as to achieve the shared goals (Bazerman & Moore, 2008). Also, readers learn that teaching is the most fundamental factor, which they can add in their list of leadership skills. A leader who uses these elements effectively has often been portrayed as an exceptional leader.
Reference
Bazerman, M., & Moore, D. (2008). Judgment in managerial decision making (7th ed.). San Francisco: Wiley Publishers.
