Part 1: What did you like about the topic? What struck you as interesting? Why did the topic stimulate positive emotion?
I like the way that this book scientifically approached managerial decision making through strategies and training. I also like the real decision examples cited in the book because it is very illustrative and applicable to any budding decision maker in the realm of management.
The most interesting part of the book is the focus on both the scientific and the personalized concepts of managerial decision making, the decision making process and the motivational biases in managerial decision making. Undeniably, these parallel topics are presented in this book. These aspects can be applied in various studies such as in organizational behavior, economics, and psychology, among others.
It stimulated positive emotions and attitudes since it illustrated many actual decisions and various ideas for decision making from a personal and group perspectives. It also inspires people that even when there are personal biases, they can make the most ethical, effective and sound decisions. A major aspect of managerial work is to carefully judge various organizational and life situations with good judgments and timely decisions. I am inspired t think that while many people think that some people are born as natural decision makers, quality management can be made possible by careful study and proper training and/or coaching.
What did you not like about the topic? Why did the topic stimulate negative emotion?
The topic which I really did not like is the influences of personal biases to one person in his every day dealings and decisions. It is very sad to know that people are really prejudiced and they base their decisions instinctively through personal appeals and innate biases. This is a sad realization because it makes one realize that he/she has victimized another individual, without knowing it. For instance, a manager might have made false judgment about the action of a subordinate and the decision may have been based on his/her wrong notion or misconception about the person.
This realization brings a negative feeling because any superior-subordinate relationship may be biased, at one point or another. There is a judgment call in every situation but each situation may allow our own biases to be more influential than the most rational decision.
What did you learn? Summarize your major take aways and intellectual sound bites.
Decision making plays a vital role in managerial life.
Personal biases and uncertainties cloud our decisions.
Decision making can be learned.
Proper training can provide important improvement on the quality of managerial judgment.
There are strategies to improve one’s decision making process.
Do not be taken by your own opinion because you might be very wrong.
Never assume that a manager always knows best.
It is important to know where you are coming from, especially when judging a highly personalized and sensitive issue.
Consult other people when you are doubting your decision.
As a take home, I believe that future decision makings should always be better than previous decisions.
Reference:
Bazerman, M. (March, 2005). Judgment in Managerial Decision Making / Edition 6. New York: Wiley, John and Sons, Inc.
