Michael A. RobertoCritiques

This book is a pretty good overview of the theory of decision making, going into both individual decision making (pretty cursorily) and extensively into some organizational decision making and problems. There were some good case studies and examples used in the organization section (especially failures, such as NASA Challenger and Columbia) — the book isn’t as useful for a problem-focused manager in the short term, though; it is a bit more academic and theoretical than a how-to. Pretty good, though.

I was not in the mood for this book.

I expected more from this book. Essentially you must ask questions, share information, encourage your team to take smart risks, and incorporate after-action reviews into your routines. I did enjoy the section on "Listening". Winston Churchill once said, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
Overall this book doesn't uncover any groundbreaking information on problem solving, and I found the extensive citations at the end of each chapter annoying. They would have been fine at the end of the book, where I could easily skip them. It caused the book to feel more like a college textbook instead of a motivating business book I could recommend to others.

An excellent argument for encouraging constructive conflict in the workplace. Interesting to read, but I believe potentially difficult to implement. From a managerial perspective, however, well worth trying, especially if the workplace is particularly stale.

An excellent insight into problem finding and how to establish the environment that encourages information sharing, blameless analysis and speaking out about problems and issues so that they are addressed and not marginalised and ignored.

Interesting book about knowledge gathering for middle and upper management. Was a bit disappointed though because the authors audiobook (Critical Decision Making :: The Learning Company), which I already knew (and highly value 5/5) is far more exhaustive in scope and depth and covers about two thirds of this book which made it a bit of a repetitive read for me.

A Pernicious and Perennial Problem
Last fall, following 86 years of heartache, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series. Two months later, Theo Epstein, the team’s general manager, opted on to met a $50 million dollar from Omar Minaya, the new general manager of the New York Mets to Pedro Martinez, considered by many to be the heart and sole of his team.

Mets fans were ecstatic; Red Sox fans expressed mixed emotions. Martinez’s skills clearly had begun to erode; yet it would be next to impossible to replace his battling determination.

It will be years before anyone can clearly assess which general manager made the correct decision.

Michael Roberto, a Harvard Business School faculty member, in this insightful book argues Minaya and Epstein are not alone. In all types of organizations, leaders often have to wait long time periods to see the results of their decisions. The core premise of his book is that a quality process enhances the probability of achieving a positive outcome.

A quality process, according to the author involves more than sound analytics. It involves the astute management of the emotional, political and social aspects of decision making. To wit:

• Have you considered multiple alternatives?
• Have you surfaced and tested your assumptions?
• Did dissenting views emerge during your deliberations?
• Are you building high levels of commitment and shared understanding?

Roberto argues and then demonstrates how leaders cultivate constructive conflict to enhance critical and divergent thinking. This means managing the tension between conflict and consensus. Secondly, he argues leaders need to spend time “deciding how to decide.” High-quality processes require forethought. Ensure your desire for a solution to a critical and complex problem employs more than a single-minded solution. Time spent “deciding how to decide” will increase the possibility of walking the fine line between conflict and consensus.

As for the Mets and the Red Sox, my vote goes with Theo Epstein. I am a Yankee fan. I was happy to see a great pitcher head for the other league.