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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Judgement at Work summary
Andrew Likierman
Making Better Choices
18 mins
Brief summary
Judgement at Work by Andrew Likierman explores the critical role judgement plays in business decisions. It offers insights into how leaders can improve their decision-making skills by integrating experience, knowledge, and balanced assessment of information.
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Judgement at Work
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There’s a fine balance between judgment, risk, and success
On January 15, 2009, Captain Chesley Sullenberger had only seconds to react when both engines on US Airways Flight 1549 failed. With no power and limited options, he made a split-second decision to land the aircraft in the Hudson River, saving everyone on board. His success wasn’t luck – it was the result of exceptional judgment.
Good judgment begins long before a decision is made. It involves recognizing which choices deserve consideration. This requires assessing situations, weighing risks, and maintaining awareness of the bigger picture. Strong judgment draws on experience, intuition, and emotional intelligence, not just logic. Decision-making focuses on selecting a course of action, while judgment shapes the process by determining which options are worth considering.
While decision-making focuses on selecting a course of action, judgment shapes the entire process by determining what options even make it to the table. Developing better judgment takes effort. Seeking out different perspectives challenges assumptions and helps you avoid blind spots. Running through hypothetical scenarios builds the ability to evaluate risks under pressure. And self-awareness – especially of emotions and biases – ensures clearer thinking rather than reactive choices.
Even when judgment is sound, success isn’t guaranteed. A range of external influences, including luck and timing, can impact whether a decision leads to success or failure. A poor choice can sometimes work out by chance, making it seem like good judgment was involved when it wasn’t. Likewise, a well-reasoned decision can fail due to factors beyond anyone’s control. So judgment should be evaluated across multiple decisions, not judged by a single outcome. The ability to reflect on past choices – both right and wrong – helps sharpen future decision-making.
Organizations often undervalue judgment, prioritizing technical skills instead. But the ability to assess situations wisely is what allows leaders to handle crises, solve problems, and make strong strategic decisions. Encouraging critical thinking within teams leads to better collective judgment by ensuring assumptions are challenged – and multiple solutions are explored. Without this, even experienced professionals can fall into the trap of overconfidence or narrow thinking.
Judgment is a skill you can develop through practice and reflection. The more you sharpen your ability to assess situations clearly, the better prepared you’ll be when it really counts. In the sections ahead, we’ll explore how experience, awareness, and trust form the foundation of good judgment, and how these principles apply in real-world decision-making.
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What is Judgement at Work about?
Judgement at Work (2025) explores the critical role of sound judgment in decision-making for managers and business leaders. It introduces a six-part framework designed to enhance judgment, helping you make better choices, assess risks, and identify trustworthy people. Drawing on extensive research and expertise, it offers you practical strategies to improve your decision-making and drive success at both personal and organizational levels.
Who should read Judgement at Work?
- Business and organizational leaders
- Decision-makers in high-stakes environments
- Individuals seeking better judgment and critical thinking skills
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