Decision Making & Problem Solving Strategies

by John Adair

There are three forms of applied thinking that everyone needs: decision making, problem solving, and creative thinking. Decision Making and Problem Solving will help readers master the processes of practical thinking that lie behind effective decision making, problem solving, and creative thinking. Using checklists, exercises, and case studies, this book enables anyone to understand key concepts such as: how the mind works, the principles of effective thinking, how to develop a framework for decision making, how to use a simple model for making decisions and solving problems, how to sharpen up creative thinking skills, and how to develop your thinking skills in the future. An expert on management thinking, John Adair will help managers and leaders of all levels ensure that the best decisions are taken, that problems are solved in the optimum way, and that the creative ideas and innovations so necessary for tomorrow's business flow freely.

Genres: Business, Leadership

110 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

John Eric Adair is a British academic who is a leadership theorist and author of more than forty books (translated into eighteen languages) on business, military and other leadership.

Reviews

[Shantia · Rating 2 out of 5]

كتاب ترجمه يكدستي نداره و احتياج به ويرايش داره. مطالب كتاب قديمي هست و نياز به بازبيني داره. عنوان اصلي كتاب با عنوان فرعي در چاپ فارسي جابجا شده. چاپ كتاب جالب نيست(فونت و اندازه حروف) و تو ذوق ميزنه. عناوين زير جداول و شكل هاي كتاب بي ربط با موضوع هست. در بعضي جاها كه لازمه خود كلمه به انگليسي در پاورقي نوشته نشده. اما در كل ارزش خوندن يكبار رو داره.
جايي در كتاب نويسنده ميگه:
بدون فرضيات نمي شود تفكر كرد. اما اين فرضيات بايد آگاهانه باشند و وقتي ديگر قابل دفاع نيستند، بتوانيد آنها را كنار بگذاريد. فرضياتي كه شما را به هم مي زنند ناآگاهانه هستند، آنها در واقع محدوديت ها و قيد و بندهايي هستند كه شما از آن آگاهي نداريد و مطلع نيستيد. اين يكي از دلايل نياز تفكر موثر به تعامل اجتماعي است. ما به درون داد ارزشمند و نقادانه از سوي ديگران نياز داريم تا اين فيلترها را از جلوي چشم هايمان بردايم.
مثلا همين كلمه 'درونداد' يعني چي؟ كسي دونست به منم بگه!

[Marcelo Bahia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an awfully basic book. If you've read at least 2 or 3 books on decision making, you'll almost surely find nothing new or useful on this one. And if you've never read anything on the subject, you're probably better off reading the Harvard Business Review publications on Decision Making. Spare your time and money and avoid this one.

[Dan Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1969, John Adair wrote the book, Training for Decisions, which had a problem involving connecting a box made up of nine dots with just four lines. The solution to this problem coined the phrase, "Thinking outside the box."

I love to solve problems. That's one reason I got into computer programming. This book helped shine light on a bad habit I have with problem solving. I try to solve the problem before I understand it. The book gave practical steps towards understanding a problem, but it warns about Information Overload. There's a fine line between "He who hesitates is lost," and "Look before you leap."

This book confirmed my belief in Hammock Driven Development. It's the idea that we need to sleep on complex problems. Doing this gives our "Depth Mind" or subconscious a chance to solve it. When you get stuck, let it go. "A problem is a solution in disguise."

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Decision Making and Problem Solving' by John Adair is a book about how to optimize decision making and think out of the box.

This book explores the mind at work and talks about how the mind functions. There chapters on decisions and problem-solving. There are brainteasers along the way to stretch the reader's way of looking at problems.

It's a quick read and offers some good advice. If the reader gets stumped on the puzzles, the answers are in the back along with a list for further reading.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Kogan Page Ltd and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive but very basic. Would be really good for those new to management.

[Donald Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow but the content is rather limited.

[Kamil Kalkan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Başka kitaplarda uzun uzun anlatılan konuları çok özet bir şekilde ama anlaşılır şekilde anlatmış.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the area of problem solving. Quite superficial but this is to be expected for an introduction-type of book.

[Brijesh Sukumaran]

An ordinary read focusing more on theory as is Adair style

[Nanda Firdaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contain basic theory of problem solving. Good if you are new in this area.

[Nooralzahraa30]

It is a great book

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not fun to read, and it is so so so basic..not much to learn...