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Good Judgment: Making Better Business Decisions with the Science of Human Personality – The Expert's Guide to Hiring, Leadership, and Workplace Relationships
An experienced organizational psychologist teaches you how to select the right employees and business partners, assess investment opportunities more shrewdly, resolve conflicts better and faster, and optimize your performance on the job using the science of personality.
Psychologists widely agree that five key traits define our personalities—intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence. Unlike emotions, which are transitory in nature, these traits determine our behaviors, including our motivations, social inclinations, reactions to crisis or complexity, patterns of thinking, and more.
Organizational psychologist Dr. Richard Davis is an expert in assessing personalities. He has spent decades advising business leaders and evaluating executives from some of the world’s biggest companies, including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Under Armour, Meta, Starbucks, Nike, LVMH, and the NBA. Over the course of his career, he has helped numerous executives make tough, highly consequential hiring calls based on personality. A company’s board might want its next CEO to be decisive, focused, and a strong communicator. Investors backing a start-up might want a leader who is not only a visionary but also a team player who doesn’t retaliate when given constructive feedback. That’s where he comes in. As a result of his life’s work, Dr. Davis has developed not only a unique perspective on what human personality is, but an indispensable toolkit for analyzing it, and using the information effectively.
In Good Judgment, he brings his expertise to you. Dr. Davis explains what the science of personality is and how it works, and how all of us can use it to improve our working relationships, careers, and lives. Whether you’re a novice manager looking to hire your first assistant, a board member in need of the ideal CEO, an angel investor trying to choose between two different startups, or a new parent selecting a pediatrician, understanding the science of personality and how to utilize it is the key to exercising good judgment—at work and in life.
Psychologists widely agree that five key traits define our personalities—intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence. Unlike emotions, which are transitory in nature, these traits determine our behaviors, including our motivations, social inclinations, reactions to crisis or complexity, patterns of thinking, and more.
Organizational psychologist Dr. Richard Davis is an expert in assessing personalities. He has spent decades advising business leaders and evaluating executives from some of the world’s biggest companies, including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Under Armour, Meta, Starbucks, Nike, LVMH, and the NBA. Over the course of his career, he has helped numerous executives make tough, highly consequential hiring calls based on personality. A company’s board might want its next CEO to be decisive, focused, and a strong communicator. Investors backing a start-up might want a leader who is not only a visionary but also a team player who doesn’t retaliate when given constructive feedback. That’s where he comes in. As a result of his life’s work, Dr. Davis has developed not only a unique perspective on what human personality is, but an indispensable toolkit for analyzing it, and using the information effectively.
In Good Judgment, he brings his expertise to you. Dr. Davis explains what the science of personality is and how it works, and how all of us can use it to improve our working relationships, careers, and lives. Whether you’re a novice manager looking to hire your first assistant, a board member in need of the ideal CEO, an angel investor trying to choose between two different startups, or a new parent selecting a pediatrician, understanding the science of personality and how to utilize it is the key to exercising good judgment—at work and in life.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published June 11, 2024
15 people are currently reading
1744 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Davis
4 books4 followersDr. Richard Davis is an organizational psychologist and managing director at Russell Reynolds Associatess. He has extensive experience advising CEOs, including those leading Fortune 100 companies or otherwise in the public eye. Clients include Under Armor, Best Buy, Target, Endeavor (WME Entertainment), the National Basketball Association, Canada Goose, Time Warner Cable, Dell, the Commercial Bank of Qatar, and Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment.
He has also assessed senior executives and board members from companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Starbucks, Amazon, General Motors, Walmart, Home Depot, United Health, and Google. He is the author of The Intangibles of Leadership and has appeared on national television and radio and in print media, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, BusinessWeek, Globe and Mail, CNBC, and Harvard Business Review.
He has also assessed senior executives and board members from companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Starbucks, Amazon, General Motors, Walmart, Home Depot, United Health, and Google. He is the author of The Intangibles of Leadership and has appeared on national television and radio and in print media, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, BusinessWeek, Globe and Mail, CNBC, and Harvard Business Review.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 31, 2024
Understanding human behavior is crucial in professional settings, where the ability to read people can be the difference between success and failure. In "Good Judgment", Richard A. Davis provides a comprehensive guide to mastering this skill, drawing from his vast experience as an organizational psychologist. Davis introduces the concept of the "personality blueprint," which breaks down human personality into five core traits: intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence. These traits, he argues, are more reliable indicators of long-term behavior than fleeting emotions. By understanding these core traits, leaders can make better decisions, hire more effectively, and create stronger teams.
The essence of Davis's approach lies in recognizing that people’s underlying traits govern their actions in professional settings. Unlike transient emotions, which can change from moment to moment, these core traits offer stability and predictability in how people behave. For example, a person who consistently exhibits high levels of conscientiousness is likely to be diligent in their work, regardless of their emotional state on a given day. This consistency is what makes understanding personality so valuable in professional environments, where decision-making often depends on predicting future behavior.
Davis also emphasizes that we all possess a natural ability to understand others, a skill he calls perceptivity. This is the cognitive capacity to grasp what drives people, how they think, and what they value. While some people seem to excel naturally in this area, anyone can develop perceptivity with practice. By paying close attention to behavioral cues, communication styles, and consistencies between words and actions, individuals can gain deeper insights into the true nature of those around them. Perceptivity, Davis suggests, is like a muscle that strengthens with use, allowing us to become better at reading people as we practice this skill.
However, Davis warns that our increasing reliance on digital communication is eroding this crucial ability. In today's world, face-to-face interactions are becoming less frequent, replaced by text messages, emails, and virtual meetings. This shift has made it more challenging to observe the subtle non-verbal cues that are essential for understanding others. Davis likens this to the decline in our wayfinding abilities due to the rise of GPS technology. Just as we no longer need to navigate by instinct, we are losing our perceptivity because we are not exercising it in face-to-face interactions.
To combat this erosion, Davis advocates for prioritizing direct, in-person communication whenever possible. Observing body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions provides critical information that digital communication simply cannot convey. By engaging with people directly, we can maintain and even sharpen our ability to read others. For example, during high-stakes business negotiations, meeting face-to-face allows participants to assess sincerity and enthusiasm, factors that are difficult to gauge through virtual interactions.
Moreover, Davis stresses the importance of active observation. This involves consciously paying attention to those around us, lifting our eyes from our screens, and developing a curiosity about others. By doing so, we can better understand what motivates people and how they are likely to behave in different situations. Active observation is not just about gathering information; it’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their true thoughts and feelings. Leaders who foster such openness can build stronger teams and make better decisions.
While emotional intelligence (EQ) has gained popularity as a valuable skill in professional settings, Davis argues that real insight into personality is far more powerful. Emotional intelligence, which focuses on recognizing and understanding emotions, has been widely embraced in leadership training and job descriptions. However, Davis points out that the scientific support for EQ is not as robust as many believe. He traces the concept's origins back to psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer, who introduced it as a way to understand emotions. However, the broader interpretation of EQ popularized by Daniel Goleman lacks rigorous scientific backing.
In contrast, understanding core personality traits provides more actionable insights. Personality traits are consistent over time and offer a more reliable basis for making decisions than emotions, which can be fleeting. For example, knowing that a colleague is inherently open-minded or conscientious is more useful for predicting their long-term behavior than merely assessing their current emotional state. Davis illustrates this with the example of a project manager who chooses a team member based on their stable traits, such as conscientiousness, rather than their occasional stress-induced frustrations. This approach leads to better team dynamics and more successful outcomes.
To apply this understanding of personality in professional settings, Davis introduces the "personality blueprint." This is a structured method for reading people, based on decades of research in personality psychology. The blueprint breaks down personality into five categories: intellect, sociability, emotionality, drive, and diligence. Each category corresponds to a key aspect of human behavior, allowing individuals to systematically assess others.
Davis suggests using this blueprint in various professional scenarios, such as hiring, team-building, or leadership decisions. By mentally sorting information about a person into these five categories, individuals can gain a comprehensive understanding of their personality. This method not only helps manage the flow of information but also prevents important details from being overlooked. Davis likens it to organizing papers into boxes rather than carrying them around loosely. The blueprint simplifies the complex task of reading people by providing a structured approach.
To deepen connections and improve communication in the workplace, Davis recommends asking four strategic questions. These questions are designed to reveal core personality traits and foster more meaningful relationships. First, asking someone about an early influencer in their life can provide insights into the values and beliefs that have shaped their behavior. Second, exploring how they are similar or different from that influencer can reveal their level of self-awareness. Third, asking them to describe their inner circle of friends offers clues about the social environment they thrive in. Finally, inquiring about their friend turn-offs can help avoid potential conflicts and create a more harmonious work environment.
Understanding others starts with self-awareness. Reflecting on your own personality blueprint and seeking feedback from others can help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses. By combining self-awareness with a deeper understanding of others, you can enhance your professional relationships, improve team dynamics, and ultimately achieve greater success in your career.
In conclusion, "Good Judgment" by Richard A. Davis provides a valuable framework for improving decision-making and communication in professional settings. By understanding the five key personality traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence – individuals can make more informed judgments about others and build stronger, more effective teams. In a digital age where interpersonal skills are at risk of decline, Davis encourages us to prioritize direct interactions and practice active observation. By applying the personality blueprint and asking strategic questions, professionals can deepen their understanding of others and create more fulfilling and successful careers.
The essence of Davis's approach lies in recognizing that people’s underlying traits govern their actions in professional settings. Unlike transient emotions, which can change from moment to moment, these core traits offer stability and predictability in how people behave. For example, a person who consistently exhibits high levels of conscientiousness is likely to be diligent in their work, regardless of their emotional state on a given day. This consistency is what makes understanding personality so valuable in professional environments, where decision-making often depends on predicting future behavior.
Davis also emphasizes that we all possess a natural ability to understand others, a skill he calls perceptivity. This is the cognitive capacity to grasp what drives people, how they think, and what they value. While some people seem to excel naturally in this area, anyone can develop perceptivity with practice. By paying close attention to behavioral cues, communication styles, and consistencies between words and actions, individuals can gain deeper insights into the true nature of those around them. Perceptivity, Davis suggests, is like a muscle that strengthens with use, allowing us to become better at reading people as we practice this skill.
However, Davis warns that our increasing reliance on digital communication is eroding this crucial ability. In today's world, face-to-face interactions are becoming less frequent, replaced by text messages, emails, and virtual meetings. This shift has made it more challenging to observe the subtle non-verbal cues that are essential for understanding others. Davis likens this to the decline in our wayfinding abilities due to the rise of GPS technology. Just as we no longer need to navigate by instinct, we are losing our perceptivity because we are not exercising it in face-to-face interactions.
To combat this erosion, Davis advocates for prioritizing direct, in-person communication whenever possible. Observing body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions provides critical information that digital communication simply cannot convey. By engaging with people directly, we can maintain and even sharpen our ability to read others. For example, during high-stakes business negotiations, meeting face-to-face allows participants to assess sincerity and enthusiasm, factors that are difficult to gauge through virtual interactions.
Moreover, Davis stresses the importance of active observation. This involves consciously paying attention to those around us, lifting our eyes from our screens, and developing a curiosity about others. By doing so, we can better understand what motivates people and how they are likely to behave in different situations. Active observation is not just about gathering information; it’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their true thoughts and feelings. Leaders who foster such openness can build stronger teams and make better decisions.
While emotional intelligence (EQ) has gained popularity as a valuable skill in professional settings, Davis argues that real insight into personality is far more powerful. Emotional intelligence, which focuses on recognizing and understanding emotions, has been widely embraced in leadership training and job descriptions. However, Davis points out that the scientific support for EQ is not as robust as many believe. He traces the concept's origins back to psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer, who introduced it as a way to understand emotions. However, the broader interpretation of EQ popularized by Daniel Goleman lacks rigorous scientific backing.
In contrast, understanding core personality traits provides more actionable insights. Personality traits are consistent over time and offer a more reliable basis for making decisions than emotions, which can be fleeting. For example, knowing that a colleague is inherently open-minded or conscientious is more useful for predicting their long-term behavior than merely assessing their current emotional state. Davis illustrates this with the example of a project manager who chooses a team member based on their stable traits, such as conscientiousness, rather than their occasional stress-induced frustrations. This approach leads to better team dynamics and more successful outcomes.
To apply this understanding of personality in professional settings, Davis introduces the "personality blueprint." This is a structured method for reading people, based on decades of research in personality psychology. The blueprint breaks down personality into five categories: intellect, sociability, emotionality, drive, and diligence. Each category corresponds to a key aspect of human behavior, allowing individuals to systematically assess others.
Davis suggests using this blueprint in various professional scenarios, such as hiring, team-building, or leadership decisions. By mentally sorting information about a person into these five categories, individuals can gain a comprehensive understanding of their personality. This method not only helps manage the flow of information but also prevents important details from being overlooked. Davis likens it to organizing papers into boxes rather than carrying them around loosely. The blueprint simplifies the complex task of reading people by providing a structured approach.
To deepen connections and improve communication in the workplace, Davis recommends asking four strategic questions. These questions are designed to reveal core personality traits and foster more meaningful relationships. First, asking someone about an early influencer in their life can provide insights into the values and beliefs that have shaped their behavior. Second, exploring how they are similar or different from that influencer can reveal their level of self-awareness. Third, asking them to describe their inner circle of friends offers clues about the social environment they thrive in. Finally, inquiring about their friend turn-offs can help avoid potential conflicts and create a more harmonious work environment.
Understanding others starts with self-awareness. Reflecting on your own personality blueprint and seeking feedback from others can help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses. By combining self-awareness with a deeper understanding of others, you can enhance your professional relationships, improve team dynamics, and ultimately achieve greater success in your career.
In conclusion, "Good Judgment" by Richard A. Davis provides a valuable framework for improving decision-making and communication in professional settings. By understanding the five key personality traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence – individuals can make more informed judgments about others and build stronger, more effective teams. In a digital age where interpersonal skills are at risk of decline, Davis encourages us to prioritize direct interactions and practice active observation. By applying the personality blueprint and asking strategic questions, professionals can deepen their understanding of others and create more fulfilling and successful careers.
June 19, 2024
I loved this book! It was a fairly quick read with lots of interesting stories and useful tools. It is a thoughtful book also, with some bigger messages. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2025
Early enough that I have to wait an hour for my bus not early enough to make the early bus I missed by 15 mins
TBA ideas for KD so WIP:
- You know that the outcome of your project hinges not just on skill, but on the personalities around this table – how they think, react, and work together.
- reminds me of project personality? the power of the personality blueprint. This tool distills human personality into five core traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence
- Prioritizing personality over temporary emotions helps professionals improve communication, negotiation, and leadership skills. This approach supports personal interactions as well as team dynamics.
Notes:
- By developing an almost childlike curiosity about others, you can glean deeper insights into their motivations and emotions. This not only enhances interpersonal relationships but sharpens leadership and negotiation skills.
- For example, in a high-stakes meeting, rather than scrambling to keep track of every detail, focus on categorizing the information into these five boxes. This approach prevents you from overlooking critical information and provides a comprehensive picture of the person’s character and work style. Think of it as a way to package complex data into manageable segments, much like using boxes to organize papers rather than carrying them around loosely.
EQ:
- The initial concept of EQ, introduced by psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer in the late 1980s, focused on the ability to recognize and understand emotions. However, the narrative around EQ shifted dramatically with Daniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence. Here, it was presented as a broader disposition encompassing empathy and social skills. This reinterpretation, which deviated from the original academic research, lacked rigorous scientific support and led to a widespread misunderstanding of EQ’s scope and impact.
- Personality traits are consistent predictors of behavior: they offer deeper, more actionable insights than transient emotional states typically emphasized in EQ discussions. For instance, knowing whether someone inherently possesses a trait like openness or conscientiousness is more informative for long-term interactions and decision-making than gauging their current emotional state.
TBA ideas for KD so WIP:
- You know that the outcome of your project hinges not just on skill, but on the personalities around this table – how they think, react, and work together.
- reminds me of project personality? the power of the personality blueprint. This tool distills human personality into five core traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence
- Prioritizing personality over temporary emotions helps professionals improve communication, negotiation, and leadership skills. This approach supports personal interactions as well as team dynamics.
Notes:
- By developing an almost childlike curiosity about others, you can glean deeper insights into their motivations and emotions. This not only enhances interpersonal relationships but sharpens leadership and negotiation skills.
- For example, in a high-stakes meeting, rather than scrambling to keep track of every detail, focus on categorizing the information into these five boxes. This approach prevents you from overlooking critical information and provides a comprehensive picture of the person’s character and work style. Think of it as a way to package complex data into manageable segments, much like using boxes to organize papers rather than carrying them around loosely.
EQ:
- The initial concept of EQ, introduced by psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer in the late 1980s, focused on the ability to recognize and understand emotions. However, the narrative around EQ shifted dramatically with Daniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence. Here, it was presented as a broader disposition encompassing empathy and social skills. This reinterpretation, which deviated from the original academic research, lacked rigorous scientific support and led to a widespread misunderstanding of EQ’s scope and impact.
- Personality traits are consistent predictors of behavior: they offer deeper, more actionable insights than transient emotional states typically emphasized in EQ discussions. For instance, knowing whether someone inherently possesses a trait like openness or conscientiousness is more informative for long-term interactions and decision-making than gauging their current emotional state.
June 17, 2024
I really wanted to love this book. I generally enjoy personality science and have found the "Big Five" model, from which this book loosely draws, helpful. But much of it is written for situations that allow for hours-long interviews to get to know someone, and most of life isn't like that. The author lays out a framework for gathering and organizing information about a person's personality in five boxes and creating blueprints for the desired person to fill a certain role--helpful for those situations I'm sure, but not all that feasible for the majority of "business decisions" mentioned in the title. I did appreciate the suggestions for "character quick takes" toward the end as they provided more practical tips for everyday interactions. Overall, not a bad book, but it's more focused on choosing the right people for particular things than on business decisions.
August 31, 2024
Read on 81inklist.
Interesting approach and ways of analysing people.
Interesting approach and ways of analysing people.
August 31, 2024
Stronger leadership
Read the room
Act wisely
Understand people
Good decision-making
“Understanding five key personality traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence – enhances decision-making and communication in professional settings.
To combat the erosion of people skills in our digital era, you can engage in direct interactions and practice active observation.
Lastly, systematically categorize personality insights by using the personality blueprint. This will improve your professional relationships and foster effective team dynamics.”
Read the room
Act wisely
Understand people
Good decision-making
“Understanding five key personality traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence – enhances decision-making and communication in professional settings.
To combat the erosion of people skills in our digital era, you can engage in direct interactions and practice active observation.
Lastly, systematically categorize personality insights by using the personality blueprint. This will improve your professional relationships and foster effective team dynamics.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
I appreciate a relatively quick read for something that I find interesting and practical. “Good Judgment” advocates the use of personality criteria to make successful decisions for hiring. He largely doesn’t really believe in any other criteria - this includes emotional criteria or too much focus on previous accomplishments. He makes decisions by deciphering people into five categories: Intelligence, Emotionality, Sociability, Drive, and Diligence.
I found out about this book because it was on the Globe and Mail’s top management book list.
I found out about this book because it was on the Globe and Mail’s top management book list.
August 31, 2024
Summary:
Understanding five key personality traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence – enhances decision-making and communication in professional settings.
To combat the erosion of people skills in our digital era, you can engage in direct interactions and practice active observation.
Lastly, systematically categorize personality insights by using the personality blueprint. This will improve your professional relationships and foster effective team dynamics.
Understanding five key personality traits – intellect, emotionality, sociability, drive, and diligence – enhances decision-making and communication in professional settings.
To combat the erosion of people skills in our digital era, you can engage in direct interactions and practice active observation.
Lastly, systematically categorize personality insights by using the personality blueprint. This will improve your professional relationships and foster effective team dynamics.
March 29, 2025
Shows us how and why we should train our perceptivity to make better judgments of our own personality and the personalities of those who work with, date. Emphasizes that it is not enough to focus on our strengths and neglect our weaknesses.
July 11, 2024
Great book! Recommended by a friend and I really loved it. I’ve recommended it to a few people at work already.
September 8, 2025
I found that this book said a lot of “obvious” things and was kinda boring to read through, but it has a few really good tools to assist in how you find what you need to be successful in a business and work well with others
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews