The Go Point: When It's Time to Decide--Knowing What to Do and When to Do It Paperback – March 24, 2009

Can decision-making be turned into a science? Michael Useem seems to think so in this book. The author invites us to spend some time in the shoes of different people from history who have been faced with important life-or-death decisions. He invites us to consider all the facts, formulate our own decisions, then compare them with the actual decisions which were made and analyse the decision-making process to learn lessons.The name of the book is uninspiring, but the book itself is written in an engaging manner and the scenarios give the reader plenty of opportunity for thinking. In Chapter 1 we find ourselves fighting fires in Colorado, and analysing each decision made over a period of several hours before 14 firefighters were killed. In Chapter 4 we analyse the decision-making mistakes made by General Lee which led to the loss of the battle at Gettysburg. Chapter 5 provides decision-making exercises for teams.So what are the ingredients of good decisions? The book provides a number of them, including: prepare for decisions under stress; establish clear priorities; look to the future instead of rethinking the past; break hard decisions into smaller steps; consult those most familiar with the context and situation; and clarify what the decision entails before trying to make it. This is a useful book which I highly recommend.

The heart of the book is a look at three events---the death of forest fighters in Colorado, the battle of Gettsyburg, and the crash of a plane in the Andes in the early 1970s. Useem looks at each and pulls out valuable lessons on decision making---understand who has what responsibilties, be clear with subordinates and guage their ability to decide(do they need lots of detailed direction or just minimal direction), stay focused. He shows in clear and direct writing why some decisions in these three events were good ones and why some were bad ones. But the book then goes off on various tangents, and stretches to include some obligatory thoughts on ethical decision making, although a wrap up chapter on decision making problems and solutions to them with a list of suggested reading is worhtwhile. A 5 without the extra noise but a worthwhile read.

I liked some of the stories.. But there was too much of a firefighter stories .its more of a academic read

The Go Point: When It's Time to Decide--Knowing What to Do and When to Do ItThis is a well written book of interest to managers and decision makers in all areas of endeavor. The author's choice of examples to illustrate the approach he champions is excellent, broad, and of interest to those who tend to be pragmatic and have an historical perspective.Easy to read in small snatches of time, it stimulates the reader to reflect on past decisions and look forward to a test of this approach. Generally free of the posturing and hype typical of business school faculty. Clearly the author wants to involve his readers in the way a good teacher tries to do. He succeeds. And the way that this book has been fashioned, packaged and priced for the emerging new world of publishing is a side show to admire.

I like the book, but you have to email a note to get an answer to four decision-making problems. The email is no longer active. Disappointed.

Perfect title send excellent handbook on how to get from point A to point Z, or even if the process should be considered.

A friend who was taught by Useem at Wharton recommended his writings to me. Useem uses various examples of leaders who had to make challenging decisions, and the principles held to by these leaders that led up to their decisions. The tables at the end of each chapter are meant to clarify to the reader the reasons/principles behind their decisions, but I think that could have been better organized. This is a minor point, but overall an interesting and helpful read for those looking how to make tough decisions.

I only read the first chapter. Perhaps somebody will find examples of firefighters interesting. I did not.Dear Amazon, could I have my money back?