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How Sound Is Your Judgment?

I was being interviewed this morning on a radio show, and was asked an interesting question. The question was, 'how does a person know when they are exercising good judgment?' It was interesting because the question wasn't how do you develop good judgment, but rather how do you know when you actually have it and are using it?

This month, I thought it would be useful to answer that question for you as I answered it for their listeners. Good judgment is most obviously manifested in results. If you look at the results of your choices, it will most likely demonstrate a pattern.

That pattern will reflect a series of choices. Those choices were based on your values; followed by behaviors. The key to knowing whether or not your judgment is sound is to observe patterns in your life.

Do not make the determination in hindsight. We ALL make bad choices from time to time; it is the only way we learn. It is the choices stacked up over time that allow you to observe your judgment.

Here are some steps that will help:

1. Be mindful of patterns. Pay attention to choices and behaviors both good and bad that tend to reoccur.
2. Revisit your values. To what extent are you VERY clear about your core values?
3. Evaluate your choices through the prism of your values all the time.
4. DO NOT beat yourself up for mistakes. DO NOT rationalize them away either. Evaluate them impersonally.
5. Put someone in your life to hold you accountable for improving your judgment in the areas you most need the focus.

Mike

Mike Staver
Professional Speaker & Coach