Introduction to judgment and leadership

Abstract

Judgment is considered an important factor in leadership. This chapter introduces the variety of perspectives that constitute the research and theory on judgment and leadership. Judgment is viewed from multiple perspectives including political science, policy, psychology, neuroscience, history, moral, character-based, and behavioral ethics, philosophy, adult and experiential learning, and management and organizational behavior. The importance of understanding judgment and leadership from cognitive, behavioral, social, and societal factors, as well as within the context of historical examples, are explored. The COVID-19 pandemic provides examples of leaders, leadership, and judgment. The factors and variables associated with good judgment are discussed and the processes associated with developing and learning judgment are outlined. The challenges associated with good judgment and the factors that lead to bad judgment are explored. © Anna B. Kayes and D. Christopher Kayes 2021.