LEADERSHIP BOOKSHELF
January 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 13
LEADERSHIP BOOKSHELF
LESSONS FROM“ JUDGMENT: HOW WINNING LEADERS MAKE GREAT CALLS” BY NOEL TICHY AND WARREN BENNIS
In Judgment: How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls, authors Tichy and Bennis argue that judgment is the single most important leadership skill— the decisive factor that separates merely competent managers from truly great leaders. Everything else( charisma, communication, vision, expertise) matters only insofar as it enables a leader to make the right calls at the right time for the right reasons.
They define judgment as:
“ The ability to make a sound decision after thoughtful analysis, in the face of uncertainty, based on values and experience.” Judgment is not a single act. It is a discipline— a repeatable process leaders use throughout their careers.
PART I— The Leadership Judgment Framework 1. The Three Domains of Judgment Tichy and Bennis argue that all critical leadership decisions fall into three categories:
A. People Judgment These decisions shape the team:
• Hiring
• Promotion
• Succession planning
• Team composition
• Removal of poor performers
• Developing future leaders
Tichy and Bennis position this as the foundation of all other judgments.
B. Strategy Judgment These decisions shape the organization’ s direction:
• Competitive positioning
• Long-term vision
• Resource allocation
• Organizational priorities
• Risk assessment and innovation
Strategy judgment requires:
• Ability to spot external shifts
• Scenario thinking
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Ability to balance short-term pressure with long-term goals
C. Crisis Judgment These decisions occur under maximum pressure:
• Unexpected threats
• Public scrutiny
• Moral or ethical dilemmas
• Catastrophic failures
• Time-compressed decision cycles
Crisis judgment requires:
• Calm and disciplined thinking
• Transparent communication
• Rapid situational assessment
• Ethical clarity
• Ability to adapt under pressure
Great people judgment requires:
• Clear understanding of talent
• Courage to act early
• Willingness to coach and mentor
• Ensuring cultural alignment“ Get the right people in the right seats on the bus.”