The Practical Decision Maker - 2nd Edition by Thomas R Harvey & Sharon M Corkrum & Shari L Fox (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The Practical Decision Maker identifies six steps essential to strong decision-making. Mind-set, problem definition, solution criteria, possible solutions, solution choice, and implementation are depicted along with concrete examples of each. 53 structuring devices are included to help readers move through each step of the decision-making process.

Review Quotes

As a nonprofit organization working with school districts, higher education, and business partners developing a regional plan, it can be challenging to lead various stakeholders through the decision making process. The Practical Decision Maker provides leaders with structures and tools to not only reach a decision, but also ensure all members are a part of the process.

I am honored and excited to support the second edition of The Practical Decision Maker. As a superintendent of a large public school district, I, along with my associates, have consistently used many of the key concepts, structuring devices, and ideas found in The Practical Decision Maker for almost twenty years. This handbook is a must for any organizational leader or facilitator with the responsibility to bring people together, implement new initiatives, and take the team or organization to the next level.

The Practical Decision Maker has been my secret weapon for twenty-five years, arming me with rational, objective strategies when I'm confronted with complex or highly charged decisions. It's my favorite gift for leaders seeking time-tested methods guaranteed to bring order to chaos in their organizations.

This book is an excellent toolkit for leaders who believe that collaboration is essential to achieve the best decisions. Doctoral students studying transformational leadership cite the first edition of The Practical Decision Maker as a favorite resource for finding creative solutions to real problems. The addition of technology recommendations enhances the usefulness in this new edition! The title of the book says it all--a very practical resource that helps simplify complex decisions.

About the Author

Dr. Thomas R. Harvey is professor emeritus in the organizational leadership doctoral program at the University of La Verne. He is the proud author of over thirteen books dealing with change, politics, decision making, and building teams.
Dr. Sharon M. Corkrum is a retired school district assistant superintendent. The first edition of this book evolved from her dissertation while at the University of La Verne.
Dr. Shari L. Fox spent forty years as a K-12 educator, serving as a teacher, site and district administrator, and superintendent. She continues to serve K-12 educators as an executive coach to site and district administrators and is currently an instructor in the doctoral program at the University of La Verne.
Dr. David C. Gustafson has spent the past two decades as a practitioner and leader in K-12 education at both the site and district levels. Dr. Gustafson continues to research, publish, and present on virtual leadership and virtual learning, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Deanna K. Keuilian has been a practitioner in the field of education for over twenty years. She has extensive experience leading a variety of educational initiatives at the K-12 level and serves as an adjunct professor and dissertation committee member in the doctoral program at the University of La Verne.