Critical thinking plays a significant role in the decision-making process, along with inquiry and reasoning (Smith, 2003, p. 37). Making a sound decision involves conducting an inquiry to find out what the pertinent facts are, reasoning to evaluate how each alternative stands in relation to others, and critical thinking to examine and weigh the facts and alternatives and arrive at a decision. When I make future decisions for myself and my organization, I will use critical thinking to evaluate what I know about the issue before making my decision and then to reflect on what the potential impacts might be. I will think through what will happen if I decide a certain way to be sure that I will be able and willing to live with the consequences of my decision.
The quality of a decision can best be evaluated by its results. If I make a decision about the business and that decision results in my meeting the goal of the action without violating any of my ethical principles or compromising the firm's integrity or viability, I will consider the decision well made. If, on the other hand, I must violate my ethics, damage the company's reputation, undercut the quality of our products and services, or cause injury to another individual or his/her career, I cannot consider it a sound decision. Moreover, if the decision is only positive and effective for a limited time but will cause problems down the road, it is again a bad decision.
Smith, G. F. (2003). Beyond Critical Thinking And Decision Making: Teaching Business Students How To Think. Journal of Management Education, 27; 24-51. Retrieved on January 16, 2010 from:
http://jme.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/27/1/24
...