Reply To: Books for coaches to read

[hockeygod]

The Ri9ht Decision: A Mathematician Reveals How the Secrets of Decision Theory Can Help You Make the Right Decision Every Time

by James Stein, Ph.D. – McGraw Hill, 2010

About the book

When it comes to making the right decision, don’t leave it up to chance

Professor and mathematician James Stein demystifies Decision Theory and shows you how you can apply the principles of this exciting new field of mathematics to help you make the right decisions in all areas of your life. The Right Decision is peppered with intriguing ‘Decision Exercises’ to make complicated ideas seem simple, revolutionizing the way you think and make choices.

Stay in a predictable job with little advancement or take a riskier one with more money? Have surgery or wait? Remain in a current relationship or take a chance on another person? Author James Stein argues that there is a right decision to these and all other questions and he gives you the tools you need to make the right one no matter what.

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I absolutely hated math in school and university, (the author didn't really talk much about math at all – good!) but I finished it in one sitting and it made me think a lot – exhausting, really. It requires lots of logic, and although I thought I possessed some, I doubt it now!

He provides lots of historical / real life case studies where he sets up a scenario and provides three possible action steps… then provides a relative 'score' for each of the three and an explanation on which one works best; given the setup.

I was actually quite brutal in my choices – kind of discouraging…. He has a group of exercises at the end of the book; I am going to re-read some if the book, then try these exercises to see if I can get better!

I initially tried to put this stuff into a coaching / philosophical framework (Decision Theory – how does this relate to decision training in sports?), but had to give up as I couldn't relate many of the case studies to sports / coaching. However, I really liked the preface as this was the easiest to put into coaching terms.

It is written in an easy-to-read manner, but because most of it really makes me think, I have to re-read things twice or three times sometimes. So not a 'leisure' book but a 'learning' book. Don't try this one on a tired brain… and it will take some time to get through it… thinking is hard work!!!

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."