“Too often we . . . enjoy the comfort of opinion, without the discomfort of thought” — John F. Kennedy
I gave her $10.33 for my order at Dairy Queen. The order was exactly $6.33. What would you expect my change to be? Right! $4. But I inadvertently miscounted and gave her $10.32. So, one would think that using critical thinking skills she would ask me what? “Do you have another penny?” No, instead, she gave me $3.99. My wife and I laughed as we drove off……..but part of me felt a little saddened that she did not think for herself. She’s young, I get it. But what about you? Are you a seasoned leader whose ability to lead has a gap? Do you have a gap when it comes to critical thinking, a gap that keeps you from making good decisions, thinking critically, and solving problems? ALL companies, that have (or are developing) a culture of excellence, are looking for people with these skills………and particularly leaders with those skills.
Employers value employees who are critical thinkers, ask good questions, offer innovative ideas, and are always ready to offer improvements against the competition. No matter what your position or role in a company may be, critical thinking will always give you the power to stand out and make a difference. (The Importance Of Critical Thinking, and how to improve it (uopeople.edu)
As amazing and logical device as it is, the human brain has an tendency for wandering off and distorting information through the lens of partiality, self-interest, and injustice; it can interrupt itself in a remarkable number of ways. Critical thinking allows the mind to correct some of its flawed suppositions.
As defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, critical thinking is a self-aware process, through which the mind analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates information resulting from communication, observation, experience, and reflection. (Defining Critical Thinking) More simply, deciding what is True…..and what you should Do.
“Critical thinking is the key to creative problem-solving in business.” — Richard Branson.
The first recorded information about Critical Thinking goes all the way back to Socrates and Plato, how do you develop the ability to have critical thinking? It doesn’t come overnight. It is a lifetime of development. But wait, what? “Can I get those skills now, and if so, how?”, you may be asking. You can. When I say it’s a lifetime of development, what is meant is: we never stop. We continue to grow those skills and pass them on to others. Showcase your albitites to the next generations.
Here are some ways to do that:
- A critical thinker is very curious and asks very good questions, explores ideas from different places. Finds out more about the situation, listens more before asking questions.
- Becomes more aware of the expectations, benefits, and limitations that are required. You get that from asking better questions.
- Leaders who are good critical thinkers also become better, more proficient communicators. Communication starts with Connection, Listening, & Challenging others’ thinking.
- Learn to be more skilled at gathering and interpreting information. Gathering is easy….interpretation is…….well, subject to interpretation.
The future of critical thinking is the equivalent of the future of jobs. In 2020, critical thinking was ranked as the 2nd top skill (following complex problem solving) by the World Economic Forum.
We are dealing with constant unprecedented changes, and what success is today, might not be considered success tomorrow — making critical thinking a key skill for the future workforce. – (The Importance Of Critical Thinking, and how to improve it (uopeople.edu)
If you would like to speak to someone about how LeadershipTen can help you or your organization improve your Critical Thinking Skills through workshops and coaching, please connect below:
