CRITICAL THINKING

CRITICAL THINKING IN YOUR ORGANIZATION ... WHICH IS BETTER ... TO TEACH YOUR EMPLOYEES WHAT TO THINK, OR TO TEACH YOUR EMPLOYEES HOW TO THINK? DOES IT MATTER?

FOR EXAMPLE ...

SOME ORGANIZATIONS INVEST IN THEIR EMPLOYEES TO TEACH THEM HOW TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE PROBLEMS IN AN AUTONOMOUS, TEAM-BASED ENVIRONMENT, THAT CREATES POSITIVE BUSINESS IMPACT.

WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?

“Critical thinking is the ability (skill) to think about an issue and reach an objective, informed conclusion … based on facts and evidence … without being unduly influenced by (your) personal biases and (your) interests, (your) unsubstantiated assumptions, or … the unproven opinions of others.”

Schuster, Steven. The Critical Thinker: The Path To Better Problem Solving, Accurate Decision Making, and Self-Disciplined Thinking (p. 125). Kindle Edition.

CRITICAL THINKING OCCURS when we ask ourselves, and others, questions such as:

- What are the three most significant assumptions that must be true for your conclusion/s to be valid? Why are each of these assumptions so important to derive an objective, informed conclusion?

- What quantifiable evidence do you have that substantiates your position? How do you know that the quantifiable evidence you used is reliable?

- What other conclusions did you consider?

- How did you rule out the other conclusions?

- What are the long-term costs and consequences of your solution?

"SOME COMMON ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT that impacts our ability to thinking critically. We may believe:

- It’s true because I believe it. This is egocentrism at work in its purest form.

- It’s true because we believe it. This is a display of socio-centrism

- It’s true because I want to believe it. This is the human nature to not want to have to admit when we have made a mistake

- It’s true because I have always believed it. Our long-held beliefs are a source of comfort for us, and it can be scary to step out of our comfort zone

- It’s true because it is in my own personal interest to believe it."

Schuster, Steven. The Critical Thinker: The Path To Better Problem Solving, Accurate Decision Making, and Self-Disciplined Thinking (p. 133). Kindle Edition.

ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

The graphic below provides an example of a CRITICAL THINKING SELF ASSESSMENT. Actually, our assessment process provides you with more information, but this will get you started. I encourage you to complete a self-assessment (attached to this post). When you complete your self-assessment, you should also ask a few peers - those that will be truthful with you - to provide you with their assessment of your critical thinking skills. Many times, authentic peer assessments will provide you with a more realistic view of reality.

Joe Carter

INCLINE INSIGHTS, LLC

Improving the business knowledge and expertise of your BUSINESS-CRITICAL, MISSION-CRITICAL, AND HIGH-POTENTIAL TALENT.