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"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." -Albert Einstein Train your brain to look at situations and problems differently, open your mind to new ideas, and use scientific reasoning on your problems.
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Sponsored in part by the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan, Michigan Works!, through your local Workforce Development Board and Muskegon County
Board of Commissioners. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities EEO/ADA/Employer/Programs - TTY# - 711.
CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
In a recent study,
CRITICAL THINKING was identified as one of the
most important skills neededfor job success, and
one that is lacking inthe new workforce.
“Are They Ready to Work? Employers Perspective on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century US Workforce” Conducted by The Conference Board, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Corporate Voices for Working Families, and Society for Human Resource Management
“Critical Thinking is reasonable reflective thinking focused on
deciding what to believe or do.”
“Critical Thinking is best understood as the ability of thinkers to take charge of their own thinking.”
Think of going into the dressing room when you’re shopping. How many times do you twist and twirl in front of the three-sided mirror before deciding whether or not to buy?
Critical Thinking is the three-sided mirror of decision making; letting you look at all the angles to make the best possible choice.
Another way of looking at it…
“With workplaces so complex and rapidly changing, combined with the recession, it’s important that newly hired employees have critical thinking skills.”
By Pearson’s TalentLens Group
Like most skills, critical thinking can be improved!
“Critical thinking is harder than people think, because it requires knowledge.”- Joanne Jacobs
“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.” - Henry Ford
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Critical Thinking
Inform & Describe
Discover & Explore
Negotiate & Cooperate
Test & Revise
Integrate & Apply
Inform & Describe
• Clarify
• What you need to know
• What you already know
• Information you have about the issue
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Discover & Explore
• Look at your issue more closely
• Start to be more directed and purposeful in seeking information
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Negotiate & Cooperate
• Consider different perspectives
• Engage in discussion
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Test & Revise
• Weigh the evidence
• Test out different ideas
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Integrate & Apply
• Bring together various ideas
• Consolidate and articulate new understandings
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Improving Your Critical Thinking
• Seek out ideas—old and new
• Read books, periodicals, articles, etc.
• Experiment, brainstorm, have
discussions, attend exhibits
• Take action
• Dare to be different!
• Be open minded and flexible
• Apply ideas to every facet of your life
• Always ask, “How can this be done
better?”
• Study innovation, change, and creativity
• Be curious and observant
• Look at situation through the eyes of a child
• Keep asking, “why”
• Ask good questions
• Constantly reflect on each aspect
• Who, what, where, when, why, how, if, etc.
Improving Your Critical Thinking
• Develop your reflective thinking skills
• Daydream about the situation
• Jump between logical, imaginative, and wild
thinking
• Build your knowledge and intuition base
• Learn how to research and visualize
• Use triggers
• Find the time and place that help you think best
Improving Your Critical Thinking
• Focus on the most relevant information
• Ask the right questions
• Separate facts from opinions and
assumptions
• Make sound decisions
• Set priorities
• Learn quickly
• Apply what they learn to new situations
Good Critical Thinkers:
Problem
Solving
There is a difference between Critical Thinking
and Problem Solving.
Critical Thinking is an intentional and reflective
way of looking at things or circumstances, while
Problem Solving focuses on a specific situation.
Let’s face it!In the business world, we will always have problems that need to be solved.
Any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty.
A matter about which it is difficult to decide what to do.
But first…what exactly is a problem?
Any negative situation, issue, or matter that is unresolved.
“Problem Solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems to overcome obstacles and find a solution that
best resolves the issue.”
“Don’t find fault…find a remedy!” - Henry Ford
“Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” - Henri Kaiser
The Decision Making Process
1
2
3
4
5
6
The Decision Making Process1
• Try and figure out
exactly what your
problem is, and write a
problem statement
• It helps to think of
what you have but
don’t want, or
what you want but
don’t have
2
• Brainstorm all possible
causes of the problem
• Attempt to get to the
very root cause
• Use your inner
child; keep asking
“why?”
3
• Once you’ve found the
cause, think of all
possible solutions
The Decision Making Process
• Using your list of
possible solutions,
evaluate all the
possible consequences
of each solution
• Choose the best
solution based on what
is most practical
• Look at
effectiveness
• How much risk
does the proposed
solution carry?
• Does it fit within
your budget?
• Always check back to
see how your solution
is working,
• Revise your plans as
needed
4 5 6
Decision Making Checklist
Do I have all the information I need?
Have I considered all possible solutions?
Will my decision help me meet my goals?
Does it violate any of my values?
Have I considered all the consequences?
Can I live with the consequences?
Decision Making Checklist
LEARNING FROM YOUR DECISIONS:
Think about:
• What went well?
• What did not go well?
• What could be done differently?
“You are free to choose, but the choices you make today will determine what you will have, be and do in the tomorrow of your life.”
—Zig Ziglar
Final Thoughts• Be objective—think critically
• Use your tools
• Think both short-term and long-term
• Check with others when decisions may affect them
• Stay focused
• Use your values and
goals as a compass
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
-Albert Einstein
We hope you found this information helpful. Check us out at www.miworksmo.org.
• Give us any questions/comments/concerns
• See our workshop schedule
• Learn more about Michigan Works! Muskegon-Oceana
Like what you saw?
Sources Cited:
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
Critical Thinking
Developing Your Decision Making Skills
Published: December 2009
Critical-Thinkers.com
Things That Make You Think: Critical
Thinking Quotes
By Breanne Harris, Sept. 20, 2010
Mysuperchargedlife.com
Making Positive Choices: Ideas and
Thoughts about Forming Good Habits
for a Good Life – Jeff, Jan. 22, 2010
About.com
What is Problem-Solving?
By Kendra Cherry
Leadershipnow.com
Leading Thoughts
Quotes on Problem Solving