Critical Thinking

Presented by Holly Klingler, M.A., M.L.I.S.

When you hear “critical thinking” or “a good critical

thinker,” what comes to mind?

We often think of many tools that use critical

thinking: Problem Solver

Good Communicator

Creative

Open-minded

Organized

Knowledgeable

Good Collaborator

Mentally Active

Insightful

Skilled Discussant

Good Decision Maker

Ethical

Adaptable

Passionate

Good Analyzer

Remain Curious

Self-Aware

Critical Thinking:

The act of reassessing or challenging your thinking process/ abilities so that you can think accurately and efficiently.

Critical Thinking:

Take a moment to reflect on your thinking process as a manager.

What problems do you feel exist in your thinking process, or you wish to improve on?

Take a moment to reflect on your thinking process.

What areas of your thinking do you feel you are strong in?

How have these skills helped you?

Critical Thinking:

Good News Is:

Everyone has been, is and can be a good critical thinker!

Our goal is to discover WHAT skills create a lifelong and conscious critical thinker.

Critical Thinking:

The act of reassessing or challenging your thinking process/ abilities (tools) so that you can think….

Must keep in mind two perspectives:

Capable of multitasking

Able to process info quickly and intuitively

Able to adapt when needed

Limited to some degree

Make mistakes if not careful

Influenced BY outside sources too

The human mind is AMAZING

The human mind is NOT perfect

BUT

10+1= ?What is the answer?

A bat and ball cost $1.10The bat costs one dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

What is the answer?

*Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, 2011

First answer: 11Second answer: five cents

More than 50% of students at Harvard, MIT and Princeton got the bat-and-ball puzzle incorrect. More than 80% of other universities had the incorrect answer as well. *

Must be “one dollar more”

$1.05 + $.05 = $1.10

Two of the biggest barriers to critical thinking:

1. Not keeping in mind that we can be wrong or make mistakes!

Two of the biggest barriers to critical thinking:

1. Not keeping in mind that we can be wrong or make mistakes!

2. Assuming that mistakes and being wrong is simply a bad thing!

Considering Critical Thinking:

• What specific benefits can this balance in thinking and action have for you in your management position?

• How will it help you do your job better? Or what issues/problems can it help you avoid?

Considering Critical Thinking:What specific goals can you set in order to achieve that balance in thinking and action for you and your employees?

Improve Accuracy Improve Efficiency

• Clear expectations

• Classes or training

• Meetings/conferences/mentors

• Allow time to learn/take risks

• Clear deadlines

• Meetings/check-ins

• Set limits on time/resources

• Provide organizational tools or methods

We can vastly improve our critical thinking (skills) if we

remember:

• The balance between being accurate and efficient.

• The mind is amazing but not 100% perfect to avoid overconfidence.

• To continually reassess and challenge our thinking process in each situation.

Tools/Skills of Critical Thinking:

Problem Solver

Good Communicator

Creative

Open-minded

Organized

Knowledgeable

Good Collaborator

Mentally Active

Insightful

Skilled Discussant

Good Decision Maker

Ethical

Adaptable

Passionate

Good Analyzer

Remain Curious

Self-Aware

Three main skills to focus on:

(Self) Aware

Open-minded

Adaptable

Be (Self) Aware

• Biases• Experiences• Values• Perspective• Emotions• Health…

All influence your thinking!

Be Open-Minded

• Active attention

• See alternatives

• Seek connections

• Appreciate ambiguity

• And…

Allow yourself to be wrong.

Be Adaptable

• Learn from mistakes AND victories because things will ALWAYS change.

• Adapt is ACTION. Change your environment or your environment will change you.

Critical Thinking is a Lifelong PROCESS

Not easy and takes constant diligence

and hard work.

Methods to Improve Critical Thinking:

• Actively listen/look

• Ask questions

• Follow evidence

• Be curious and relate

• Be flexible and creative

Methods to Improve Critical Thinking:

• Assume the positive

• Be responsive

• See a lesson in everything

• Work together

• Laugh and ENJOY change!

Considering Critical Thinking:

• What is one skill or action that you will immediately implement today to become a better and more aware critical thinker?

Considering Critical Thinking:

• What is one skill or action that you will immediately implement today to become a better and more aware critical thinker?

• What is one method or approach that you will take today to improve critical thinking skills in your employees?

Critical Thinking Questions:

• What is the purpose of my thinking (goal/objective)?

• What precise question (problem) am I trying to answer?

• Within what point of view (perspective) am I thinking?

• What concepts or ideas are central to my thinking?

• What am I taking for granted, what assumptions am I making?

Critical Thinking: What Every Person Needs to Survive in a Rapidly Changing World.

Critical Thinking Questions:

• What information am I using (data, facts, observation)?

• How am I interpreting that information?

• What conclusions am I coming to?

• If I accept the conclusions, what are the implications?

• What would the consequences be if I put my thoughts into action?

Critical Thinking: What Every Person Needs to Survive in a Rapidly Changing World.

Thank you for learning about Critical Thinking!

Please feel free to ask any questions or comment.