Successfully getting through your workday takes a lot of knowledge, talent and most importantly, critical thinking. There are so many benefits of learning how to think critically and “thinking about how you think”. Although some people are better thinkers than others, everyone can continue to learn and practice critical thinking. Let’s take a look at exactly what critical thinking is and why it can improve your professional and personal life.
What is Critical Thinking?
When we engage in critical thinking, we are actually examining ideas from people around us, evaluating them based on what we already know, and then making decisions based on their merit. The goal of critical thinking is to minimize your subjectivity, or how you feel about things, and focus on being objective. Thinking critically means taking in all sides of an argument and evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. It also involves being prepared to question other people’s claims about things.
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Why is Critical Thinking Important?
Being a critical thinker gives us an edge when it comes to assessing people’s ideas, arguments and beliefs. This advantage can be used to prove your point and get your way. On the other hand, you may have to defend your own thoughts against other people’s bias and stereotypical thinking. As a critical thinker, you can look around, assess evidence and weed out illogical thinking.
Critical thoughts allow you to create strong arguments of your own. You can, therefore, present and justify any claims you make based on the evidence you have gathered and evaluated. Practicing critical thinking will allow you to develop better skills at developing reasoned arguments. You will be able to use and draw upon evidence to validate your own arguments and ideas.
Critical thinking and independent learning go hand in hand. The more you learn, remember, apply, and use wisely can go a long way in the workplace. There is an older reference known as the “Thinking Triangle” by Bloom (1956) which contains 6 levels of intellectual skill. The higher you go up the pyramid, the more intellectually skilled you become. On the bottom of the pyramid is to “Know”. This means being aware of something and remembering information related to it. One step up is to “Comprehend” which involves having understanding. Beyond that is to “Apply”. This means using the knowledge you have collected. Another step higher is to “Analyze”, meaning to make a methodical and detailed examination. “Synthesize”, is next and involves the combination of information and ideas into something new. And last, “Evaluate” is where you make judgments about the value of information. As you can see, with each increasing step up the pyramid, the processes become more intense and sophisticated. Practice each step concerning problems and people at work and you can master critical thought.
Final Words on Critical Thinking in the Workplace
Many people base their thoughts on stereotypes and their own personal biases and do not engage in critical thinking. But why? They’re simply not in the habit of doing so. Perhaps there’s no motivation or pressure to think critically. Using your brain takes a lot of energy, and some people just don’t want to exert this level of higher thinking. It many times is simply easier to accept reality as it is than to analyze it and actively question it.
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