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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