What is Critical Thinking?
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Today’s Overview:
We all “think”; it's a natural part of being human. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, flawed, partial, or simply uninformed.
Unexamined thinking can lead to costly errors, impacting both our work and personal lives.
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. It involves questioning and evaluating what you see, hear, and read, rather than accepting it at face value.
There are three simple things you can do to train yourself to become a more effective critical thinker: (1) question assumptions, (2) reason through logic, and (3) diversify thought. They may sound obvious, but consistently applying these habits will help you become better at a skill that is increasingly valued in today's job market.
What is Critical Thinking?
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” - Albert Einstein
As a Project Manager, I'm constantly reminded of the role's complexity. It’s one of the things I love most about this career.
Each project I take on presents its unique set of challenges, from varying owners and locations to distinct project variables, all demanding a tailored approach.
This diversity in projects requires not only a mix of skills and finesse but also highlights one consistently crucial ability: thinking both critically and strategically.
The reality is, we all “think”; it's a natural part of being human. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, flawed, partial, or simply uninformed.
The decisions we make and the outcomes of our projects are profoundly influenced by the quality of our thought processes. Unexamined thinking can lead to costly errors, impacting both our work and personal lives.
Excellence in project management, therefore, hinges on deliberately honing our thinking skills. Fortunately, critical thinking is a skill that can be learned and developed.
Consider critical thinking as a compass for life, guiding you through the maze of challenges and decisions. It's less about using complex terminology or engaging in debates, and more about simple yet profound questions like “Why?” or “How credible is this source?”
It encourages us to embrace diverse perspectives, perhaps during a casual coffee conversation, or to consider alternative viewpoints to a problem.
Critical thinking allows us to successfully navigate through the flood of information and make decisions that are well-informed and clear.
Critical Thinking Defined
Critical thinking is the process of objectively analyzing information to form a reasoned judgment. It involves evaluating various sources like data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings.
Imagine you're a detective looking at a puzzle. Critical thinking is like examining all the pieces carefully, questioning them, and figuring out how they fit together.
It's more than taking information at face value. It involves diving deeper, asking "why" and "how," examining facts, and making well-thought-out judgments.
Someone with critical thinking skills can:
Understand connections between different ideas.
Assess the significance and relevance of arguments and thoughts.
Construct and evaluate arguments effectively.
Spot inconsistencies and flaws in reasoning.
Tackle problems methodically and consistently.
Reflect critically on their own beliefs and assumptions.
From my personal experience and research findings, I’ve pulled together three simple strategies to improve your critical thinking:
Question Assumptions: Be inquisitive about everything. Challenge existing beliefs instead of accepting them blindly.
Reason Through Logic: Don't accept ideas merely because "that's how it's always been." Apply logical thinking to understand and evaluate assertions.
Diversify Thought: Approach problems from various angles. Engage in discussions, listen to different viewpoints, and consider them thoughtfully.
Now, you might be thinking, “I do that already.” And you probably do, but just not as deliberately and thoroughly as you could. Developing these three key habits of mind go a long way in helping you become better at a skill that is increasingly valued in today's job market.
What is Strategic Thinking?
Now, think of being a chess player planning several moves ahead. Strategic thinking is about envisioning your desired outcome, recognizing your current position, and mapping out the most effective route to reach your goal.
It’s about having a long-term plan, foreseeing future scenarios, and being prepared for them.
Enhancing Your Strategic Thinking Skills:
Consider Future Impacts: Reflect on how your decisions today will affect your goals in the future.
Set Clear Objectives: Define what you aim to achieve clearly and concisely.
Devise a Plan: Chart out the steps needed to achieve your goal, while being mindful of potential challenges you might encounter.
Remain Adaptable: Stay open to new information and be willing to adjust your plan as circumstances change.
The Intersection of Critical and Strategic Thinking:
While they're not the same, critical and strategic thinking do overlap. Critical thinking sharpens your ability to process and understand information, which is crucial for effective strategic planning.
By critically assessing your options and the information at hand, you lay the groundwork for a solid strategic plan. One supports the other.
In project management, using both helps you make better decisions and create effective plans for your projects.
How Our Brains Work: Understanding Fast and Slow Thinking
In his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," Daniel Kahneman explains how our brains process information using two systems:
System 1 (Fast Thinking): This is our instinctive and automatic way of thinking. It operates subconsciously and helps us make quick decisions with little effort. It's like an automatic reflex, useful for recognizing familiar faces or reacting swiftly to avoid a stumble.
System 2 (Slow Thinking): In contrast, this is our thoughtful, analytical mode of thinking. It requires conscious effort and concentration. System 2 is engaged when we face complex tasks, such as solving difficult math problems, making significant decisions, or learning new things that demand focused attention.
System 1 is fast and intuitive, driven by instinct and our past experiences. System 2, on the other hand, is where all our critical thinking happens. It’s slower, more deliberate, and logical.
“The automatic operations of System 1 generate surprisingly complex patterns of ideas, but only the slower System 2 can construct thoughts in an orderly series of steps.”
– Daniel Kahneman in Thinking, Fast and Slow
Although we like to believe our decisions are always rational, often our instinctive System 1 influences our choices more than we realize. Recognizing how these two systems interact in our daily lives helps us become more aware of potential biases in our decision-making.
For effective critical thinking, it's essential to dig deeper and engage System 2, allowing us to carefully analyze and evaluate information before concluding. This understanding is crucial for those seeking to improve their critical thinking skills.
Strengthening Your Critical Thinking Skills
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates
Use these questions to dig deeper whenever you discover or discuss new information.
They're designed to be broad and versatile, encouraging you to explore various angles and perspectives, which is crucial for refining your critical thinking.
WHO ? …
Benefits from this?
Is this harmful to?
Makes decisions about this?
Is most directly affected?
Have you also heard discuss this?
Would be the best person to consult?
Deserves recognition for this?
WHAT ? …
Are the strengths/weaknesses?
Is another perspective?
Is another alternative?
Would be a counter-argument?
Is the best/worst case scenario?
Is most/least important?
Can we do to make a positive change?
Is getting in the way of our action?
WHERE ? …
Would we see this in the real world?
Are there similar concepts/situations?
Is there the most need for this?
In the world would this be a problem?
Can we get more information?
Do we go for help with this?
Will this idea take us?
Are the areas of improvement?
WHEN ? …
Is this acceptable/unacceptable?
Would this benefit our society?
Would this cause a problem?
Is the best time to take action?
Will we know we’ve succeeded?
Has this played a part in our industry?
Can we expect this to change?
Should we ask for help with this?
WHY ? …
Is this a problem/challenge?
Is it relevant to me/others?
Is this the best/worst scenario?
Are people people influenced by this?
Should people know about this?
Has it been this way for so long?
Have we allowed this to happen?
Is there a need for this today?
HOW ? …
Is this similar to ______?
Does this disrupt things?
Do we know the truth about this?
Will we approach this safely?
Does this benefit us/others?
Does this harm us/others?
Do we see this in the future?
Can we change this for our good?
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, while the strategies for enhancing critical thinking might seem straightforward, their application is surprisingly uncommon in the business landscape.
Many organizations and teams overlook the necessity of engaging in deep, thorough reasoning processes.
As influential project managers, embracing critical thinking not only leads to more successful project outcomes but also creates a culture of innovation and thoughtful problem-solving within our teams.
In a field as dynamic and challenging as ours, the ability to think critically is not just an asset; it's a necessity for staying ahead. So, as we move forward, let's commit to honing this skill, ensuring that our projects not only meet but exceed expectations.
Until next week,
Kyle Nitchen
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