Your team’s critical thinking skills are lacking. How can you turn this around?

This can be a serious matter. As a servant leader, you should spend some time to understand whether this is happening due to post COVID/Remote work arrangement? If the answer is yes, you need to change the way we collaborate, interact and work with hybrid/remote teams. Maybe it's time to unlearn/relearn new methods to collaborate and gradually it will improve the situation.

As a leader, set an example by consistently demonstrating critical thinking in your decision-making processes. Show your team how to analyze situations, gather information, and evaluate options. For instance, when faced with a complex project, openly share your thought process, including how you assess risks and make informed choices. Your team will learn from your approach.

I would like to give them a Case study solution and train their mind in the direction of how to think over critical thinking problems. critical thinking metrics need to be maintained for future references so, whoever joins the team in the future will take the reference and educate themselves over the period. The existing team will educate themselves as per their bandwidth and put their solution, come and discuss with each other in the available time, and put their solution for review together and collaboratively, ready to adapt the solution.

I find that leading by example helps my team tackle problems. I walk them through my problem-solving steps, encourage questions, and welcome their input. This way, we all learn to think deeply and effectively together.

Servant Leaders must be skilled at providing Constructive feedback both to individual associates and to their entire team. It is essential to get right in order to support a state of psychological safety. It is important to establish a human connection with the each associate prior to giving constructive feedback; the trust engendered facilitates the employee listening to feedback, and acting on it. With constructive feedback it is best to praise in public, and to be frank with (negative feedback) in private. Constructive feedback must be given with the intention of making the business better, along with advancing the employees career. This type of two-way partnership is a main feature of Servant Leadership. #ConstructiveFeedback ??

Regularly provide constructive feedback that encourages critical thinking. Review your team's work objectively, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Offer specific guidance on how to enhance their analytical skills. For example, if a team member struggled with data analysis, provide feedback on refining data collection methods and interpreting results effectively.

I'd say it's key to listen as much as you talk when giving feedback. It's a two-way street, and everyone can grow from it. Open ears can lead to better teamwork and skill-building.

Foster a collaborative environment where team members can share diverse perspectives and challenge each other's ideas constructively. Create platforms for brainstorming and open discussions. Encourage team members to question assumptions and consider alternative viewpoints. For instance, during a project meeting, prompt team members to explore different approaches to solving a complex issue.

Foster teamwork for better ideas. Thinking deeply benefits from varied views. Get your people to join forces on tough problems. Set up chances for them to chat, argue, and swap thoughts. This way, they'll use their shared smarts and get better at talking and working with others.

Provide them opportunities to develop growth and autonomy. Low stakes projects that fail fast are often better teaching opportunities than high stakes/visibility projects. Work your team members up to those and build their confidence. Trust your team members. Show gratitude for a job a well done.

Challenge your team with complex problems and assignments that require critical thinking. Present real-world scenarios or case studies that stimulate analysis and creative problem-solving. Encourage your team to delve deep into the root causes of challenges and explore innovative solutions. Challenge sparks growth and enhances critical thinking skills.

To foster sharp thinking, mix up tasks and ask broad questions. This can spark creativity, encourage learning, and reveal hidden talents within your team.

When critical thinking takes a dive, the first thing I look at is people's positivity scores; their energy levels. This may be controversial to share, but I believe more and more servant leaders are adept at reading energy. Whether you can see an aura or not, ask yourself, can you feel it? Is their vibe gray and sludgy? Or is it bright and magnetic? (If critical thinking is lacking, it's most likely gray and sludgy.) When energy is thick, stiff, or immovable, there are some things you can do to spice it up. Literally. Spices may be a great start. (See Ayurveda insights to re-balance energy from stasis to flow.) Simple human 1:1 personalized attention may also reveal something going on in their life. Ask. Listen.

Provide resources and training opportunities to support your team's development in critical thinking. Offer access to courses, workshops, or literature on critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. For example, if your team struggles with data interpretation, organize training sessions on statistical analysis methods. Investing in their growth demonstrates your commitment to their success.

Help your crew grow. Be there for them, offering the help and gear they need. Cheer on their wins and give credit for hard work. Make a space where everyone feels okay to share ideas and feelings. This builds a strong, trusting team bond.

What I found historically is when a team is struggling with critical thinking its usually a direct result of the leader doing all of the critical thinking for them. You have to stop providing the answers, even when it would be easier and faster to do so. Provide space and grace for them to figure it out on their own, with your support. That also means being comfortable with failure. Critical Thinking is a muscle and like all muscles it has to be used to be strengthened. Ask more questions and provide less answers.

Consider the power of curiosity. Encourage your team to be curious and ask questions. Curiosity fuels critical thinking by driving individuals to explore, inquire, and seek deeper understanding. Create a culture where curiosity is celebrated, and where questions are seen as opportunities for learning and growth. Additionally, provide time for reflection. Encourage your team to step back from the daily tasks and reflect on their work and decisions. This reflective practice helps individuals identify patterns, learn from experiences, and refine their critical thinking abilities. By applying these strategies and creating a culture of critical thinking, you can empower your team to excel in problem-solving and decision-making.

You may want to encourage team members to reflect on their experiences and what they have learned, and to share their reflections with the team. Provide opportunities for team members to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills through real-world case studies and scenarios, such as business decision-making, ethical dilemmas, crisis management, project planning, and customer service challenges. Then use these exercises, along with technology such as simulations, virtual reality, and online tools, to facilitate critical thinking and problem-solving. Finally, offer regular feedback and encouragement to build their confidence and motivation.