What do you do if your logical reasoning capabilities need strengthening?

Want to beef up your logical reasoning like a brain gym workout? Start by getting cozy with the basics: analyzing arguments, spotting premises and conclusions, and differentiating between your inductive and deductive reasoning—think of them as your mental dumbbells. And don’t forget to sidestep those logical fallacies; they’re the banana peels on your path to clear thinking. Mastering these fundamentals isn't just about showing off at trivia night; it's about building a rock-solid foundation for your brain to tackle complex challenges with ease.

To enhance your logical reasoning, first clarify your 'why'—understand the reasons behind your decisions and the outcomes you're aiming for. Next, grasp the fundamentals of logic by studying key principles and methods of reasoning. Practice regularly by solving logic puzzles, engaging in strategic games, or using logic reasoning in real life scenarios. By doing so, you can develop sharper analytical skills, helping you make more informed decisions in both professional and personal contexts.

When looking to improve your reasoning, and therefore your decision making, three things immediately come to mind. First, mental models. Mental models are your default strategic and tactical thinking modes. Do some research into mental models and figure out which ones are strong within yourself. Reflect on your mental models (there are a lot) and be curious on how to expand your thinking. Second, explore your cognitive biases. We all grow up developing biases based on our experiences. These are a subset mental models. Lastly, apply a different mental model for reasoning or exploring solutions like design thinking. Training yourself in applying a new mental model for reasoning broadens and strengthens your reasoning capabilities.

Reasoning and improvement of the same will include higher thinking which means becoming aware of your own processes of thought, analyzing and evaluating it in order to upgrade the effectiveness of the resultant solution. Reasoning skills aid young ones to become aware of their own processes of thought so that contemplative thinking becomes easier.

A trusted advisor, like a coach or a mentor, can provide tailored advice. Exploring case studies from the advisor's own repertoire invites practical insights and fosters a deeper understanding of different approaches. Discussing specific scenarios where logical pitfalls occurred offers a dual benefit: it reveals personal blind spots and equips the coach to provide more contextual guidance. Additionally, requesting direct feedback on thought processes during decision-making simulations can illuminate areas needing refinement. In my experience, facilitating sessions where leaders articulate their reasoning step-by-step has proven effective. It clarifies thinking patterns and develops a more structured approach to problem-solving.

Working on your mental models and cognitive biases is particularly hard on your own. Employing a coach or advisor can help you be critical of existing mental models and help you develop your capabilities in applying new mental models and tools for reasoning. A coach can hold this safe space for you to practice, learn and grow.

Sharpen Your Mind: Enhancing Logical Reasoning for Success. Solve puzzles, riddles, and logical reasoning exercises regularly to keep your mind sharp and improve your ability to analyze complex situations. Discuss problems with others to gain new insights and approaches, helping you think more critically and logically. Strengthening your logical reasoning skills through regular practice and seeking diverse perspectives can enhance your problem-solving abilities and decision-making, leading to tremendous success in various aspects of your life.

One can learn to be build a skill within through practice and building the muscle for it. As humans we have the ability of logical reasoning and emotional intelligence. Sometimes, we prefer to use one over the other. So recognising it and taking small steps to build the skill through puzzles, participating in discussions of objective in nature with people whom one feels safe with, analysing situations and problems to support to build this skill.

When starting out learning new mental models for reasoning and creative strategies, it can be helpful to find situations where you can practice outside of your coaching sessions. For example, try to discover cognitive biases or mental models in books, movies, corporate strategies and mission and vision statements. As with polarities, once you see them, you can't unsee them.

Follow up is key in my experience, but it's not just about learning for the sake of learning. You need to actively seek out challenges that push you to apply & strengthen your logical reasoning skills. Reading books & taking courses is a start, but it's not enough. You need to put that knowledge into practice. Seek out complex problems & dive in headfirst. Embrace the struggle, because that's where real growth happens. Why is this important? Because logical reasoning isn't just an academic exercise; it's a critical skill for navigating the complexities of business & life. It's what allows you to make sound decisions under pressure, to see patterns & connections others miss, & to innovate in the face of uncertainty. So, don't just learn—do!

To strengthen your logical reasoning capabilities, especially with a focus on reflection, I would suggest incorporating a few strategies into your daily routine. a) First, practice the habit of asking yourself active questions that challenge you to reflect on your actions and decisions. For example, instead of asking "Why did I make that decision?" ask "What was the outcome of my decision, and what can I learn from it?" b) Additionally, engage in regular self-assessment to identify patterns in your thinking and decision-making. This can be done by keeping a journal where you not only record the decisions you make but also the thought process behind them. Over time, review your journal entries to spot trends and areas for improvement.

In real life challenges, try to remain objective as long as possible. Figure out which cognitive biases and mental models are triggered within you when experiencing a challenge. Whether it be at work or in your family life. Pause. Take a moment to reflect. What happens within you? What do you think happens within the other?

Logical reasoning capabilities seems but are not just confined to left brain. It requires creativity and critical thinking to build the logical reasoning muscle. Simulation, and board games are great to navigate real business challenges in a created environment by practicing problem solving and decision making skills. Continuous feedback and the impact of actions on bottom line allows to identify and work on the gaps with continuous learning about the industry and go to market strategies. Coaching enables a deep dive into expanding possibilities to resolve critical issues in a safe environment and find exceptional solutions.

Play brain games: Sudoku, puzzles, and logic riddles challenge your thinking and pattern recognition. Engage in debates: Discuss current events or thought experiments. This forces you to analyze arguments and form your own. Learn new things: Stepping outside your comfort zone keeps your brain active and helps you approach problems from new angles. Identify biases: We all have them! Be mindful of how your own perspective might influence your reasoning. Practice critical thinking: When presented with information, ask questions! Analyze evidence and consider alternative explanations.

When I realize that my logical reasoning is not generating success, I try to reflect my strengths and weaknesses. Once this is done, I seek more technical knowledge for what was identified as a weakness and improve what was already identified as a strength. I really like using similar techniques such as stock market analysis: Technical Analysis: based on data and graphs aimed at the short and medium term; Fundamental Analysis: based on micro and macro economic data, information from the sector in which it operates, aimed at the medium and long term.