Outside the Box: Three Steps to Develop Critical Thinking in Your Workforce

An Adecco 2023 article states, “In a recent survey, 64% of hiring managers said they have difficulty finding employees with adequate critical thinking skills.”? Even though critical skills seem like basic knowledge that every candidate should possess, critical thinking is a very teachable skill if they are qualified in the other vital areas.

What is critical thinking? Simply defined, critical thinking is a powerful processing tool used to solve problems. It’s a brain exercise that helps people create solutions by considering the options available to reach a desired outcome.

I’m a professor and data analytics professional. I firmly believe that every course should prioritize the embedding of critical thinking in students' learning. As talent development professionals, I see your urgent need for this skill in the workplace.

Here are the three steps to teaching critical thinking.

1. Give people an assignment that requires critical thinking. So any assignment that has some complexity to it. That assignment can be part of course work or a real work assignment.
2. If the person comes to you to give them the answer, tell them that you are teaching them critical thinking. Prepare them to know this is an opportunity to think critically. You don’t want to insult their intelligence or make them feel inadequate. Make it engaging and encouraging. You can start by:
3. When they complete the task, help them solve problems or think about what the solution should look like. You don't have to know the answer; help guide them to understand the problem better by utilizing the 5-step problem-solving approach.

They will develop a richer understanding of thinking critically and solving problems. It will help build their confidence and give them a repeatable way of approaching different hurdles that working presents.

Interested in learning more about how to implement more critical thinking strategies? Direct message me for your free critical thinking worksheet.?

Is critical thinking lacking in your organization? What strategies have you implemented? What are your thoughts on the importance of critical thinking for success?

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