Applying Critical Thinking in the Workplace: An Essential Skill for Managers and Employees

OVERVIEW

It is our nature to think—we all do it. However, a good share of our thinking is biased, distorted, or incomplete. Critical thinking is an essential skill for both managers and employees. Few of us are effective critical thinkers though research suggests that leaders believe they think quite well. Critical thinking ensures we pose the right questions, view others’ viewpoints with merit, and challenge assumptions in strategic thinking, decision making and creative problem solving. Non-critical thinkers shoot down ideas before they are understood, or take action based on faulty assumptions resulting in a business disaster. Teams, as well as individuals, must learn to think critically which requires a work atmosphere that is conducive to challenging others’ perspectives.

Critical thinking enables teams to develop positive insights and ideas that lead to effective action. It focuses on reframing and rethinking issues so that the right problems are addressed, and requires challenging conventional wisdom. Using the process of critical thinking leads to reasoned conclusions, better decisions, fewer mistakes, and improves collaboration among team members.

There is not a consistent definition of critical thinking. The American Academy of Advanced Thinking defines “Critical thinking as the systematic approach to dissecting and analyzing problems, and developing solutions through benchmarking best practices.” Critical thinking involves the ability to not simply accept all arguments and perspectives.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND

New research has discovered that college graduates do not possess the necessary Critical Thinking skills employers are searching for.  Pick up almost any trade journal, magazine or newspaper and they are filled with articles about new graduates (and even seasoned employees) missing the mark in exhibiting critical thinking in their jobs.  A 2014 study found that job postings listing critical thinking skills as a requirement for a position had doubled since 2009. The study found that 21,000 healthcare and 6700 management job postings referenced critical thinking as a requirement for the position.

AREAS COVERED

• Define critical thinking
• List characteristics of critical thinkers
• Examine the critical thinking process
• Explore the elements of reasoning
• Discuss critical thinking techniques for creative problem solving and decision making
• Identify organizational, team, and individual critical thinking barriers

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This critical thinking skills training explores why the skill has emerged as an essential trait in today’s workplace and how it helps in creative problem solving and improved decision making.

WHO WILL BENEFIT

• Senior managers
• Middle managers
• Project leaders
• Directors
• Supervisors
• Professionals in all industries

Dr. Susan Strauss RN Ed.D.

Years of Experience: 52+ years

Areas of Expertise: Workplace Harassment, Organization Development, and Management/Leadership Development

Dr. Susan Strauss RN Ed.D. is a national and international speaker, trainer and consultant. Her specialty areas include education and workplace harassment, discrimination and bullying; organization development, and management/leadership development. Her clients are from healthcare, education, business, law, and government organizations from both the public and private sector.  Susan conducts bullying and harassment investigations, works as an expert witness for education and workplace harassment and bullying lawsuits, and coaches those managers and employees that need assistance in stopping their harassing or bullying behavior.

Dr. Strauss has authored over 30 books, book chapters, and articles.  Susan has been featured on 20/20, CBS Evening News, and other national and international television and radio programs as well as interviewed for newspaper and journal articles such as the Times of London, Lawyers Weekly, and Harvard Education Newsletter. 

Susan has presented at international conferences in Botswana, Egypt, Thailand, Israel, Palestine, Bali, Lebanon, and the U.S., and conducted sex discrimination research in Poland.  She has consulted with professionals from other countries such as Israel, England, Australia, Canada and St. Maartin. In addition to nursing education, she has her masters in community health and holds a doctorate in organizational leadership.