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Ask Questions

The main takeaway, for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning course, our professor instilled in us was "to ask questions". Much of the discussion time was directed around him asking simple questions. He would never give us 'the answer'. He would ask leading and loaded questions to see our thought process. Class time was spent in open dialogue with specific guidelines and critical thinking grew from there. This could be applied to meetings in organizations when a specific problem is posed. Students also had to learn to recognize the difference between opinions and statements; explaining why, with no bias. This could also be helpful in a business setting to weed out bad proposals. As well as to make sure where the facts are coming from and if they're reliable. The best way to define issues, understand multiple viewpoints, and generating well-crafted arguments is just to jump in there and talk! Ask questions and lots of them. How can you know what's wrong if you don't ever address it? How can you understand multiple viewpoints and generate well-crafted arguments if you never have those conversations in the first place?

A second key understanding...during debates or arguments is if both parties cannot agree on the facts, you might as well stop the discussion right then and there. Being open-minded was a huge advantage when learning how to flex one's critical thinking skills. The professor mentioned that it was extremely dangerous to go into a debate or presentation thinking one's opinion was the best, no one could prove it wrong, and that nothing could be added to the presentation. You cannot mold a discussion without a foundation. Just think of the highly charged, age old debate between the Christian and the Atheist...exactly. 

No Emotional Charge

Third, for the basis of remaining unbiased, take all the emotional charge out of the debate. Things just start rolling downhill when there's emotional charge in a debate. Just think of the 1, 2, 3 technique that some may have to do before engaging in conversation with others when things get a little too heated. Why do some have to do that? So they don't say something they'll regret or may not entirely mean. Why is that? Emotional charge...

Body Language & Critical Thinking

Finally, paying attention to not only what people are saying, but also how they are saying it.

During the course, a debate paper was assigned and students had to compare and contrast the styles of each debater individually; giving reason as to why and how they came to that conclusion. From class dialogue, it was concluded that individuals as a whole are very susceptible to small non-verbal cues and it can be very costly to some.

For example, students were discussing presidential debates. Two in particular; between Bill Clinton and Bush Sr. then Ronald Reagan and Howard. Bill Clinton at one point got down close to an audience member and engaged them in a personal manner. Comparable to Bush Sr. who was firmly connected to the platform and at the same time was caught looking at his watch! Another example was Reagan and Howard. Reagan came from the film industry, so he was polished at addressing and interacting with the public. As for Howard who kept stumbling over his debate questions in his response. Presentation is everything and is equally as important as what is being said. Personal responsibility of how one presents would be very beneficial when fostering learning. Actions speak louder than words; people often might lead others more by example than merely words; body language plays a major role.

Solution

Teaching and fostering these skills in organizations might prove to be a bit more difficult than the idea of them, but still an important aspect to aim for. Personal responsibility and awareness should be the first area of concentration when trying to foster these traits; making employees aware of definitions and the need for them to be self-aware when engaging in communication or problem solving. Additionally, monthly meetings could be held to where small workshops could engage employees in open dialogue, question and answers, and small skit role play to enable employees to get a hands on experience in trying to flex their critical thinking skills. 

In today's fast paced world, critical thinking skills are a must for any individual. Personal responsibility and awareness is the first step in trying to enhance these skills. Integrated enhancement of employee's skills into organizations would be a competitive, wise element to incorporate into one's business plan. Critical thinking solves problems; it lends individuals to more than just memorization and short term memory. It fosters skills that can be used not only today, but also for years to come. There are traits are essential to enhancing critical thinking skills. Traits that are teachable, but once learned can make critical thinking much more enjoyable for everyone involved. Critical thinking skills can be thought of as a muscle, if you don't stretch, focus on, and exercise that muscle it will never grow or produce much results. So the more one works that muscle the easier it will get to lift the weight and possibly become less painful over time. For the benefit of organizations, individuals, and learning as a whole, gather up the gym bags and hit those weights!