Leading with Critical Thinking

"Critical thinking is the key to unlocking the door to knowledge and insight." -

Benjamin Bloom.

Today’s Summary

• Importance of Critical Thinking in Leadership.

• Essential Strategies for Critical Thinking.

Imagine being in the difficult decision to promote a team member to a higher role.

How sure are you that you are making the right decision?

Do you have the strength to check if you have enough information to hand out promotions?

How will making the wrong decision make your team no longer see you as their leader?

Leadership and critical thinking go hand in hand. 

This approach has been a game-changer for leaders like Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo) and Jeff Bezos. 

You’ll go from feeling uncertain. You'll struggle with too much information. And you'll worry about losing confidence.

To enjoy understanding how you can think to help your team. And analyze data and make good choices.

What is critical thinking in leadership?

Critical thinking means to analyze information.

It also means to challenge assumptions and make informed decisions.

If you’re struggling with how to leverage critical thinking.

Then you need to learn to collect helpful info.

You must make correct decisions and know when and how to deal with surprises.

Question Assumptions

“Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

— Alan Alda.

Not every obstacle you face is as it seems.

Pause and challenge your assumptions and the assumptions of others.

Even if it causes a temporary feeling of discomfort.

You must ensure that problems are questioned for the benefit of your team.

Identify.

Look for absolutes and generalizations.

These statements point to assumptions.

These include phrases like "everyone knows" or "we've always done it this way."

Challenge.

Seek evidence. Is there data or research that supports or contradicts the assumption?

Engage.

Discuss assumptions with others.

Encourage open communication and diverse perspectives within your team or circle.

Analyze information

Mastering critical thinking is vital for good leadership. Analyzing information is the foundation of this skill.

There are moments when you must dissect complex situations.

Along with uncovering key details, potential biases, and underlying causes.

Balancing team management and meeting deadlines can be overwhelming,

These 3 practical tips can make it easier to manage analyzing information.

Who, What, Why?

Who created the information?

What is their agenda or bias?

Why should I trust their information? 

Think Big Picture and Apply.

Don't analyze info alone.

Connect it to the big picture and use it to inform your decisions and strategies.

Verify Evidence.

Don't take information at face value.

Find data and research to check its accuracy.

Avoid making decisions based on flawed reasoning.

Make Informed Decisions

Making informed decisions begins with pressing pause.

Each decision you make will benefit your team or the total opposite.

It is vital to have the ability to think about the outcomes after making decisions.

By rejecting critical thinking, your decisions will make your team feel undervalued. It will make them stressed and reduce the quality of their work.

Here's how you can improve your critical thinking and make better-informed decisions.

Embrace learning.

Approach challenges with a growth mindset. Be open to new knowledge and diverse views.

Gather diverse input.

Surround yourself with people from different backgrounds and ask for their insights.

Practice "what-if" scenarios.

It is essential to think about the possible outcomes of your choices. This will let you prepare for any difficulties and plan well.

Reflect and learn.

Analyze past decisions, identify areas for improvement, and learn from past experiences.

Conclusion

Mastering critical thinking is not a goal but a lifelong journey.

Each struggle you experience comes with a lesson learned.

I wish you a productive week ahead.

P.S. Have questions or insights about critical thinking?

I would love to hear them. Please share them with me by replying to this email!