1. Critical thinking for me means being able to see the interconnection/ dependencies of things and their subsequent relationships. I see it as multi-dimensional thinking vs. linear. 2. Yes, it can be developed through complex problem solving. I'm guessing a rare few are born with this ability, but for the rest of us, it must be developed. I recall in our 3rd year engineering class, everyone was complaining to the profs about the class material and what use if any it would have in real life. His answer has stuck with me over 30 years later. He simply said we are here to train you how to solve problems. That's it. All of the complex calculus, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, etc. was all there to teach us how to think in order to solve problems. 3. IMHO, absolutely without a doubt.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Dec 10, 2019 7:01 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Steve
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.
I found your perspective very interesting: "Critical thinking for me means being able to see the interconnection/ dependencies of things and their subsequent relationships. I see it as multi-dimensional thinking vs. linear.."
I would like to know if, in your opinion:
- What skills are important for critical thinking?
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Thomas
Thanks for sharing 5 tips for developing critical thinking:
- Formulate the question
- Gather your information
- Apply the information
- Consider the implications
- Explore other points of view
Very useful, no doubt
If we apply them systematically we will be developing our critical thinking Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dec 01, 2019 7:20 AM
Replying to Sreepathi Ramireddygari
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Interesting question Luis.
I like this definition of "Critical Thinking":
“ an intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information that has been gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication”
It's an essential and important skill for PMs to analyze all available facts objectively, with no judgements or biases (i.e. Open to everything and attached to nothing), and apply the knowledge/skills to solve the problems.
Here are some of the articles I liked on this subject:
Dear Sreepathi
Thank you for participating in this reflection, for your opinion and for the abundant amount of information shared.
I just glanced through the material you submitted
It seems very fruitful
I will read carefully and then give my opinion Saving Changes...
Komal MathurSenior Manager - Operation Excellence| Optum GlobalHyderabad, Ap, India
Ability to analyze information and take bold but ethical decisons wiftly with empathy to stakeholders. thats the need of the future.
Skills that complement AI driven decison making
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Dec 10, 2019 7:05 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Komal
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.
I found your perspective very interesting: "Ability to analyze information and take bold but ethical decisons wiftly with empathy to stakeholders."
I would like to know if, in your opinion:
- How can it be developed?
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dec 01, 2019 6:19 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
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Hi Luis, whom are you referring to with 'the 4 key competencies'?
Think there are different views on the market about this. PMI research showed the importance of Leadership, emotional intelligence etc.
All of these have been important in the past, the priorities change though.
Critical thinking for me is a rational view on problem solving, exhibited e.g. thru design thinking, APS, Kepner-Tregoe, GROW etc. Think rationality and the importance of data for decision making is overrated. In the end most (all?) decisions are made by our guts and should include ethical judging.
Dear Thomas:
Coincidences or not, you can read this article on the 4 Key 21st Century Skills
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dec 01, 2019 7:20 AM
Replying to Sreepathi Ramireddygari
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Interesting question Luis.
I like this definition of "Critical Thinking":
“ an intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information that has been gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication”
It's an essential and important skill for PMs to analyze all available facts objectively, with no judgements or biases (i.e. Open to everything and attached to nothing), and apply the knowledge/skills to solve the problems.
Here are some of the articles I liked on this subject:
I just read the first link you shared:
"Agile critical thinking
how to cope with change, complexity, and the unexpected "
I recommend reading with particular reference to:
- "What is Agile Critical Thinking?"
- "Organizational Realities Work against Critical Thinking"
- "Agile Critical Thinking and Cross-Functional Project Teams"
- "When Critical Thinking Breaks Down"
- Tool: “Clarifying the Question”
- “Thoughtful Candor”
Thanks for sharing Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
1) Critical thinking: "to find an effective path to get from where we are to where we want to be". 2) this is a learned skill acquired through education (training) and/or experience (lessons learned). Comes easier for some than others. 3) You can't successfully deliver a project without figuring out how to get there from where you are now.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Dec 10, 2019 8:58 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Peter
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.
I found your perspective very interesting: "to find an effective path to get from where we are to where we want to be".
I would like to know if, in your opinion:
- What skills are important for critical thinking?
Saving Changes...
Alexandre CostaScrum Master| Integer Consulting - Pictet technologiesLoures, Portugal
I really have problems to identify the number of key competences in Critical Thinking. Critical Thinking is almost as old as humanity, everyone have some level of critical thinking.The persons may not use the best strategy or ask the right questions, but in 21st Century this is worked in school from little children until reach the adult age, and even so, when we think we are in domain of the competences training is needed in most cases because the society evolves and the way of thinking also or the culture if different from our culture.
The key competences (are not core competences of critical thinking) for me to perform effective Critical Thinking is deeply connect to the role performed nevertheless i can point several competences although they may not be necessary in every kind of roles or jobs.
In my point of view we should not confuse competences with steps to perform critical thinking.
As was mentioned before for several members the steps to perform a systematic approach to critical thinking normally are:
1. Identify the problem or question.(being rational, intuitive, analytical )
2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments.( being communicative, open, collaboration and listen is important in this stage )
3. Analyze and evaluate the data.( being rational , analytical, business knowledge )
4. Identify assumptions.( being logical, business aware )
5. Establish significance. ( business and strategic knowledge )
6. Make a decision/reach a solution/solve a problem. ( being creative, communicative, collaborative, social responsible )
7. Present or communicate. ( being communicative , ethical , person awareness )
To me in reality the core competencies of critical thinking are:
Analyze, Infer, Evaluate, Interpret, Generate and Reason. Being good in this competencies is a major contribute to solve the problems but is not enough.
In Fact to do this in a effectively way, we should possess according to the role several other key competences that are not necessarily part of the core of the critical thinking but are needed to achieve success like:
1 - Communication
2 - Collaboration
3 - Creative Thinking
4 - Positive Personal and culture identity
5 - Personal awareness and responsibility
6 - Social responsibility
In the end this is only my modest opinion feel free to disagree , this is a simple subject but that is subject to many interpretations.
Alexandre Costa
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2 replies by Luis Branco and Steve Ratkaj
Dec 09, 2019 8:55 AM
Steve Ratkaj
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Well said. Excellent!
Dec 11, 2019 4:33 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Alexandre
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.
I found your perspective very interesting: "Critical Thinking is almost as old as humanity, everyone have some level of critical thinking.The persons may not use the best strategy or ask the right questions, but in 21st Century this is worked in school from little children until reach the adult age, and even so, when we think we are in domain of the competences training is needed in most cases because the society evolves and the way of thinking also or the culture if different from our culture."
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dec 01, 2019 7:20 AM
Replying to Sreepathi Ramireddygari
...
Interesting question Luis.
I like this definition of "Critical Thinking":
“ an intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information that has been gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication”
It's an essential and important skill for PMs to analyze all available facts objectively, with no judgements or biases (i.e. Open to everything and attached to nothing), and apply the knowledge/skills to solve the problems.
Here are some of the articles I liked on this subject:
I really have problems to identify the number of key competences in Critical Thinking. Critical Thinking is almost as old as humanity, everyone have some level of critical thinking.The persons may not use the best strategy or ask the right questions, but in 21st Century this is worked in school from little children until reach the adult age, and even so, when we think we are in domain of the competences training is needed in most cases because the society evolves and the way of thinking also or the culture if different from our culture.
The key competences (are not core competences of critical thinking) for me to perform effective Critical Thinking is deeply connect to the role performed nevertheless i can point several competences although they may not be necessary in every kind of roles or jobs.
In my point of view we should not confuse competences with steps to perform critical thinking.
As was mentioned before for several members the steps to perform a systematic approach to critical thinking normally are:
1. Identify the problem or question.(being rational, intuitive, analytical )
2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments.( being communicative, open, collaboration and listen is important in this stage )
3. Analyze and evaluate the data.( being rational , analytical, business knowledge )
4. Identify assumptions.( being logical, business aware )
5. Establish significance. ( business and strategic knowledge )
6. Make a decision/reach a solution/solve a problem. ( being creative, communicative, collaborative, social responsible )
7. Present or communicate. ( being communicative , ethical , person awareness )
To me in reality the core competencies of critical thinking are:
Analyze, Infer, Evaluate, Interpret, Generate and Reason. Being good in this competencies is a major contribute to solve the problems but is not enough.
In Fact to do this in a effectively way, we should possess according to the role several other key competences that are not necessarily part of the core of the critical thinking but are needed to achieve success like:
1 - Communication
2 - Collaboration
3 - Creative Thinking
4 - Positive Personal and culture identity
5 - Personal awareness and responsibility
6 - Social responsibility
In the end this is only my modest opinion feel free to disagree , this is a simple subject but that is subject to many interpretations.
