In today’s modern world with changes in globalization, geo-political, global warming, technological impact effecting everyone in our day to day life at a fast pace, leading to huge amount of information overload, what we learn today can become obsolete tomorrow and need to have a lifelong learning mindset. To be successful in such environment, we need good thinking skills that can help us make reliable decisions and acquire new knowledge quickly.
What do we mean by good thinking skills, it means critical thinking and creativity.
Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that enables individuals to evaluate information, analyse arguments, and make informed decisions. In an age of information overload, honing this skill is essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world. In this blog let’s explores the concept of critical thinking, its importance, and practical tips for developing and applying critical thinking skills in everyday life.
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is a disciplined approach of actively and conceptualizing, applying, analysing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
How is Critical Thinking Important and it’s Impact
Problem Solving: It helps in identifying, analysing, and solving complex problems. Any business which is started is said to be start by having an idea, but the key to it is the idea comes when you are try to solve a problem. Hence, building problem solving skill is an important aspect in everyone’s life while working as an entrepreneur, corporate leader, student or in any work of life.
Decision Making: It enables individuals to weigh pros and cons, evaluate alternatives, and make effective rational decisions. It is important for individual to look at all pros and cons and then make informed decision, which helps in reducing the subjectivity.
Analysing Information: Critical thinking helps in assessing the credibility and relevance of information before accepting or rejecting it.
Communication skills: It improves the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and persuasively, which helps putting your point across clearly orally or in writing.
Intellectual Independence: Critical thinking fosters autonomy of thought, enabling individuals to think for themselves rather than accepting what they are told without question.
While we have touched on the importance and impact of Critical Thinking, let’s review some ways for Developing Critical Thinking Skills which will help in building this skills for individuals.
Ask Questions: During formal or informal meetings, challenge assumptions and seek evidence to support claims when you have different perspective.
Be Open-minded: being open-minded helps an individual in accepting different views and reviewing information. To be open -minded need to Listen and understand different perspectives related to all areas and be willing to change your views in light of new information.
Evaluate Sources: With so much information around, it is important to assess the credibility and reliability of sources before accepting information. In today’s time everyone gets information from different sources and accept them based on their values, beliefs and understanding and develop their perspective and discuss the same with others. It is important to validate the information during discussions and assess the credibility before accepting the same.
Practice Scepticism: Approach each information with a healthy dose of scepticism, especially when it seems too good to be true.
Seek Feedback: Encourage feedback from your colleagues on your ideas and arguments to identify weaknesses and work on improving them. Open for feedback is the best gift an individual can give to self as it will help in becoming aware of areas where there are gaps and strengths in self and build on the same.
Develop Analytical Skills: Practice breaking down complex issues into manageable parts to understand them better. Breaking down complex issues help in looking into details and able to identify areas of concerns and analyse better and resolving issues.
Engage in Debate: It is important to develop and push to participate in debates or discussions to sharpen your reasoning and persuasion skills, which also helps in building confidence.
While using the above set of ways to develop critical thinking, we can use 5WH
(who, what, where, when, why and How) concept.
As I conclude, to state again critical thinking is a vital skill that empowers individuals to think independently, make informed decisions, and navigate the complexities of the modern world. By working on developing a habit of questioning, analysing, and evaluating information, one can build the ability to think critically and become a more effective communicator and problem solver.
Visit: https://schoolofbusiness.ncuindia.edu/
Authored By
Vikram Behl
Professor of Practice
School of Business – NCU
May 2024
