How to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking Skills

How to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking SkillsHow to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking SkillsHow to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking SkillsA critical thinker looks at a situation from all angles. If youre looking to develop this key skill, we have some advice. TWEETTony Wagner, education expert and author of The Global Achievement Gap, argues that students need 3 basic skills in order to thrive in a knowledge economy1. The ability to do critical thinking and problem-solving.2. The ability to communicate effectively.3. The ability to collaborate.What is true for students is true for all of us professionals, or students of the world of work These skills are invaluable and fall on the skills list of what employers look for. Id recommend that anyone who cares about knowledge job performance strengthen and continuously exercise all of these skills. I can say theyve served me extraordinarily well so far in my career, from teaching English as a foreign language, to helping organizations grow as a writer and editor for a marketing agency.The supreme importance of critical thinking.Wagner lists critical thinking first for a reason. Its paramount. In the classic cognitive skills of traditional education, its the difference between the bottom of Blooms taxonomy (memorization) and the top (evaluation). Along with the other indispensable skills of a knowledge-based economy, critical thinking is rooted in a rigorous and balanced approach to looking at the world, what many employers look for.Whether in a classroom, laboratory, online program or live workshop (even self-study), the sharper your critical-thinking skills, the easier it will be for you to apply your knowledge to boost your career growth. To borrow from Blooms taxonomy again, those who can use their knowledge to analyze, synthesize and ultimately evaluate, can adapt to any job situation and thrive within it. The particular knowledge itself is less important than the types of thought processes youre exposed to and practic e on a regular basis.Essentially, the critical thinker cultivates a mindset (grounded in awareness) that looks at all the angles of a given situation. How do you see more angles? How do you become more aware? Well, its partly a function of experience, but its also a habit of mind. Having a healthy curiosity and drive to understand the why behind things, not just the how, broadens perception and awareness. Its also a key skill for a resume.How do you improve your critical-thinking skills?To abflug, weve got no shortage of literary sources to turn to in the current exploding market for productivity advice. Some of these bestsellers can help you reevaluate many of your foundational choices, which translates directly to work choices. Being active and deliberate with your life choices requires critical thinking. A good book Im reading right now is Eat Move Sleep by Tom Rath another Im looking forward to reading soon is Charles Duhiggs just-published Smarter Faster Better. If youre only g oing to read one book, Id start with Maria Konnikovas Mastermind, which uses modern neuroscience to explain the ways we can all learn to think like Sherlock Holmes. I have found her take on mental performance to be completely mesmerizing and integral to my productivity in both work and life.What employers look for.At most places where youd want to be working, employers are looking for people to ask the right questions. Indeed, being inquisitive is one of the fundamental principles of company culture where I work. This knack for probing deeper into what motivates an organization is exactly what smart employers seek. In fact, when I was last on the job market, I relied heavily on a book (maybe this one sorry, too long ago) that helps job-seekers formulate the best questions to ask during an interview.I got the job.With no prior experience in the industry. And very little knowledge. Furthermore, I could tell before getting the formal offer that one reason I was on track was the quali ty of the conversation my questions enabled. Apparently I tricked them into thinking I was a legit candidate In all seriousness, by demonstrating a leaders forward-thinking tendency while interviewing for an entry-level position, I showed my commitment and potential. Ultimately, I left a great impression, thanks in large part to my questions.Ask intelligent questions.One of the hallmarks of critical thinking is asking intelligent questions not necessarily knowing the answers, but the best questions to ask. As indicated in the preceding section, the ability to articulateand refinea powerful question is a highly coveted job skill and a key skill for a resume. It indicates you care about outcomes and can take a long-term perspective, which are signs of professional maturity. And it starts from critical thinking.So, ask more questions. Be open-minded. Learn as much as you can. Then debate, explore and play with your new knowledge. Practice thinking critically until it is as natural to you as breathing. This is what employers look for. Before long, you will start to look at the world differently. Even more exciting, your employer and colleagues will start looking at you differently, too.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique today