10 Ways to Improve Your Critical Thinking
Slow Down
You can never engage in critical thinking if you’re in a rush. Wait until moments when you can really invest time into mental processes and make measured decisions.
Don’t Judge
All ideas have merit. Dismissing an outlook narrows your world view.
Play Dumb
To abandon preconceived biases, go into any critical-thinking opportunity by clearing your mind and pretending you know nothing.
Convey Neutrality
Even if you have come to a conclusion on a tech topic, don’t ask leading questions which betray your perspective in discussing it. In the process, you’ll open the door to different views which could challenge—or confirm—yours.
Be Patient
Don’t interrupt anyone in a critical-thinking exchange. Use the power of silence to encourage colleagues to share the entire range of their insights.
Understand the Source of Facts
Don’t just accept statements such as “best practices dictate …” and “the facts are clear ….” Ask and learn where the best practices and facts came from, and if those sources are credible.
Always Ask “Why?” and “How?”
As in “Why have we set these objectives?” and “How do we know this solution is proven?”
Drive to the Root Cause of Mistakes
It’s only when you understand the entire background of an error that you can begin to correct it and incorporate processes so it doesn’t occur again.
Build a Powerful Premise
The stronger your premise—as supported by authoritative, carefully vetted facts, observations, metrics, etc.—the more confident you can be about the conclusion and the resulting outcomes.
Determine the Essence of Goals
When employees say they want to improve an aspect of their performance (like productivity), ask them to define it. This way, the employee will need to fully explore what this improvement really means.
