Post by rreiter on Feb 12, 2016 0:29:06 GMT
I enjoyed this week's readings. One spoke about keys to critical thinking for an individual and the questions that might help one explore each step of critical thinking. The other had to do with critical thinking for managers and fostering and encouraging that same critical thinking among your staff members. One thing that really stood out to me in both of these readings was the idea of perspective. As a critical thinker and as a manager, gaining different perspectives - whether through the ability to think of actions through different lenses or by allowing yourself to be educated by your co-workers - is extremely important to arriving at a well thought-out plan of action. It is something that can also be a tremendous barrier.
As a manager, it can be very tempting to try to come up with ideas and solutions on your own. After all, you are supposed to be a leader, right? And don't leaders have all the answers? Wrong! The failure to gain different perspectives not only could allow to pass over the best solutions, but it also does not cultivate an environment of critical thinkers on your staff, who may just feel that they are there to follow directives. There are times when I find myself in this type of situation. Working in a performance-based contract, I have encountered problems which, at times, have allowed my frustration to give in to a "takeover" attitude. I was unwilling seek out other opinions, perspectives, or talents to help me solve the issue. I realize that this is the opposite of creating that safe environment where other people can feel that their opinons and ideas are important and valued. In my rush to find a solution, I did not give time to thinking.
Another theme of the readings and the video was how the critical thinker dealt with biases. When finding a solution to a challenge, biases can also hinder a manager's decision making, particularly when trying to gain multiple perspectives. I think every manager has fallen into not just with personal biases about certain ideas but also biases about certain people providing their perspectives. Overcoming these biases - in our own thoughts and in seeking out the thoughts of others - is a key to overcoming barriers to critical thinking. It is something that I try to improve on, and I am glad that I had this opportunity to think about my own thinking.
As a manager, it can be very tempting to try to come up with ideas and solutions on your own. After all, you are supposed to be a leader, right? And don't leaders have all the answers? Wrong! The failure to gain different perspectives not only could allow to pass over the best solutions, but it also does not cultivate an environment of critical thinkers on your staff, who may just feel that they are there to follow directives. There are times when I find myself in this type of situation. Working in a performance-based contract, I have encountered problems which, at times, have allowed my frustration to give in to a "takeover" attitude. I was unwilling seek out other opinions, perspectives, or talents to help me solve the issue. I realize that this is the opposite of creating that safe environment where other people can feel that their opinons and ideas are important and valued. In my rush to find a solution, I did not give time to thinking.
Another theme of the readings and the video was how the critical thinker dealt with biases. When finding a solution to a challenge, biases can also hinder a manager's decision making, particularly when trying to gain multiple perspectives. I think every manager has fallen into not just with personal biases about certain ideas but also biases about certain people providing their perspectives. Overcoming these biases - in our own thoughts and in seeking out the thoughts of others - is a key to overcoming barriers to critical thinking. It is something that I try to improve on, and I am glad that I had this opportunity to think about my own thinking.