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Catch These Benefits! 13 Examples of Critical Thinking in the Workplace

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Your team is dealing with a sudden decrease in sales, and you’re not sure why.

When this happens, do you quickly make random changes and hope they work? Or do you pause, bring your team together , and analyze the problem using critical thinking?

In the pages ahead, we’ll share examples of critical thinking in the workplace to show how critical thinking can help you build a successful team and business.

Ready to make critical thinking a part of your office culture?

Let’s dive in!

What Is Critical Thinking? A Quick Definition

Critical thinking is the systematic approach of being a sharp-minded analyst. It involves asking questions, verifying facts, and using your intellect to make decisions and solve problems.

The process of thinking critically is built upon a foundation of six major steps:

• Comprehension
• Application
• Creation/Action

First, you gather “knowledge” by learning about something and understanding it. After that, you put what you’ve learned into action, known as “application.” When you start looking closely at the details, you do the “analysis.”

After analyzing, you put all those details together to create something new, which we call “synthesis.” Finally, you take action based on all your thinking, and that’s the “creation” or “action” step.

Examples of Critical Thinking in the Workplace

Even if the tasks are repetitive, or even if employees are required to follow strict rules, critical thinking is still important. It helps to deal with unexpected challenges and improve processes.

Let’s delve into 13 real examples to see how critical thinking works in practice.

1. Evaluating the pros and cons of each option

Are you unsure which choice is the best? Critical thinking helps you look at the good and bad sides of each option. This ensures that you make decisions based on facts and not just guesses.

Product development : For example, a product development team is deciding whether to launch a new product . They must evaluate the pros and cons of various features, production methods, and marketing strategies to make an informed decision. Obviously, the more complete their evaluation is, the better decisions they can make.

2. Breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts

In the face of complex problems, critical thinkers are able to make the problem easier to solve. How? They create a step-by-step process to address each component separately.

Product deliveries and customer support . Imagine you work in a customer service department, and there has been a sudden increase in customer complaints about delayed deliveries. You need to figure out the root causes and come up with a solution.

So, you break down the problem into pieces – the shipping process, warehouse operations, delivery routes, customer communication, and product availability. This helps you find out the major causes, which are:

• insufficient staff in the packaging department, and
• high volume of orders during specific weeks in a year.

So, when you focus on smaller parts, you can understand and address each aspect better. As a result, you can find practical solutions to the larger issue of delayed deliveries.

3. Finding, evaluating and using information effectively

In today’s world, information is power. Using it wisely can help you and your team succeed. And critical thinkers know where to find the right information and how to check if it’s reliable.

Market research : Let’s say a marketing team is conducting market research to launch a new product. They must find, assess, and use market data to understand customer needs, competitor tactics, and market trends. Only with this information at hand can they create an effective marketing plan.

4. Paying attention to details while also seeing the bigger picture

Are you great at noticing small things? But can you also see how they fit into the larger picture? Critical thinking helps you do both. It’s like zooming in and out with a camera. Why is it essential? It helps you see the full story and avoid tunnel vision.

Strategic planning . For instance, during strategic planning, executives must pay attention to the details of the company’s financial data, market changes, and internal potential. At the same time, they must consider the bigger picture of long-term goals and growth strategies.

5. Making informed decisions by considering all available information

Ever made a choice without thinking it through? Critical thinkers gather all the facts before they decide. It ensures your decisions are smart and well-informed.

Data analysis . For example, data analysts have to examine large datasets to discover trends and patterns. They use critical thinking to understand the significance of these findings, get useful insights, and provide recommendations for improvement.

6. Recognizing biases and assumptions

Too many workplaces suffer from unfair and biased decisions. Make sure yours isn’t on this list. Critical thinkers are self-aware and can spot their own biases. Obviously, this allows them to make more objective decisions.

Conflict resolution . Suppose a manager needs to mediate a conflict between two team members. Critical thinking is essential to understand the underlying causes, evaluate the validity of each person’s opinion, and find a fair solution.

Hiring decisions . Here’s another example. When hiring new employees, HR professionals need to critically assess candidates’ qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. At the same time, they have to “silence” their own assumptions to make unbiased hiring decisions.

7. Optimizing processes for efficiency

Critical thinking examples in the workplace clearly show how teams can improve their processes.

Customer service . Imagine a company that sells gadgets. When customers have problems, the customer service team reads their feedback. For example, if many people struggle to use a gadget, they think about why that’s happening. Maybe the instructions aren’t clear, or the gadget is too tricky to set up.

So, they work together to make things better. They make a new, easier guide and improve the gadget’s instructions. As a result, fewer customers complain, and everyone is happier with the products and service.

8. Analyzing gaps and filling them in

Discovering problems in your company isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, you need to find what’s not working well to help your team do better. That’s where critical thinking comes in.

Training and development . HR professionals, for instance, critically analyze skill gaps within the organization to design training programs. Without deep analysis, they can’t address specific needs and upskill their employees .

9. Contributing effectively to team discussions

In a workplace, everyone needs to join meetings by saying what they think and listening to everyone else. Effective participation, in fact, depends on critical thinking because it’s the best shortcut to reach collective decisions.

Team meetings . In a brainstorming session, you and your colleagues are like puzzle pieces, each with a unique idea. To succeed, you listen to each other’s thoughts, mix and match those ideas, and together, you create the perfect picture – the best plan for your project.

10. Contributing effectively to problem-solving

Effective problem-solving typically involves critical thinking, with team members offering valuable insights and solutions based on their analysis of the situation.

Innovative SaaS product development . Let’s say a cross-functional team faces a challenging innovation problem. So, they use critical thinking to brainstorm creative solutions and evaluate the feasibility of each idea. Afterwards, they select the most promising one for further development.

11. Making accurate forecasts

Understanding critical thinking examples is essential in another aspect, too. In fact, critical thinking allows companies to prepare for what’s coming, reducing unexpected problems.

Financial forecasting . For example, finance professionals critically assess financial data, economic indicators, and market trends to make accurate forecasts. This data helps to make financial decisions, such as budget planning or investment strategies.

12. Assessing potential risks and recommending adjustments

Without effective risk management , you’ll constantly face issues when it’s too late to tackle them. But when your team has smart thinkers who can spot problems and figure out how they might affect you, you’ll have no need to worry.

Compliance review . Compliance officers review company policies and practices to ensure they align with relevant laws and regulations. They want to make sure everything we do follows the law. If they find anything that could get us into trouble, they’ll suggest changes to keep us on the right side of the law.

13. Managing the crisis

Who else wants to minimize damage and protect their business? During a crisis, leaders need to think critically to assess the situation, make rapid decisions, and allocate resources effectively.

Security breach in a big IT company . Suppose you’ve just discovered a major security breach. This is a crisis because sensitive customer data might be at risk, and it could damage your company’s reputation.

To manage this crisis, you need to think critically. First, you must assess the situation. You investigate how the breach happened, what data might be compromised, and how it could affect your customers and your business. Next, you have to make decisions. You might decide to shut down the affected systems to prevent further damage. By taking quick, well-planned actions, you can minimize the damage and protect your business.

Encouraging Critical Thinking in Your Team: A Brief Manager’s Guide

According to Payscale’s survey, 60% of managers believe that critical thinking is the top soft skill that new graduates lack. Why should you care? Well, among these graduates, there’s a good chance that one could eventually become a part of your team down the road.

So, how do you create a workplace where critical thinking is encouraged and cultivated? Let’s find out.

Step 1: Make Your Expectations Clear

First things first, make sure your employees know why critical thinking is important. If they don’t know how critical it is, it’s time to tell them. Explain why it’s essential for their growth and the company’s success.

Step 2: Encourage Curiosity

Do your employees ask questions freely? Encourage them to! A workplace where questions are welcomed is a breeding ground for critical thinking. And remember, don’t shut down questions with a “That’s not important.” Every question counts.

Step 3: Keep Learning Alive

Encourage your team to keep growing. Learning new stuff helps them become better thinkers. So, don’t let them settle for “I already know enough.” Provide your team with inspiring examples of critical thinking in the workplace. Let them get inspired and reach new heights.

Step 4: Challenge, Don’t Spoon-Feed

Rethink your management methods, if you hand your employees everything on a silver platter. Instead, challenge them with tasks that make them think. It might be tough, but don’t worry. A little struggle can be a good thing.

Step 5: Embrace Different Ideas

Do you only like ideas that match your own? Well, that’s a no-no. Encourage different ideas, even if they sound strange. Sometimes, the craziest ideas lead to the best solutions.

Step 6: Learn from Mistakes

Mistakes happen. So, instead of pointing fingers, ask your employees what they learned from the mistake. Don’t let them just say, “It’s not my fault.”

Step 7: Lead the Way

Are you a critical thinker yourself? Show your employees how it’s done. Lead by example. Don’t just say, “Do as I say!”

Wrapping It Up!

As we’ve seen, examples of critical thinking in the workplace are numerous. Critical thinking shows itself in various scenarios, from evaluating pros and cons to breaking down complex problems and recognizing biases.

The good news is that critical thinking isn’t something you’re born with but a skill you can nurture and strengthen. It’s a journey of growth, and managers are key players in this adventure. They can create a space where critical thinking thrives by encouraging continuous learning.

Remember, teams that cultivate critical thinking will be pioneers of adaptation and innovation. They’ll be well-prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s workplace with confidence and competence.

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5 creative and critical thinking examples in workplace  .

In our blog  How To Improve Critical Thinking Skills at Work And Make Better Decisions ,  we highlighted some essential skills and activities that can make you a more valuable employee. We demonstrated how critical thinking is the ability to make informed, logical decisions, overcome bias through self-knowledge and collaboration with others.

In this blog we will list five creative and critical thinking examples in workplace settings. Critical thinking scenarios in the workplace can arise from the mundane, everyday tasks of data analysis to solving critical problems–each requiring logic and critical thinking.

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12 common barriers to critical thinking (and how to overcome them).

• How To Promote Critical Thinking In The Workplace
• What Is The Role Of Communication In Critical Thinking?  

Creative and critical thinking examples in workplace settings

Critical thinking to solve a problem example 1: analyzing data.

In these days of data overload, automation can sift, sort, and report data in a more-or-less manageable form. The ability to analyze, make sense of, and make informed decisions on data is a uniquely human quality.

A core skill of leveraging all that information into sound business decisions is critical thinking. For example, a critical thinker can look at a sales projection report and judge whether the source information was slanted, or skewed because of past seasonal effects on sales.

Critical thinking to solve a problem; Example 2: Promoting a team and collaborative approach to solve a problem

One of the most common creative and critical thinking examples in workplace settings is applying the principle that, contrary to the old saying, too many cooks don’t necessarily “spoil the broth.”

One recipe for successful problem solving in any organization is effective team collaboration. The team must employ a strategy that logically analyzes each team member’s input. Individual members of the team must be prepared (and encouraged) to offer constructive criticism and reasoned input based on the precepts of critical thinking.

Read More: Is Common Sense a Skill in the Workplace? (+How to Cultivate It)

Critical thinking to solve a problem; Example 3: Assessing risks

Logical and critical thinking examples of successfully coping with risks include:

• identifying potential hazards at a construction site and matching those hazards with the health and safety requirements of OSHA
• providing a risk assessment and developing an emergency reaction plan for business continuity
• assessing the potential impacts of new financial privacy and compliance rules with a plan of action that mitigates and effectively responds to risks

Critical thinking to solve a problem; Example 4: Hiring new talent

As discussed in our previous blog, overcoming bias is an important step in critical thinking. When making a new hire, you must read, analyze, and digest multiple job application packages.

Your first step in the process is to remove bias and personal preferences from your applicant selection process. That means disregarding the applicants’ age, gender, place origin or other factors.

Remember that bias is often unconscious. To eliminate bias from your thinking process, know that bias can be insidious. Bias has a tendency to produce irrational judgments in a consistent pattern.

In his article on  Entrepreneur.com , Dr. Travis Bradberry cites cognitive biases and how they influence your judgement. When hiring, be on the lookout for the following biases:

• Confirmation bias , which is a tendency to look for information that supports a pre-existing belief. Say the applicant attended an educational institution that received some bad publicity recently. You believe that the institution is flawed, so the applicant must also be flawed.
• The Halo effect , which happens when someone creates a strong first impression and that impression sticks. Perhaps the applicant attended one of your favorite Ivy League institutions. Dig deeper and see if that good first impression of the applicant is warranted.

So, if you can recognize and understand bias, you can think more objectively, and recruit the best talent for your organization.

Critical thinking to solve a problem; Example 5: Knowing your true value to the organization

Self-reflection  involves an honest analysis of your worth to the organization and how your experience and talents add value and help you find ways to improve your performance.

One suggested practice is to list the ways you are contributing to the goals of your organization. How are your contributions impacting the overall progress of the organization’s mission, and how do they positively (or negatively) affect your potential for growth and assuming increasing responsibilities in your organization?

The foregoing analysis has an added advantage. Reflecting on your thought processes is an important step in critical thinking, which, in turn, helps you become a better critical thinker—with the compounding effect of improving your performance and value to your organization.

Outcomes of applying the above “logic and critical thinking” examples

By applying the foregoing examples of critical thinking in workplace settings you can open new opportunities of improved performance and effectiveness on the job. For example:

Critical thinking opens the door to trying something new.  Group-thinking can stifle positive change. Resistance to change can strangle a good idea at birth when someone says, “We have always had success with the old method.”

A critical thinker, instead of shooting down a new idea, seeks out more information, and asks:

• Why is that a good idea?
• What is the data that shows that the new method could result in a better outcome?
• What, if any, are the metrics that can be applied to measure results?

Critical thinking provides quick and accurate decisions in high-risk situations.  High-risk implies bad consequences, and  critical thinking is a must .

A classic example would be triaging victims during a medical emergency. Medical personnel must apply all their training and best judgement in rapidly and critically analyzing the sequence of emergency patient treatment without bias based on a combination of factors to help them reach those decisions.

Critical thinkers are in control of their emotions.  On the job, you could be faced with ethical and moral challenges. At times, emotions can cloud judgment and put you in a tough spot where you have to choose between what your heart wants and what your brain knows is best.

Say that you are faced with the dilemma of reporting a colleague’s dishonest or illegal behavior on the job. The dilemma is that the colleague is your friend, has a family, and has a substance-use problem. You can remain silent and your colleague will get away with the act, or you can report the infraction.

A critical thinker will think things through. How will the colleague’s actions negatively affect your work unit? Could there be an audit trigger and disruptive investigation where you’ll have to risk lying—and perhaps losing your job? Might this be a serendipitous opportunity to get your colleague to resolve a substance-use problem?

No one ever claimed that critical thinking was easy. But, paraphrasing the words of Teddy Roosevelt, nothing worth doing is easy.

• Critical Thinking vs Problem Solving: What’s the Difference?
• Is Critical Thinking Overrated?  Disadvantages Of Critical Thinking
• 25 In-Demand Jobs That Require Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
• Brainstorming: Techniques Used To Boost Critical Thinking and Creativity
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Jenny Palmer

Founder of Eggcellentwork.com. With over 20 years of experience in HR and various roles in corporate world, Jenny shares tips and advice to help professionals advance in their careers. Her blog is a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their skills, land their dream job, or make a career change.

Further Reading...

Top 12 Soft Skills Consulting Firms Look For  

Brainstorming: Techniques Used To Boost Critical Thinking and Creativity  

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5 Critical Thinking Examples In The Workplace To Become A Better Manager

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• Analysis:  The ability to examine information by breaking it down into parts and understanding the relationships between them, for example, analyzing a complex legal case by breaking it down into relevant legal concepts and examining how they apply to the case’s specific circumstances.
• Evaluation:  The ability to assess the credibility and relevance of information. For example, evaluating the quality of research by examining the methodology, data collection, and conclusions drawn to determine whether the study provides reliable and valid information.
• Inference:  The ability to draw logical conclusions based on evidence. For example, inferring that a person is lying based on inconsistencies in their story and other evidence such as body language .
• Problem-solving:  The ability to identify and solve problems using logical reasoning and, for example, developing a plan to reduce the carbon footprint of a manufacturing process by identifying the most significant sources of carbon emissions and developing strategies to reduce them.
• Decision-making:  The ability to make well-informed and thoughtful decisions. For example, deciding which candidate to hire by evaluating their qualifications, experience, and fit with the company culture. This requires weighing the evidence and making a thoughtful decision based on the available information.
• Creativity:  The ability to generate new and innovative ideas. For example, coming up with a new product idea that meets an unmet need in the market.
• Communication:  The ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. For example, presenting a persuasive argument supporting a particular policy proposal.

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4 examples of critical thinking that show its importance

Posted on May 17, 2019

Critical thinking is the ability to make informed decisions by evaluating several different sources of information objectively. As such, critical thinkers possess many other essential skills, including analysis, creativity, problem-solving and empathy.

Employers have always found critical thinking extremely valuable – after all, no boss wants to constantly handhold their employees because they are unable to make their own judgements about how best to proceed.

However, all too often people talk about critical thinking in theory, while never really explaining what that knowledge looks like in practice. As a result, many have never really understood the importance of thinking critically in business. Which is why we’ve created this list of examples of how critical thinking skills are used in the workplace.

Critical thinking example 1: Problem-solving

Imagine you’re at work. Someone, potentially your manager, presents you with a problem. You immediately go off and start looking for solutions. But do you take a step back first to analyse the situation, gathering and reviewing as much information as possible? Do you ask each of the different people involved what their opinion is, or how the problem affects their and the broader business’ day-to-day? And do you decide to run with the first solution you find, or take the time to come up with a number of different options and test each before making your final judgement?

While a lot of people may think they have problem-solving skills, if you aren’t taking the time to follow the above steps, you’re not really being a critical thinker. As such, you may not find the best solution to your problem.

Employing critical thinking skills when solving a problem is absolutely essential – what you decide could impact hundreds of people and even have an effect on the financial health of the business. If you’re not looking at it from multiple perspectives, you’re never going to be able to understand the full impact of a decision.

Critical thinking example 2: Risk assessment

Economic uncertainty, climate change, political upheaval … risks abound in the modern workforce, and it’s an employee’s critical thinking skills that will enable a business to assess these hazards and act on them.

Risk assessment occurs in a number of different scenarios. For example, a construction company has to identify all potential hazards on a building site to ensure its employees are working as safely as possible. Without this analysis, there could be injuries or even deaths, causing severe distress to the workforce and negatively impacting the company’s reputation (not to mention any of the legal consequences).

In the finance industry, organisations have to assess the potential impacts of new legislation on the way they work, as well as how the new law will affect their clients. This requires critical thinking skills such as analysis, creativity (imagining different scenarios arising from the legislation) and problem-solving (finding a way to work with the new legislation). If the financial institution in this example doesn’t utilise these critical thinking skills, it could end up losing profit or even suffering legal consequences from non-compliance.

Critical thinking example 3: Data analysis

In the digital age critical thinking has become even more, well, critical. While machines have the ability to collate huge amounts of information and reproduce it in a readable format, the ability to analyse and act on this data is still a skill only humans possess.

Take an accountant. Many of their more mundane tasks have passed to technology. Accounting platforms have the ability to produce profit and loss statements, prepare accounts, issue invoices and create balance sheets. But that doesn’t mean accountants are out of a job. Instead, they can now focus their efforts on adding real value to their clients by interpreting the data this technology has collated and using it to give recommendations on how to improve. On a wider scale, they can look at historic financial trends and use this data to forecast potential risks or stumbling blocks moving forward.

The core skill in all of these activities is critical thinking – being able to analyse a large amount of information and draw conclusions in order to make better decisions for the future. Without these critical thinkers, an organisation may easily fall behind its competitors, who are able to respond to risks more easily and provide more value to clients.

Critical thinking example 4: Talent hiring

One of the most important aspects of the critical thinking process is being able to look at a situation objectively. This also happens to be crucial when making a new hire. Not only do you have to analyse a large number of CVs and cover letters in order to select the best candidates from a pool, you also need to be able to do this objectively. This means not giving preferential treatment to someone because of their age, gender, origin or any other factor. Given that bias is often unconscious, if you can demonstrate that you are able to make decisions like this with as little subjectivity as possible, you can show that you possess objectivity – a key critical thinking skill.

Hiring the right talent is essential for a company’s survival. You don’t want to lose out on top candidates because of someone’s unconscious bias, showing just how essential this type of knowledge is in business.

Prove your critical thinking skills with professional practice credentials

As you can see, critical thinking skills are incredibly important to organisations across all industries. In today’s constantly changing world, businesses need people who can adapt and apply their thinking to new situations. No matter where you’re at in your career, you need critical thinking skills to complete your everyday tasks effectively, and when it comes to getting your next promotion, they’re vital.

But the problem with critical thinking skills, just like all soft skills, is that they are hard to prove. While you can show your employer you have a certificate in computer programming, you can’t say the same of critical thinking.

Until now. Enter Deakin’s professional practice credentials. These are university-level micro-credentials that provide an authoritative assessment of your proficiencies in a range of areas. This includes critical thinking, as well as a number of other soft skills, such as communication, innovation, teamwork and self-management.

Find out more about our credentials here or contact a member of the team today to find out how you can prove your critical thinking skills and take your career to the next level.

Critical Thinking in the Workplace

Written by Argumentful

Imagine that you’re in a job interview and the interviewer asks you to describe a time when you had to solve a complex problem at work. How would you respond? Would you be able to articulate the steps you took to arrive at a solution? The ability to think critically and solve problems is a key factor in career success, but it’s not always easy to develop these skills. In this article, we’ll explore some of the ways that critical thinking can benefit your career and provide you with practical strategies for honing your critical thinking abilities in the workplace. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to advance to the next level, this article has something for you.

Recent statistics demonstrate the urgent need for critical thinking skills in the workplace. For example, The Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025 the learning of critical thinking will be one of the main priorities for most countries and industries. In another study , virtually every employer expressed that critical thinking and communication skills are highly essential to extremely crucial for those intending to join their workforce.

These statistics highlight the growing importance of critical thinking skills in the workplace, and the urgent need for employers to invest in training and development to help their employees improve in this area. Without strong critical thinking skills, employees may struggle to make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and adapt to changing circumstances. This can lead to costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and decreased productivity.

In the following sections, we will explore the benefits of critical thinking in the workplace, the challenges associated with developing these skills, and strategies that employers can use to promote critical thinking among their employees.

• What is critical thinking?

• What are the common obstacles to critical thinking in the workplace?

• Developing critical thinking: what are the best strategies for developing critical thinking skills and avoiding common obstacles?

• Critical thinking tips for leaders: how to create a culture of critical thinking in the workplace

• Examples of critical thinking in the workplace

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the process of analysing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned judgments based on objective criteria. It involves questioning assumptions, identifying biases, and considering alternative perspectives in order to arrive at a well-informed conclusion.

In the workplace, critical thinking is essential for making sound decisions, solving complex problems, and adapting to changing circumstances.

Here are a few ways in which critical thinking can help you.

Using critical thinking to analyse data and identify trends to inform strategic decisions

For example, imagine you are the CEO of a retail company and you are presented with data showing that your sales have increased significantly over the past quarter. A critical thinker would ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of what is driving the increase in sales and would not simply accept this information at face value.

They may analyse the data further, looking for patterns or trends in customer behaviour, examining the impact of marketing campaigns or promotions, or evaluating the impact of changes in the competitive landscape. By engaging in this type of critical thinking, they can identify the factors that are contributing to the increase in sales and develop a strategic plan to sustain and further grow the business.

For instance, the critical thinker may discover that a particular product line or marketing campaign was responsible for the sales increase. They can then use this information to invest more resources in those areas and adjust their strategy accordingly. On the other hand, if the critical thinker determines that the sales increase is due to a short-term trend or an outlier, they can avoid making decisions that are not grounded in the data and instead focus on long-term, sustainable growth strategies.

Using critical thinking to evaluate the credibility of sources and evidence to avoid misinformation or bias

In a workplace setting, critical thinking can be particularly important when it comes to evaluating sources and evidence related to business decisions or proposals. For example, imagine you are part of a team considering a new vendor for a critical component of your company’s production process.

A critical thinker would not just accept the information presented by the vendor at face value, but would take the time to evaluate the credibility of the vendor and their evidence. They may look for customer reviews or references to gauge the vendor’s reputation and past performance. They may also examine the vendor’s data and metrics to verify their claims about quality, pricing, or delivery times.

By engaging in this type of critical thinking, the team can ensure that they are making informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information, rather than being swayed by persuasive sales pitches or misleading marketing materials. This can help the company to avoid potential problems, such as missed deadlines, unexpected costs, or quality issues, that may arise if the vendor does not live up to their promises.

For instance, the critical thinker may discover that the vendor has a poor reputation in the industry or that their past customers have reported issues with the quality of their products or services. They can then use this information to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the vendor or to seek out alternative options. On the other hand, if the critical thinker determines that the vendor is reliable and trustworthy, they can feel confident proceeding with the vendor and building a successful partnership.

Using critical thinking to identify potential risks and anticipate challenges in order to mitigate them

In a workplace setting, critical thinking can be crucial in identifying potential risks and anticipating challenges that may arise in various projects or initiatives. For example, imagine you are part of a team tasked with launching a new product line for your company.

A critical thinker would take the time to identify potential risks and challenges that could derail the project. They would not just assume that the launch will be successful. They may examine the competitive landscape, market trends, and consumer behaviour to understand the potential risks and challenges that may arise. They may also assess the potential impact of internal factors such as budget constraints, staffing limitations, and technological hurdles.

By engaging in this type of critical thinking, the team can develop contingency plans and strategies to mitigate potential risks and challenges before they occur. This can help to ensure that the project stays on track, and that the company is able to achieve its goals without significant setbacks.

For instance, the critical thinker may anticipate challenges such as unforeseen costs, supply chain disruptions, or unanticipated changes in consumer demand. They can then work with the team to develop contingency plans, such as building in additional budget reserves or diversifying the supply chain to mitigate these risks. They may also develop alternative marketing strategies to pivot if the initial approach does not resonate with customers.

Ultimately, by identifying potential risks and anticipating challenges through critical thinking, the team can develop effective strategies to mitigate those risks and overcome those challenges, which can lead to a successful project launch and improved business outcomes.

Using critical thinking to generate innovative ideas and solutions to improve processes or products

Critical thinking can be a powerful tool for generating innovative ideas and solutions that can drive organizational success. For example, consider a team tasked with improving the efficiency of a manufacturing process.

A critical thinker would approach this challenge by engaging in rigorous analysis of the existing process, identifying inefficiencies and bottlenecks that may be hindering productivity. They would then draw on their knowledge of relevant research and best practices to generate potential solutions, evaluating each one carefully and considering its potential impact on the organization as a whole.

Through this process of critical thinking, the team may develop innovative solutions such as automating certain steps in the process using robotics, implementing new data analytics tools to identify areas for improvement, or introducing new training programs to upskill workers and improve productivity.

Using critical thinking to collaborate effectively with others by considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Critical thinking can be essential to solving conflicts between team members and collaborating effectively to achieve shared goals. When conflicts arise, critical thinkers will engage in a systematic and analytical approach to understanding the root cause of the conflict, considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives to identify potential solutions.

For example, consider a team that is struggling to agree on a particular approach to a project. A critical thinker on this team would encourage open communication and active listening among team members, working to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that all perspectives are considered.

Through this process, the team may identify underlying differences in values, priorities, or working styles that are contributing to the conflict. The critical thinker may then draw on their knowledge of conflict resolution techniques, such as mediation or negotiation, to help the team reach a resolution that is acceptable to all parties.

By engaging in this type of critical thinking, the team can turn conflict into an opportunity for growth and learning, fostering a more collaborative and inclusive workplace culture. Critical thinkers recognize that diversity of thought and perspective is a strength, and actively seek out opportunities to leverage this diversity to achieve better outcomes.

Moreover, by prioritizing collaboration and valuing diverse perspectives, critical thinkers can build trust and respect among team members, strengthening the team’s ability to work together effectively in the future. This approach can also help to create a more positive and inclusive workplace culture, enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction.

For organizations, promoting a culture of critical thinking can lead to numerous benefits. For example, it can:

• Improve decision-making and problem-solving at all levels
• Foster innovation and creativity by encouraging employees to think outside the box
• Increase agility and adaptability in response to changing market conditions or industry trends
• Enhance organizational learning by encouraging reflection and continuous improvement
• Build trust and credibility with stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based decision-making

Critical thinking is a valuable skill for individuals and organizations alike. By promoting a culture of critical thinking in the workplace, organizations can improve their ability to adapt, innovate, and succeed in today’s complex and rapidly changing business environment.

What are the common obstacles to critical thinking in the workplace?

Despite the importance of critical thinking in the workplace, there are several common obstacles that can impede the development and application of these skills. These obstacles include biases, assumptions, mental models, groupthink, and other social dynamics that can affect critical thinking in teams and organizations.

Biases and assumptions as obstacles to critical thinking

One common obstacle to critical thinking is the presence of biases and assumptions. These can be unconscious or conscious and can limit an individual’s ability to consider alternative perspectives or evaluate evidence objectively. For example, confirmation bias occurs when individuals seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs while ignoring evidence that contradicts them. Another example is the halo effect, which occurs when individuals overestimate the positive qualities of someone they like or admire and underestimate their flaws or weaknesses.

Mental models as obstacles to critical thinking

Mental models are another obstacle to critical thinking. Mental models are the frameworks that individuals use to interpret and make sense of the world around them. While mental models can be useful, they can also be limiting if they prevent individuals from considering alternative perspectives or solutions. For example, a mental model that assumes that a particular solution is always the best one can prevent individuals from exploring other, potentially better solutions.

Groupthink as obstacle to critical thinking

Groupthink is a phenomenon that can occur when individuals in a group prioritize conformity and consensus over critical thinking and evaluation of evidence. In groupthink, individuals may suppress their doubts or criticisms in order to maintain harmony or avoid conflict within the group. This can lead to flawed decision-making and missed opportunities.

Other social dynamics can also affect critical thinking in teams and organizations. For example, power dynamics can influence the extent to which individuals feel comfortable challenging the opinions of those in positions of authority. In addition, organizational culture and norms can shape the extent to which critical thinking is valued and encouraged within the workplace.

Developing critical thinking: what are the best strategies for developing critical thinking skills and avoiding common obstacles?

Developing critical thinking skills is a continuous process that requires intentional effort and practice. The following practical tips can help individuals improve their critical thinking skills:

• Critical thinking requires evidence-based reasoning, which involves considering data and evidence when making decisions. You can practice this by looking for reliable sources of information and considering the evidence when making decisions.
• Be aware of your own biases and how they can influence your thinking.
• Try to challenge your assumptions and seek out alternative perspectives.
• Consider other viewpoints and evidence that might contradict your own.
• Surround yourself with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This can help you see issues from multiple angles and avoid groupthink.
• Don’t rush to conclusions or decisions.
• Take time to analyse the situation, gather information, and consider multiple perspectives.
• Consider the potential consequences of your decisions and actions.
• Don’t rely on a single source of information.
• Consider multiple sources, including those that may challenge your assumptions.
• Ask probing questions to better understand a situation. This can help you identify assumptions and uncover potential biases.
• Use data to support your analysis and decision-making. This can help you avoid confirmation bias and make more objective decisions.
• Be open to new ideas and be willing to change your opinion based on new information. This can help you avoid being overly attached to your own opinions and biases.

Critical thinking tips for leaders: how to create a culture of critical thinking in the workplace

Developing a culture of critical thinking in the workplace involves encouraging employees to question assumptions, seek out different perspectives, and use evidence-based reasoning when making decisions. The following are some strategies for creating a culture of critical thinking in the workplace:

• Leaders should foster a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. This can be achieved by creating safe spaces for open dialogue, actively soliciting feedback, and being receptive to new perspectives.
• Managers and leaders should encourage collaboration among employees, particularly those with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Collaboration fosters a more holistic approach to problem-solving, drawing on the collective wisdom of the team to arrive at innovative solutions.
• Critical thinking is a skill that can be learned and honed. Ledership can provide training and development opportunities to help employees improve their critical thinking abilities. This can include workshops, seminars, and mentoring programs.
• Managers and leaders should recognize and reward employees who demonstrate strong critical thinking skills. This can be achieved through performance reviews, bonuses, promotions, and public recognition.
• As manager, you should model critical thinking behaviour yourself, setting an example for your employees to follow. This can include asking probing questions, considering multiple perspectives, and demonstrating a willingness to change course when new information arises.
• Finally, as a leader you should embrace failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. When employees feel free to take risks and experiment, they are more likely to engage in critical thinking and generate innovative solutions.

Examples of critical thinking in the workplace

Here are some real-world examples of how critical thinking can lead to successful outcomes:

Troubleshooting technical problems : In a technology company, employees may be responsible for troubleshooting technical problems in software, hardware, or networking systems. Critical thinking is essential to diagnose the problem, identify potential solutions, and select the best course of action.

Identifying opportunities for process improvement : A company may need to continuously improve its internal processes to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Critical thinking should be used to identify areas for improvement, develop new processes, and measure the effectiveness of the changes.

Anticipating future technology trends : Technology is constantly evolving, and businesses needs to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive. Critical thinking is paramount to anticipating future trends, assessing their potential impact on the company’s business model, and developing a strategy to leverage them.

Managing project risks : Projects can be complex and have many interdependencies, making them prone to risks and uncertainties. You can use critical thinking to identify potential project risks, develop contingency plans, and manage the risks effectively to ensure project success.

Analysing data to inform business decisions : Employees may need to analyse large amounts of data to make informed decisions about product development, marketing strategies, and customer engagement. Critical thinking is essential to sift through the data, identify trends, and draw meaningful insights.

Evaluating the credibility of online sources : Employees may need to conduct research online to inform their work. Critical thinking is the best tool to evaluate the credibility of online sources, such as news articles, blogs, and social media posts, to avoid misinformation or bias.

Critical thinking is an essential skill for success in the workplace. Individuals who can think critically are better equipped to analyse complex problems, make informed decisions, and solve challenging issues. By practicing reflection, questioning assumptions, seeking out different perspectives, using evidence-based reasoning, and practicing open-mindedness, individuals can develop their own critical thinking skills.

Creating a culture of critical thinking in the workplace can also lead to better decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation. By encouraging collaboration, providing training, creating a safe environment, and rewarding critical thinking, organizations can create a culture that supports employees in developing the skills they need to succeed.

Overall, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to prioritize the development of critical thinking skills. As you continue in your own career, we encourage you to develop your own critical thinking skills and advocate for a culture of critical thinking in your organization. By doing so, you can help yourself and your colleagues succeed in achieving your goals and making a positive impact in your workplace.

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25 Critical Thinking Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and make reasoned decisions. It involves suspended judgment, open-mindedness, and clarity of thought.

It involves considering different viewpoints and weighing evidence carefully. It is essential for solving complex problems and making good decisions.

People who think critically are able to see the world in a more nuanced way and understand the interconnectedness of things. They are also better able to adapt to change and handle uncertainty.

In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to think critically is more important than ever and necessary for students and employees alike.

Critical Thinking Examples

1. identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Critical thinkers don’t just take things at face value. They stand back and contemplate the potential strengths and weaknesses of something and then make a decision after contemplation.

This helps you to avoid excessive bias and identify possible problems ahead of time.

For example, a boxer about to get in the ring will likely need to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent. He might learn that his opponent’s left hook is very strong, but his opponent also gets tired after the third round. With this knowledge, he can go into the bout with strong defenses in the first three rounds before going on the offense.

Here, the boxer’s critical thinking skills will help him win his match.

2. Creating a Hypothesis based on Limited Data

When scientists set out to test a new theory, they first need to develop a hypothesis. This is an educated guess about how things work, based on what is already known.

Once a hypothesis has been developed, experiments can be designed to test it.

However, sometimes scientists may find themselves working with limited data. In such cases, they may need to make some assumptions in order to form a hypothesis.

For example, if they are studying a phenomenon that occurs infrequently, they may need to extrapolate from the data they do have in order to form a hypothesis.

Here, the scientist is engaged in critical thinking: they use the limited data to come up with a tentative judgment.

3. Moderating a Debate

A debate moderator needs to have strong critical thinking skills. They need to use objective evaluations, analysis, and critique to keep the discussion on track and ensure that all sides are heard fairly.

This means being able to identify when a point has been made sufficiently, or when someone is beginning to veer off topic and being able to direct the conversation accordingly.

Similarly, they need to be able to assess each argument objectively and consider its merits, rather than getting caught up in the emotion of the debate. If someone is using an unfair point or one that is not factual, the moderator needs to be switched on and identify this.

By remaining calm and impartial, the moderator can help to ensure that a debate is productive and respectful.

4. Judging and Adjudicating

A judge or adjudicator needs to weigh the evidence and make a determination based on the facts.

This requires the adjudicator to be able to try to see both sides of an argument. They need the ability to see past personal biases and to critically evaluate the credibility of all sides.

In addition, judges and adjudicators must be able to think quickly and make sound decisions in the face of complex issues.

For example, if you were to be adjudicating the above debate, you need to hear both sides of the argument and then decide who won. It’s your job to evaluate, see strengths and weaknesses in arguments, and come to a conclusion.

5. Grading an Essay

Teachers need critical thinking skills when grading essays so that they can effectively assess the quality of the writing. By critically analyzing the essay, teachers can identify any errors or weaknesses in the argument.

Furthermore, they can also determine whether the essay meets the required standards for the assignment. Even a very well-written essay may deserve a lower grade if the essay doesn’t directly answer the essay question.

A teacher needs to be able to read an essay and understand not only what the student is trying to say, but also how well they are making their argument. Are they using evidence effectively? Are they drawing valid conclusions? A teacher needs to be able to evaluate an essay holistically in order to give a fair grade.

In order to properly evaluate an essay, teachers need to be able to think critically about the writing. Only then can they provide an accurate assessment of the work.

6. Active Reading

Active reading is a skill that requires the reader to be engaged with the text in order to fully understand it. This means not only being able to read the words on the page, but also being able to interpret the meaning behind them.

In order to do this, active readers need to have good critical thinking skills.

They need to be able to ask questions about the text and look for evidence to support their answers. Additionally, active readers need to be able to make connections between the text and their own experiences.

Active reading leads to better comprehension and retention of information.

7. Deciding Whether or Not to Believe Something

When trying to determine whether or not to believe something, you’re engaging in critical thinking.

For example, you might need to consider the source of the information. If the information comes from a reliable source, such as a reputable news organization or a trusted friend, then it is more likely to be accurate.

However, if the source is less reliable, such as an anonymous website or a person with a known bias, then the information should be viewed with more skepticism.

In addition, it is important to consider the evidence that is being presented. If the evidence is well-supported and logically presented, then it is more likely to be true. However, if the evidence is weak or relies on fallacious reasoning, then the claim is less likely to be true.

8. Determining the Best Solution to a Situation

Determining the best solution to a problem generally requires you to critique the different options. There are often many different factors to consider, and it can be difficult to know where to start.

However, there are some general guidelines that can help to make the process a little easier.

For example, if you have a few possible solutions to the problem, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each one. Consider both the short-term and long-term effects of each option before making a decision.

Furthermore, it is important to be aware of your own biases. Be sure to consider all of the options objectively, without letting your personal preferences get in the way.

9. Giving Formative Feedback

Formative feedback is feedback that you give to someone part-way through a learning experience. To do this, you need to think critically.

For example, one thing you need to do is see where the student’s strengths and weaknesses like. Perhaps the student is doing extremely well at a task, so your feedback might be that they should try to extend themselves by adding more complexity to the task.

Or, perhaps the student is struggling, so you suggest to them that they approach the learning experience from a different angle.

10. Giving Summative Feedback

Summative feedback occurs at the end of a learning scenario. For example, the written feedback at the end of an essay or on a report card is summative.

When providing summative feedback, it is important to take a step back and consider the situation from multiple perspectives. What are areas for improvement and where exactly might the student have missed some key points? How could the student have done better?

Asking yourself these questions is all part of the process of giving feedback, and they can all be considered examples of critical thinking. You’re literally critiquing the student’s work and identifying opportunities for improvement.

11. Evaluating Evidence

When evaluating evidence, critical thinkers take a step back and look at the bigger picture. They consider all of the available information and weigh it up. They look at logical flaws, the reliability of the evidence, and its validity.

This process allows them to arrive at a conclusion that is based on sound reasoning, rather than emotion or personal bias.

For example, when a social scientist looks at the evidence from his study, he needs to evaluate whether the data was corrupted and ensure the methodology was sound in order to determine if the evidence is valuable or not.

12. Media Literacy

Media literacy seems to be in short supply these days. Too many people take information off the internet or television and just assume it is true.

A person with media literacy, however, will not just trust what they see and read. Instead, they look at the data and weigh up the evidence. They will see if there was a sound study to back up claims. They will see if there is bias in the media source and whether it’s just following an ideological line.

Furthermore, they will make sure they seek out trustworthy media sources. These are not just media sources you like or that confirm your own point of view. They need to be sources that do their own research, find solid data, and don’t pursue one blind agenda.

13. Asking your Own Questions

Asking your own questions is an important part of critical thinking. When you ask questions, you are forcing yourself to think more deeply about the information you are considering.

Asking questions also allows you to gather more information from others who may have different perspectives.

This helps you to better understand the issue and to come up with your own conclusions.

So, often at schools, we give students a list of questions to ask about something in order to dig deeper into it. For example, in a book review lesson, the teacher might give a list of questions to ask about the book’s characters and plot.

14. Conducting Rigorous Research

Research is a process of inquiry that encompasses the gathering of data, interpretation of findings, and communication of results. The researcher needs to engage in critical thinking throughout the process, but most importantly, when designing their methodology.

Research can be done through a variety of methods, such as experiments, surveys, interviews, and observations. Each method has strengths and weaknesses.

Once the data has been collected, it must be analyzed and interpreted. This is often done through statistical methods or qualitative analysis.

Research is an essential tool for discovering new knowledge and for solving problems, but researchers need to think critically about how valid and reliable their data truly is.

15. Examining your own Beliefs and Prejudices

It’s important to examine your own beliefs and prejudices in order to ensure that they are fair and accurate. People who don’t examine their own beliefs have not truly critically examined their lives.

One way to do this is to take the time to consider why you believe what you do. What experiences have you had that have led you to this belief? Are there other ways to interpret these experiences? It’s also important to be aware of the potential for confirmation bias , which is when we seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs, while ignoring information that contradicts them.

This can lead us to hold onto inaccurate or unfair beliefs even when presented with evidence to the contrary.

To avoid this, it’s important to seek out diverse perspectives, and to be open-minded when considering new information. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your beliefs are fair and accurate.

16. Looking at a Situation from Multiple Perspectives

One of the most important critical thinking skills that you can learn in life is how to look at a situation from multiple perspectives.

Being able to see things from different angles can help you to understand complex issues, spot potential problems, and find creative solutions. It can also help you to build better relationships, as you will be able to see where others are coming from and find common ground.

There are a few simple techniques that you can use to develop this skill.

First, try to imagine how someone else would feel in the same situation.

Second, put yourself in their shoes and try to see things from their point of view.

Finally, ask yourself what other factors may be influencing their perspective. By taking the time to view things from multiple angles, you will be better prepared to deal with whatever life throws your way.

17. Considering Implications before Taking Action

When faced with a difficult decision, it is important to consider the implications of each possible action before settling on a course of action.

This is because the consequences of our actions can be far-reaching and often unforeseen.

For example, a seemingly small decision like whether to attend a party or not might have much larger implications. If we decide to go to the party, we might miss an important deadline at work.

However, if we stay home, we might miss out on an opportunity to meet new people and make valuable connections.

In either case, our choice can have a significant impact on our lives.

Fortunately, critical thinking can help people to make well-informed decisions that could have a positive impact on their lives.

For example, you might have to weight up the pros and cons of attending the party and identify potential downsides, like whether you might be in a car with an impaired driver, and whether the party is really worth losing your job.

Having weighed up the potential outcomes, you can make a more rational and informed decision.

18. Reflective Practice

Reflecting on your actions is an important part of critical thinking. When you take the time to reflect, you are able to step back and examine your choices and their consequences more objectively.

This allows you to learn from your mistakes and make better decisions in the future.

In order to reflect effectively, it is important to be honest with yourself and open to learning new things. You must also be willing to question your own beliefs and assumptions. By taking these steps, you can develop the critical thinking skills that are essential for making sound decisions next time.

This will also, fortunately, help you to constantly improve upon yourself.

19. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving requires the ability to think critically in order to accurately assess a situation and determine the best course of action.

This means being able to identify the root cause of a problem , as well as any potential obstacles that may stand in the way of a solution. It also involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable pieces in order to more easily find a workable solution.

In addition, critical thinking skills also require the ability to think creatively in order to come up with original solutions to these problems.

Go Deeper: Problem-Solving Examples

20. Brainstorming New Solutions

When brainstorming new solutions , critical thinking skills are essential in order to generate fresh ideas and identify potential issues.

For example, the ability to identify the problems with the last solution you tried is important in order to come up with better solutions this time. Similarly, analytical thinking is necessary in order to evaluate the feasibility of each idea. Furthermore, it is also necessary to consider different perspectives and adapt to changing circumstances.

By utilizing all of these critical thinking skills, it will be possible to develop innovative solutions that are both practical and effective.

21. Reserving Judgment

A key part of critical thinking is reserving judgment. This means that we should not rush to conclusions, but instead take the time to consider all the evidence before making up our minds.

By reserving judgment, we can avoid making premature decisions that we might later regret. We can also avoid falling victim to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to only pay attention to information that supports our existing beliefs.

Instead, by keeping an open mind and considering all the evidence, we can make better decisions and reach more accurate conclusions.

22. Identifying Deceit

Critical thinking is an important skill to have in any situation, but it is especially important when trying to identify deceit.

There are a few key things to look for when using critical thinking to identify deceit.

First, pay attention to the person’s body language. Second, listen closely to what the person is saying and look for any inconsistencies. Finally, try to get a sense of the person’s motive – why would they want to deceive you?

Each of these questions helps you to not just take things at their face value. Instead, you’re critiquing the situation and coming to a conclusion using all of your intellect and senses, rather than just believing what you’re told.

23. Being Open-Minded to New Evidence that Contradicts your Beliefs

People with critical thinking skills are more open-minded because they are willing to consider different points of view and evidence.

They also realize that their own beliefs may be wrong and are willing to change their minds if new information is presented.

Similarly, people who are not critical thinkers tend to be close-minded because they fail to critique themselves and challenge their own mindset. This can lead to conflicts, as closed-minded people are not willing to budge on their beliefs even when presented with contradictory evidence.

Critical thinkers, on the other hand, are able to have more productive conversations as they are willing to listen to others and consider different viewpoints. Ultimately, being open-minded and willing to change one’s mind is a sign of intelligence and maturity.

24. Accounting for Bias

We all have biases, based on our individual experiences, perspectives, and beliefs. These can lead us to see the world in a certain way and to interpret information in a way that supports our existing views.

However, if we want to truly understand an issue, it is important to try to put aside our personal biases and look at the evidence objectively.

This is where critical thinking skills come in.

By using critical thinking, we can examine the evidence dispassionately and assess different arguments without letting our own prejudices get in the way. Start by looking at weaknesses and logical flaws in your own thinking.

Play the devil’s advocate.

In this way, you can start to get a more accurate picture of an issue and make more informed decisions.

25. Basing your Beliefs on Logic and Reasoning

In order to lead a successful and fulfilling life, it is important to base your beliefs on logic and reasoning.

This does not mean that you should never believe in something without evidence, but it does mean that you should be thoughtful and intentional about the things that you choose to believe.

One way to ensure that your beliefs are based on logic and reasoning is to seek out reliable sources of information. Another method is to use thought games to follow all your thoughts to their logical conclusions.

By basing your beliefs on logic and reasoning, you will be more likely to make sound decisions, and less likely to be swayed by emotions or misinformation.

Critical thinking is an important skill for anyone who wants to be successful in the modern world. It allows us to evaluate information and make reasoned decisions, rather than simply accepting things at face value. 

Thus, employers often want to employ people with strong critical thinking skills. These employees will be able to solve problems by themselves and identify ways to improve the workplace. They will be able to push back against bad decisions and use their own minds to make good decisions.

Furthermore, critical thinking skills are important for students. This is because they need to be able to evaluate information and think through problems with a critical mindset in order to learn and improve.

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15 Examples of Critical Thinking

D eveloping your critical thinking skills can help you in both your personal and professional life. In your personal life, it can help you become more informed and make better choices about your finances, and relationships. Critical thinking can make you solve problems and communicate more effectively with others at work.  

You are called upon to make daily decisions as a manager, leader, employee, or team member. Some of these are small and inconsequential, while others can mean the difference between success and failure. That is why learning how to think critically at work is essential.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking objectively examines assertions and evidence to determine if they are logically valid and reflect reality. It involves suspending judgment in favor of reasoned inquiry, considering all possibilities, and resisting appeals to authority, emotion, or personal bias .

In other words, it is a way of thinking that does not take anything at face value and instead looks at all the evidence before concluding.

Why critical thinking is important?

Critical thinking is essential because it allows us to question information and arrive at reasoned conclusions. Every day we are bombarded with information from everywhere, much of which is biased, inaccurate, or outright false.

That is why it is more important than ever to think critically about the information we are presented with daily.

With critical thinking skills, you can sift through the noise and get to the heart of what is happening. In other words, critical thinking allows us to think for ourselves.

Here are 15 examples of critical thinking in the workplace:

1. Being Skeptical

Good examples of critical thinking skills include not accepting information at face value, looking at evidence objectively, and checking sources for reliability.

One of the key aspects of critical thinking is skepticism — it allows us to question information and distinguish between fact and fiction or the insistence on evidence.

Too often, we accept things at face value without verifying the facts. Skepticism helps us be more skeptical of what is true or exaggerated by critically checking to determine whether what others want us to believe is accurate, reliable, and credible.

Skepticism does not mean cynicism; instead, it is a healthy dose of doubt applied to people’s claims or statements.

When evaluating claims, ask yourself: Who is making this claim? What is their motive for doing so? Does this person have anything to gain from me believing this? Is there any disconfirming evidence?

A healthy skepticism will help guard against bias and emotional reactions and ensure you base your decisions on solid evidence.

2. Analyzing information gathered from multiple sources 

Let us say you are a manager tasked with determining whether to lay off a certain number of employees to stay afloat.

You have gathered information from various sources, including employee performance reviews, financial reports, and industry trends. But before making your final decision, you want to think critically.

First, you need to ask yourself some questions. What is the real problem here that we want to solve? Layoffs or staying afloat? Is there any other way to solve this problem? And are layoffs the only solution?

Once you have answered these questions, you can start analyzing the data. Do the numbers support the decision to lay people off? Are there other factors at play that we need to consider?

You will need to critically look at many things, including revenue, profit margins, and expenses, and then weigh all of this information against each other to make an informed decision.

Read also: 15 Examples of Taking Ownership

3. Challenging your assumptions

One of the vital aspects of critical thinking is willing to challenge assumptions – we all make them almost daily, both at work and in our personal lives.

And while some assumptions are harmless, others can have a significant impact on the decisions we make.

When you are engaged in critical thinking, it is vital to identify your assumptions and question why you are making them.

Once you have identified your assumptions, ask yourself if they are true or if there might be another explanation for what you are observing.

4. Reflecting on your performance

Examples of critical thinking skills include reflecting on your performance and looking for ways to improve in the future. When you are critiquing your work, be specific. What were your goals? How well did you achieve them? What challenges or obstacles did you face — and how did you overcome them?

Looking at things this way can help you develop an action plan to implement. Maybe some techniques worked particularly well for you — consider maintaining them in your strategy.

Or perhaps there are some things you could do better — make a note of those and vow to work on them.

Either way, taking the time to assess your performance critically can make things improve in future situations.

5. Willingness to change your mind after careful consideration

Another example of critical thinking is the willingness to change your mind after forming an initial opinion – based on new information you learn or changes in your beliefs or convictions. 

One of the hallmarks of a critical thinker is being flexible , and willing to change your mind when warranted.

So if you find new information or viewpoints that challenge your existing beliefs, consider them before making a judgment.

Ask yourself whether the new information is credible and supported by evidence. And if there is still doubt, at least you can say that you considered them carefully and thoughtfully — that is valuable.

When we think critically, it allows us to avoid getting stuck in our ways and being blinded by our own biases. Opinions are not static things — they can and should change as we learn more about the world around us.

The only way to grow and learn is by being open to new information, even if it means admitting that we were wrong.

6. Asking probing questions to get to the heart of an issue

You must ask probing questions to get to the heart of an issue or problem. This means asking questions that go beyond the surface and get to the root of the matter.

It would help if you knew what you wanted to learn from it. So, when asking probing questions related to project risks, you want to focus on understanding the potential consequences of any identified risks and assessing how likely each risk will occur.

For example, if you are concerned that the company may need more resources to complete the project. In that case, a probing question will be, What contingencies have been put in place in case of unexpected delays or additional needs?

On the other hand, if you are worried that changes in the market environment may make the project unsuccessful, you can ask, “What analyses have been done to understand how this project will fare in a changing market?

When you are specific about the risk in question, you help the other person focus on answering your question and give you a better understanding of how they are thinking about risk management for this particular project.

That can help you understand how well-prepared the team is for any possible problems that may arise.

7. Listening actively and considering others’ points of view

Trying to listen while someone is talking to you is a vital part of critical thinking. You can consider it without agreeing with someone’s point of view. You can even disagree with the person but still consider their opinions.

The key is to be respectful and understand that not everyone has the same perspective as you. Listen openly and without judgment, and try to see things from the other person’s perspective.

Too often, we are so busy formulating our response that we need to hear what the other person is saying.

Active listening involves consciously focusing on the other person and not letting our minds wander. Once you understand their reasoning, you can formulate a response or counter-argument. But always do so respectfully, and be willing to listen to what they say.

Also read: 13 Examples of Self-Management

8. Remaining open-minded 

It is not easy, but possible to keep an open mind. And it is essential because remaining open-minded allows us to see all sides of an issue and make better decisions based on all the information available.

One way to remain open-minded is to be aware of our cognitive biases and how they can distort our thinking.

For example, the sunk cost fallacy makes us continue investing in something (time and money) because we have already invested so much in it, even if it is no longer rational or prudent to do so.

Confirmation bias causes us to seek information that supports our pre-determined opinions while ignoring or discounting information that challenges them.

9. Looking at problems from different angles

Most people are linear thinkers, meaning they think in a straight line or one step after another. This type of thinking can be helpful when trying to solve simple problems, but it often fails when faced with more complex challenges.

Many issues in the workplace are too complex to be solved using this method because they usually do not have a single solution — you have to consider multiple potential solutions and then choose the most effective one.

Non-linear thinking allows us to explore different possibilities and develop creative solutions that may not have been possible using a more rigid linear way of thinking.

In other words, non-linear thinking is a critical way of analyzing issues and breaking out of the “box” mentality that often limits our thinking and prevents us from considering all possible solutions.

10 Focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term gains

Too many people focus on short-term goals that do not matter, or they give in to convenience instead of striving for something more.

They tend to live in the moment and take actions that offer short-term satisfaction without thinking about the future implications of their choices.

This can lead to negative consequences such as making poor decisions with harmful long-term effects or becoming bogged down in practices that do not move them closer to their goals.

Changing your mindset to focus on long-term goals can be difficult, but it is possible. One way to shift your focus to long-term goals is to think critically about why you want what you want.

When you think deeply about why you want something, you may find that your original reasons need to be stronger than you thought.

So, once you have a clear idea of what is important to you, it will be easier to set realistic goals and stay on track with them over the long term.

11. Considering the implications of a decision on all stakeholders

You should always consider the implications of a decision on all stakeholders involved, not just those who will directly benefit.

For example, suppose you make a decision that will increase profits for your company but will also result in the layoffs of a significant number of employees. In that case, you need to make a wise decision.

Similarly, if you make a wise decision that will benefit your company in the short term but damage it in the long term, you need to make a wise decision.

Every decision you make should be weighed against the potential consequences for all stakeholders involved — not just those who will immediately benefit or be harmed.

By thinking critically about decisions in this way, you can make wiser choices that benefit everyone involved.

12. Recognising that your past experiences can and will cloud your thinking

Preconceived knowledge is a powerful tool for thinking. However, it can also lead you astray if you are not careful.

In particular, the assumption that because something has always been a certain way, it will always be that way can lead you to cloud your thinking and overlook potential changes or new information.

Remember that just because something has always been a certain way does not mean it will always be that way. For example, suppose you need to be more careful.

In that case, you might assume that your company’s competitive edge will always be there and that you do not need to keep innovating or developing new products.

Or you might think your customers will always want what you are selling and will never switch to a competitor. These are just a few examples.

The truth is that things change constantly, and it is essential to keep an open mind to adapt to those changes.

Read more: 16 Examples of Taking Responsibility at Work

13. Refraining from judging something until you have all of the information

We all know someone who is always quick to judge others — always has something negative to say about every situation or person they meet.

The problem with this way of thinking is that we often do not have all the information before making a judgment. If you judge a person based on their appearance, you might not know they are kind-hearted and caring.

It is usually a good idea to judge only once we have all the information. This is because it is possible that we could be wrong if we do not have all of the facts.

And even if we are right, it is not very helpful to be critical and judgmental towards others. So, always try to withhold judgment until you have all the information.

14. Always ask yourself why you think what you think

We all have biases, but it is essential to be aware of them so that we can question our thinking and make sure that our views are based on logic and evidence.

For example, let us say that you think your boss is a jerk. Is there a logical reason you feel like this, or are you biased? Maybe your boss always gives you challenging assignments and never praises your work.

I n this case, it would be reasonable to say that your boss is a jerk. However, it is probably not a logical conclusion if you think like this because you do not like how he talks to you.

Be aware of your biases so that you can question your thoughts and assumptions before jumping to conclusions. Self-questioning is a crucial component of critical thinking, and it is something that we should all practice regularly.

15. Practicing Reflective Thinking

Finally, critical thinkers know the importance of taking time for reflection. Reflective thinking is taking time periodically throughout the day (or week) to pause and reflect on your thoughts and actions. This allows you to step back and see the bigger picture more clearly.

It also allows you to evaluate your assumptions and identify any emotions or biases that might cloud your judgment. Practicing reflective thinking regularly can help improve your ability to think critically at work and in your personal life.

Conclusion:

Critical thinking is an essential skill that allows us to examine our assumptions and beliefs objectively and rationally. It helps us become aware of our own biases and preconceptions.

And it will enable us to find the best possible solution to a problem by considering all the evidence and possibilities.

By practicing objectivity and honing our active listening and reading comprehension skills, we can all become better critical thinkers—and make better decisions.

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Thought-Provoking Examples of Critical Thinking In The Workplace

• Self-improvement

These days, I’m practically obsessed with the topic of critical thinking . This drive led me to the vast shores of critical thinking in the workplace. We’ll go through why this skill is essential for your advancement in your career (and work life in general) and also explore some examples. Let’s begin…

If browsing through job applications or LinkedIn makes you feel uneasy these days, I don’t blame you. Not only do employees demand that junior staff members should be versed as senior ones, but seemingly people all around you are getting promoted all the time.

When I accidentally open the popular professional network full of “self-help-like “prose” littered with clichés and vague blanketed statements” – also called broetry . (Yes, I’m talking about LinkedIn). Certificates of accomplishments are being shared more than the all-time favorite cat memes. It’s crazy.

And while it’s surely great that people are investing in themselves and learning new skills. I think that the skill of thinking, good thinking, critical thinking is often overlooked.

In the context of the regular job dynamics. Acquiring Excel skills, various programming skills, and marketing skills are all, of course, helpful to thrive and advance in your career path.

But if we look at things from the top of the corporate ladder. The people who call all the shots, get recognized in magazines and earn the most. Are not the ones who know how to code, how to set up marketing campaigns on social media, and how to build websites. Not at all. These people are master critical thinkers and are well-versed in the field of decision-making.

Or in other words, your boss probably doesn’t know how to automate jobs with macros in Excel. But does that mean that he is in a worse condition than you – the Excel master? I don’t think so.

Not that your boss can’t learn Excel. He simply doesn’t have to. He has the means to hire dozens of people who know how to use this tool.

Plainly, people at the top of organizations are not good at clicking buttons. Absolutely not. They are good at critical thinking and problem solving . They see the big picture. They see how things connect, which in turn, allows them to determine the direction of the company.

This realization got me thinking about the skills someone needs to operate in the workspace.

Is it better to learn Python to get better at data analysis? Or, is it better to learn about mental models , so you can understand how people think and behave?

I share my conclusion at the end of this article – it will probably shock you.

Now, based on the above realization about the type of skills someone needs. I’ve categorized them into two buckets:

In bucket one, you have skills that will help you become a good employee.

And in bucket two, you have the skills that can help you become a good employer.

Why Critical Thinking Skills Are Essential In The Workplace?

Critical thinking in the workplace is your ability to successfully orient yourself around a task, even when basic instructions are provided. The mental stamina to not collapse when the project stalls. The intellectual strength to always find elegant solutions to the ever-emerging problems.

People with critical thinking skills are considered good employees because they don’t need a lot of nurturing and can handle problems on their own.

People with critical thinking skills are considered good business owners because they can spot trends and “ride” them.

After these definitions, let’s get back to the skills I mentioned above.

So, we have two buckets of skills.

Bucket one will probably help you get a raise, while bucket two will help you become a person who gives raises.

Let’s showcase how things look to better understand the idea…

People who focus on bucket 1 type of skills are often doing the following:

• Programmers learn new programming languages.
• Designers learn the newest design trends.
• Social media experts learn how to better optimize their campaigns for 0.7% more clicks.

Conversely, people who focus on bucket 2 types of skills are often doing these:

• Programmers read psychology books to understand how people think. From there, they can, for example, create an app that is aligned with the core motivations of people.
• Designers read sales books to better sell their art.
• Social media experts read business books to start their own business, not work endlessly to help someone build theirs.

When you solely focus on bucket 1 type of skills, you create a huge toolbox full of various tools. You become a craftsman. Not harm there.

But if you want to move ahead. You can only do this by getting bucket 2 types of skills.

For example, if you have the skills to build a house. When your thinking is upgraded, you now have the skills to create a business around building and selling houses.

Learning yet another programming language can help you earn more money in your current job. But learning how people make decisions, and how people think, can help you create jobs for others.

How Not Learning Critical Thinking Can Hurt Your Life

Since you are reading this, chances are that you are already a critical thinker.

One doesn’t end up accidentally reading about the types of thinking .

But to showcase why it’s needed. Imagine it like this: If you don’t think critically about your job, you won’t realize that it’s your fault that your job sucks or that your salary is not what you wish.

Yes! It’s you. After all, if you are not happy with your current state. You’ll do something to change it – change jobs, acquire new skills to get a new job or start a business.

As Carl Jung once said:

“Thinking is difficult. That’s why most people judge.” Carl Jung

When we don’t think. We judge others. We find faults in others instead of in ourselves.

We blame others for our misfortunes and our problems.

The examples of critical thinking in the workplace I’ll share below are aimed to illuminate gaps in your current thinking. Thus, help you adjust your trajectory, so you can end up doing the type of work you adore.

Examples of Critical Thinking In The Workplace:

1. realizing what are the values of your organization, 2. not letting past successes cloud your thinking, 3. not letting your emotions rule you, 4. distinguishing between the different skill buckets, 5. having a long-term goal and actively pursuing it.

The definition of good is different in different organizations.

Some companies might be fine if you consistently show up late. Others, in contrast, might shut the door if you often end up oversleeping.

If you are not actively monitoring what your company values. What the people you closely work with see as important. You’ll soon be displaced.

Critical thinkers have the skills to look behind the exaggerated careers page where everything looks fun. They can spot what the senior members want from their employees, and they adapt based on these wants.

This doesn’t mean that they are bootlickers – acting politely in order to get an advantage for themselves.

They simply detect how others work so they can find the best way to work together.

Masterfully executing a project. Being awarded for the best employee of the year. Getting promoted. These are all good things.

Yet, being good once doesn’t mean anything if you are not consistently producing good work.

It’s easy to fall for the overconfidence bias – our tendency to overestimate our abilities.

It’s hard to show up every day and do your best work – even if you are tired and don’t feel like working.

Critical thinkers don’t rely on past fame and reputation. They realize that to be perceived as great, you must constantly perform well.

Where there are people. There are emotions.

Emotions are part of us. There is no escaping our feelings.

And while they can pleasurable. They can also be displeasurable.

The problem with feelings is that they displace logic. Or also called emotional hijacking – from the book Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman – the reasoning part of the brain gets paralyzed. Thus, you react irrationally and destructively.

If someone in the office offends you in some way, the usual response is to strike back. But this is hardly the best way to react.

Critical thinkers recognize that their feelings can cause more harm than good. That’s why they take a step back when hostile thoughts infiltrate their minds and wait for them to disappear.

As I pointed out earlier, there are two major types of skills.

Bucket 1 types of skills will help you get promoted and find a better job.

Bucket 2 types of skills will help you start your own business.

Critical thinkers can competently differentiate between the two and search for jobs that are better for their long-term growth.

For instance, if you work as a bike courier. The skills you gather during this job are hardly transferable in the tech bubble. Meaning that if your goal is to become a programmer. You’ll want to “escape” this type of work as soon as possible, so you can start working something more in line with your desired future position.

All of this leads to the 5th example…

Regardless of what type of work you are doing right now. It’s of major importance to have a long-term goal in relation to where you want to be 5, 10, or 20 years from now.

Do you want to work in the same company doing the same work?

If you do, that’s great. It means that you’re financially and emotionally satisfied.

But if you want to retire early. Start your own business. Or change careers. Your day-to-day life should include time for learning.

Nearly two years ago, my wife wanted to change careers. Before, she worked various odd jobs. When nearing her 30s. She decided that it was time for a change.

After tapping into her wants. She decided to pursue a career in graphic design – something she always wanted to do.

It took her a year to complete a series of courses on the subject, and a couple of months after that to actually start working as a graphic designer.

And while she’s satisfied with her current position. She is working to expand her knowledge in the area of 3d design because she thinks that the demand for this type of design will significantly increase in the future.

Some Closing Thoughts

Let’s return to the question from above:

Is it better to learn Python to get better at data analysis? Or, is it better to learn about mental models so you can understand how people think and behave?

Of course, it depends on what you want to become in the future.

If you search online, the career path of a Data Analyst is to become a Senior Analyst and then potentially Chief Technology Officer.

Conversely, if you learn about the mental models. You’ll become better at reading people. You’ll be better at understanding how they think. And when you know how people think. You’ll be in a better position to influence them.

The second part might seem too abstract.

Reading people? Influencing them? How exactly?

As I mentioned earlier. People on top of the corporate ladder. People who call all the shots. Are not the ones who know how to click buttons. But know where the company should be heading and what means are required to get there. And always, to move a company from one position to the next, you need to possess skills to inspire the people around you.

The reason the title is labeled Thought-Provoking Examples of Critical Thinking in the Workplace is to challenge you. To make you think about what path you need to take.

Improve your skills in relation to getting a job. Or acquire skills to create your own job.

It’s up to you to decide.

Add to your critical thinking knowledge by reading the following:

• Intriguing Examples of Critical Thinking in Everyday Life
• The Importance of Teaching Critical Thinking
• 7 Powerful Critical Thinking Quotes – Deconstructed
• Critical Thinking Process (Or Acting Wisely Even If You’re Not Very Bright)

Hey, did you find the above insightful?

You did? I’m blushing. If you want to stay in the loop for new articles, more deep dives fostering long-term thinking in a world driven by impatience, you can subscribe via the form below (over 4,500 curious minds already did).

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