Are You a Strong Decision Maker?
Do you apply critical thinking skills in your decision-making process? A simple definition of critical thinking is the ability to question and evaluate each situation clearly and logically, allowing you to arrive at the best possible solution based on the information available.
The Indeed Editorial Team has identified 14 key characteristics of critical thinking. Today, we’ll explore the first seven:
1. Curiosity – Valuing different perspectives, cultures, and beliefs, and maintaining a willingness to learn from them.
2. Introspection – Being aware of your actions, thoughts, decisions, biases, and inner feelings, allowing for personal growth.
3. Objectivity – The ability to remove personal biases and emotions when analyzing information to make balanced and rational decisions.
4. Analytical Skills – Examining information from various perspectives while focusing on the core components of each situation.
5. Compassion – Recognizing the importance of human interactions in decision-making and balancing emotions with objectivity.
6. Creativity – Finding innovative and unique solutions to regular or recurring problems by questioning standard approaches and rejecting the status quo.
7. Communication – Clearly presenting and expressing your ideas, while being able to convince others of their validity and merit.
We’ll share the remaining seven characteristics next week. In the meantime, reflect on the following questions:
•Do you consider the impact of your decisions on your team and colleagues?
•Do you rely solely on past experiences when making decisions?
•Do you sometimes make quick decisions without seeking additional facts?
•Do you apply the seven critical thinking traits listed above in your decision-making?
Sincerely,
Mike and Jan