"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." -Albert Einstein Train your brain to look at situations and problems differently, open your mind to new ideas, and use scientific reasoning on your problems.

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CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

3. In a recent study, CRITICAL THINKING was identified as one of the
most important skills needed
for job success, and
one that is lacking inthe new workforce.
“Are They Ready to Work? Employers Perspective on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21stCentury US Workforce” Conducted by The Conference Board, Partnership for 21stCentury Skills, Corporate Voices for Working Families, and Society for Human Resource Management

6. “Critical Thinking is reasonable reflectivethinking focused on deciding what to believe or do.”
“Critical Thinking is best understood as the ability of thinkers to take charge of their ownthinking.”

7. Think of going into the dressing room when you’re
shopping. How many times do you twist and twirl
in front of the three-sided mirror before deciding
whether or not to buy?
Critical Thinking is the three-sided mirror of
decision making; letting you look at all the angles
to make the best possible choice.
Another way of looking at it…

8. “With workplaces so complex and rapidly changing, combined with the recession, it’s important that newly hired employees have critical thinking skills.”
By Pearson’s TalentLensGroup

9. Like most skills, critical
thinking can be improved!
“Critical thinking is harder than people think,
because it requires knowledge.”
- Joanne Jacobs
“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is
probably the reason why so few engage in it.”
- Henry Ford

10. THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Critical Thinking
Inform & Describe
Discover & Explore
Negotiate & Cooperate
Test & Revise
Integrate & Apply

11. Inform & Describe
•Clarify
•What you need to know
•What you already know
•Information you have about the issue
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING

12. Discover & Explore
•Look at your issue more closely
•Start to be more directed and purposeful in seeking information
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING

13. Negotiate & Cooperate
•Consider different perspectives
•Engage in discussion
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING

14. Test & Revise
•Weigh the evidence
•Test out different ideas
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING

15. Integrate & Apply
•Bring together various ideas
•Consolidate and articulate new understandings
THE PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING

17. Improving Your Critical Thinking
•Seek out ideas—old and new
•Read books, periodicals, articles, etc.
•Experiment, brainstorm, have discussions, attend exhibits
•Take action
•Dare to be different!
•Be open minded and flexible
•Apply ideas to every facet of your life
•Alwaysask, “How can this be done better?”

18. •Study innovation, change, and creativity
•Be curious and observant
•Look at situation through the eyes of a child
•Keep asking, “why”
•Ask good questions
•Constantly reflect on each aspect
•Who, what, where, when, why, how, if, etc.
Improving Your Critical Thinking

19. •Develop your reflective thinking skills
•Daydream about the situation
•Jump between logical, imaginative, and wild thinking
•Build your knowledge and intuition base
•Learn how to research and visualize
•Use triggers
•Find the time and place that help you think best
Improving Your Critical Thinking

20. •Focus on the most relevant information
•Ask the right questions
•Separate facts from opinions and assumptions
•Make sound decisions
•Set priorities
•Learn quickly
•Apply what they learn to new situations
Good Critical Thinkers:

21. Problem
Solving
There is a difference between Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.
Critical Thinking is an intentional and reflective way of looking at things or circumstances, while Problem Solving focuses on a specific situation.

22. Let’s face it!
In the business world, we will always have problems that need to be solved.

23. Any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty.
A matter about which it is difficult to decide what to do.
But first…what exactly is a problem?
Any negative situation, issue, or matter that is unresolved.

24. “Problem Solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.”
“Don’t find fault…find aremedy!”
-Henry Ford
“Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” -Henri Kaiser

26. The Decision Making Process
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2
3
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5
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27. The Decision Making Process
1
•Try and figure out exactly what your problem is, and write a problem statement
•It helps to think of what you havebut don’t want, or what you want but don’t have
2
•Brainstorm all possible causes of the problem
•Attempt to get to the very root cause
•Use your inner child; keep asking “why?”
3
•Once you’ve found the cause, think of all possible solutions

28. The Decision Making Process
•Using your list of possible solutions, evaluate all the possible consequences of each solution
•Choose the best solution based on what is most practical
•Look at effectiveness
•How much risk does the proposed solution carry?
•Does it fit within your budget?
•Always check back to see how your solution is working,
•Revise your plans as needed
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5
6

29. Decision Making Checklist
Do I have all the information I need?
Have I considered all possible solutions?
Will my decision help me meet my goals?

30. Does it violate any of my values?
Have I considered all the consequences?
Can I live with the consequences?
Decision Making Checklist

31. LEARNING FROM YOUR DECISIONS:
Think about:
•What went well?
•What did not go well?
•What could be done differently?

32. “You are free to choose, but the choices you make today will determine what you will have, be and do in the tomorrow of your life.”
—ZigZiglar

33. Final Thoughts
•Be objective—think critically
•Use your tools
•Think both short-term and long-term
•Check with others when decisions may affect them
•Stay focused
•Use your values and
goals as a compass

34. “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
-Albert Einstein

35. We hope you found this information helpful. Check us out at www.miworksmo.org.
•Give us any questions/comments/concerns
•See our workshop schedule
•Learn more about Michigan Works! Muskegon-Oceana
Like what you saw?

36. Sources Cited:
Goodwill Industries International, Inc. Critical ThinkingDeveloping Your Decision Making SkillsPublished: December 2009
Critical-Thinkers.comThings That Make You Think: Critical Thinking Quotes
By Breanne Harris, Sept. 20, 2010
Mysuperchargedlife.comMaking Positive Choices: Ideas and Thoughts about Forming Good Habits for a Good Life –Jeff, Jan. 22, 2010
About.comWhat is Problem-Solving? By Kendra Cherry
Leadershipnow.comLeading Thoughts
Quotes on Problem Solving