Critical Thinking in the Real World

Critical Thinking in The Real World

Researched and Authored by: Michael J. Spindler

Critical thinking is an individual’s ability to adapt and resolve situations by using knowledge and previous experience as tools to develop a solution for problems that have not been previously encountered. In the intellectually stimulating days of industrialization, tasks were outlined to perform a specific step in the manufacturing process, without deviation, to create a product. In the modern age, critical thinking is a requirement in most work places.

The ability to analyze a situation, summarize the problem, develop a plan of action towards resolution, implement the plan of action, observe the results, and verify the solution is a requirement. To experienced employees in the workplace, the processes of critical thinking become second nature, the employee automatically engages in the process of logic thought without even being fully aware of the complexity of the process.

From Doctor Sharon Ferret’s book, “Peak Performance”, she outlines 14 characteristics of a critical thinker, as outlined in a related article on critical thinking, “Developing Critical Thinking through Cooperative Learning”(Klimovien?, Urbonien?, & Barzdžiukien? (2006):

1. Asks pertinent questions.

2. Assesses statements and arguments.

3. Is able to admit a lack of understanding or information.

4. Has a sense of curiosity.

5. Is interested in finding new solutions.

6. Is able to clearly define a set of criteria for analyzing ideas.

7. Is willing to examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions, and weigh them against facts.

8. Listens carefully to others and is able to give feedback.

9. Sees that critical thinking is a lifelong process of self assessment.

10. Looks for evidence to support assumptions and beliefs.

11. Is able to adjust opinions when new facts are found.

12. Looks for proof.

13. Examines problems closely.

14. Is able to reject information that is incorrect or irrelevant.

(Klimovien?, Urbonien?, & Barzdžiukien?, 2006)

For individuals who already have a similar train of thought as the outline would suggest, the above list of characteristics and the ability to incorporate those processes would come easily. To individuals who may not be inclined towards logical thought; the process of incorporating and applying these traits may come slowly in time. The mere fact that it would take a great deal of patience, time, and understanding, on behalf of an employer would most likely involuntarily commit the individual to lower paying jobs in which the individual is not paid for a level of mental capacity or ability.

The fact of the matter is, in the modern age, employees are paid to solve problems, with minimal supervision or hand holding. The employees’ ability to “dive in” and succeed are qualities that companies will pay for and encourage continued growth. However, this is never a guarantee in the world’s marketplace, through recession, downsizing, and out sourcing. In the following paragraphs, the author will discuss how even experience and documented accomplishments as a result of critical thinking are never enough to remain insulated from the realties of corporate America.

However, as the employee work pattern has changed in America, now a loss of a job is not the end of the world. The ability to find new employment and climb the ranks becomes an easier part of life because of critical thinking. As a computer technician, playing the pin ball game of the Information Technology (IT) field, the author has progressively grown with experience and higher expectations in compensation for services provided with each transition. Had the author’s goal been to stay with one company from the point of entry into the IT field, his knowledge would have been limited to an expertise of the environment garnered through trial and error. His compensation would have been limited to a three percent hike for each year of service, if he were lucky. “Changing employers is traditionally the fastest path to securing a significant hike in pay. Most firms tend to have restrictive rules on the rate of pay increase available to existing employees, even those changing jobs or gaining promotions. (Kolakowski, 2008) But the ability to go into an environment, become very proficient with trouble shooting technologies that he was not previously exposed too, and to incorporate those experiences into his knowledge base makes him a more valuable commodity.

As a person’s knowledge base increases, and the more practiced and diligent the person becomes at using and applying critical thinking skills, the person begins to feel confident and the next problem encountered becomes less daunting. The author has been in the IT field for eight years, a period divided up between companies numbering in the teens. With each job that passed, each new job became easier, no matter how foreign the environment. The ability to become an effective member of each new team was greatly increased as any hand holding gradually became less to none at all in an efficient and timely manner. Of course, an internal support structure within a team will always be present. But a team player’s ability to become a reliable and self reliant team mate is valuable to employers.

In summary, the only real insulation an employee has in the modern world is to become highly effective at resolving problems through the processes of critical thinking. Even from the start; writing a resume, analyzing the results of the resume, and refining the resume to get the desired results. Critical thinking has to be a part of persons psyche before landing the job.

References – Do Not Strip Article References

Klimovien?, Urbonien?, & Barzdžiukien? (2006). Developing Critical Thinking through Cooperative Learning. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.ceeol.com/aspx/getdocument.aspx?logid=5&id=C753B42C-4EAE-4166-83FE-45F01E8C7BE8

Kolakowski, M. (2008). Changing Jobs. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://financecareers.about.com/od/changingjobs/a/changejob.htm

Researched and Authored by: Michael J. Spindler

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