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Problem Solving and Critical thinking

Problem-solving is a fairly easy process to explain because it has to do with something that breaks down. It is reactionary, presenting itself as difficulty, trouble, crisis, dilemma, predicament or quandary. When the problem is acknowledged, and its’ various aspects are investigated, the “fix” becomes the obsession. When the problem is presumed to be fixed, the thinking stops. Problem-solving finds life only as a result of a decision going badly… Not so in the critical thinking process.

Critical thinking is implicit. It is, because it is. It is anticipatory. It is proactive. It searches out and evaluates each and every bit of information as that information presents itself- from a first thought, to the integration of a plan, and then continuing forever after. It constantly evaluates new information as it is received that will influence change. Critical thinking yields conclusions based on reason. It reasons notions, ideas, and thoughts. It is bias-proof; or as bias-proof as a thought process can get.

Critical thinking renders judgment when it is satisfied that it has enough quality information to do so, but does not attach finality to its conclusions; continuing to remain vigilant to new information. So, unlike problem-solving, critical thinking reasons before the problem arises and keeps right on reasoning, forever after. Additionally, there doesn’t have to be a recognized problem or difficulty to appreciate the value of critical thinking. In fact, the critical thinking process deters problems from arising. One could also refer to the critical thinking process as the “nip-it-in-the-bud” process.

Critical thinker is what we call the person to whom is assigned the job as purveyor, or host, of the critical thinking process. The critical thinker must be able to think in an organized fashion; considering all relevant information sequentially, and determining when it is appropriate to draw conclusions. It should be noted that a [best] critical thinker, for the most part, cannot help themselves; they are what they are… To some, a pain in the butt; to others (the truly enlightened) they are a valuable resource in the toolbox of Organizational Development. All this said, even the most obvious truth is worthless if it cannot be effectively communicated.

As a critical thinker you have recognized a need to provide feedback to someone. You have gathered an amount of information of which you deem appropriate to have drawn a conclusion;

a conclusion that you feel is now necessary to communicate. You understand that you are assumed to be a glass-half-empty person. You know that you may be sounding an alarm about a problem that does not yet exist. You know that some of what you want to communicate are not answers, but questions; questions you are not able to answer, but maybe others can.

With all these negatives in mind, you know you will have to communicate your message in a way that precludes perception of your own bias AND communicate it in such a way that considers the bias of others.  A critical thinker understands that bias is a barrier to effectively conveying AND accepting an idea. Ideological bias (political, environmental, etc.), material-reward bias (money, power, prestige, etc.), and personal bias (involving self, family, etc.) are the three that seem to elicit the most emotion. Since emotion has no IQ, the challenge of communicating necessary information is huge, but not necessarily insurmountable.