Critical

Thinking
Presented by Holly Klingler, M.A., M.L.I.S.

When you hear critical

thinking or a good critical
thinker, what comes to
mind?

We often think of many

tools that use critical
thinking:
Problem Solver

Skilled Discussant

Good Communicator

Good Decision

Creative
Open-minded

Maker

Ethical

Organized

Adaptable

Knowledgeable

Passionate

Good Collaborator

Good Analyzer

Mentally Active

Remain Curious

Insightful

Self-Aware

Critical Thinking:
The act of
reassessing or
challenging your
thinking process/
abilities so that you
can think accurately
and efficiently.

Critical Thinking:
Take a moment to reflect on your thinking
process as a manager.
What problems do you feel exist in your
thinking process, or you wish to improve
on?

Critical Thinking:
Take a moment to reflect on your thinking
process.
What areas of your thinking do you feel
you are strong in?
How have these skills helped you?

Good News Is:

Everyone has been, is and
can be a good critical
thinker!

Our goal is to discover WHAT

skills create a lifelong and
conscious critical thinker.

Critical Thinking:
The act of reassessing
or challenging your
thinking process/
abilities (tools) so that
you can think.

Must keep in mind two

perspectives:
The human mind
is AMAZING
Capable of
multitasking

Able to process info

quickly and intuitively

Able to adapt when

needed

BUT

The human mind

is NOT perfect
Limited to some
degree

Make mistakes if not

careful

Influenced BY outside
sources too

10+1= ?
What is the answer?

A bat and ball cost $1.10

The bat costs one dollar more than
the ball.
How much does the ball cost?
What is the answer?

First answer: 11
Second answer: five
cents

More than 50% of students at

Harvard, MIT and Princeton got the
bat-and-ball puzzle incorrect. More
than 80% of other universities had
the incorrect answer as well. *
Must be one dollar more
$1.05 + $.05 = $1.10
*Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman,
2011

Two of the biggest barriers to

critical thinking:
1. Not keeping in mind that we can be
wrong or make mistakes!

Two of the biggest barriers to

critical thinking:
1. Not keeping in mind that we can be
wrong or make mistakes!
2. Assuming that mistakes and being
wrong is simply a bad thing!

Considering Critical Thinking:

What specific benefits can this balance in
thinking and action have for you in your
management position?
How will it help you do your job better? Or
what issues/problems can it help you avoid?

Considering Critical Thinking:

What specific goals can you set in order to achieve
that balance in thinking and action for you and
your employees?
Improve Accuracy

Improve Efficiency

Clear expectations

Clear deadlines

Classes or training

Meetings/check-ins

Meetings/conferences/m
entors

Set limits on time/resources

Allow time to learn/take

risks

Provide organizational tools or

methods

We can vastly improve our

critical thinking (skills) if we
remember:
The balance between being accurate and
efficient.
The mind is amazing but not 100% perfect
to avoid overconfidence.
To continually reassess and challenge our
thinking process in each situation.

Tools/Skills of Critical
Thinking:
Problem Solver

Skilled Discussant

Good Communicator

Good Decision

Creative
Open-minded

Maker

Ethical

Organized

Adaptable

Knowledgeable

Passionate

Good Collaborator

Good Analyzer

Mentally Active

Remain Curious

Insightful

Self-Aware

Three main skills

to focus on:
(Self) Aware
Open-minded
Adaptable

Be (Self) Aware

Biases
Experiences
Values
Perspective
Emotions
Health

All influence your

thinking!

Be Open-Minded
Active attention
See alternatives
Seek connections
Appreciate ambiguity
And
Allow yourself to be
wrong.

Be
Adaptable
Learn from mistakes
AND victories because
things will ALWAYS
change.

Adapt is ACTION.
Change your
environment or your
environment will
change you.

Critical Thinking is a
Lifelong PROCESS
Not easy and takes
constant diligence
and hard work.

Methods to Improve
Critical Thinking:
Actively listen/look
Ask questions
Follow evidence
Be curious and relate
Be flexible and
creative

Methods to Improve
Critical Thinking:
Assume the positive
Be responsive
See a lesson in
everything

Work together
Laugh and ENJOY
change!

Considering Critical Thinking:

What is one skill or action that you will
immediately implement today to become a
better and more aware critical thinker?

Considering Critical Thinking:

What is one skill or action that you will
immediately implement today to become a
better and more aware critical thinker?

What is one method or approach that you will

take today to improve critical thinking skills in
your employees?

Critical Thinking Questions:

What is the purpose of my thinking (goal/objective)?
What precise question (problem) am I trying to answer?
Within what point of view (perspective) am I thinking?
What concepts or ideas are central to my thinking?
What am I taking for granted, what assumptions am I
making?
Critical Thinking: What Every Person Needs to Survive
in a Rapidly Changing World.

Critical Thinking Questions:

What information am I using (data, facts, observation)?
How am I interpreting that information?
What conclusions am I coming to?
If I accept the conclusions, what are the implications?
What would the consequences be if I put my thoughts
into action?

Critical Thinking: What Every Person Needs to Survive

in a Rapidly Changing World.

Thank you for learning

about Critical Thinking!
Please feel free to ask any questions or
comment.