how can you improve critical thinking

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How to build critical thinking skills for better decision-making

It’s simple in theory, but tougher in practice – here are five tips to get you started.

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Have you heard the riddle about two coins that equal thirty cents, but one of them is not a nickel? What about the one where a surgeon says they can’t operate on their own son?

Those brain teasers tap into your critical thinking skills. But your ability to think critically isn’t just helpful for solving those random puzzles – it plays a big role in your career. 

An impressive 81% of employers say critical thinking carries a lot of weight when they’re evaluating job candidates. It ranks as the top competency companies consider when hiring recent graduates (even ahead of communication ). Plus, once you’re hired, several studies show that critical thinking skills are highly correlated with better job performance.

So what exactly are critical thinking skills? And even more importantly, how do you build and improve them? 

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate facts and information, remain objective, and make a sound decision about how to move forward.

Does that sound like how you approach every decision or problem? Not so fast. Critical thinking seems simple in theory but is much tougher in practice, which helps explain why 65% of employers say their organization has a need for more critical thinking. 

In reality, critical thinking doesn’t come naturally to a lot of us. In order to do it well, you need to:

• Remain open-minded and inquisitive, rather than relying on assumptions or jumping to conclusions
• Ask questions and dig deep, rather than accepting information at face value
• Keep your own biases and perceptions in check to stay as objective as possible
• Rely on your emotional intelligence to fill in the blanks and gain a more well-rounded understanding of a situation

So, critical thinking isn’t just being intelligent or analytical. In many ways, it requires you to step outside of yourself, let go of your own preconceived notions, and approach a problem or situation with curiosity and fairness.

It’s a challenge, but it’s well worth it. Critical thinking skills will help you connect ideas, make reasonable decisions, and solve complex problems.

7 critical thinking skills to help you dig deeper

Critical thinking is often labeled as a skill itself (you’ll see it bulleted as a desired trait in a variety of job descriptions). But it’s better to think of critical thinking less as a distinct skill and more as a collection or category of skills. 

To think critically, you’ll need to tap into a bunch of your other soft skills. Here are seven of the most important. 

Open-mindedness

It’s important to kick off the critical thinking process with the idea that anything is possible. The more you’re able to set aside your own suspicions, beliefs, and agenda, the better prepared you are to approach the situation with the level of inquisitiveness you need. 

That means not closing yourself off to any possibilities and allowing yourself the space to pull on every thread – yes, even the ones that seem totally implausible.

As Christopher Dwyer, Ph.D. writes in a piece for Psychology Today , “Even if an idea appears foolish, sometimes its consideration can lead to an intelligent, critically considered conclusion.” He goes on to compare the critical thinking process to brainstorming . Sometimes the “bad” ideas are what lay the foundation for the good ones. 

Open-mindedness is challenging because it requires more effort and mental bandwidth than sticking with your own perceptions. Approaching problems or situations with true impartiality often means:

• Practicing self-regulation : Giving yourself a pause between when you feel something and when you actually react or take action.
• Challenging your own biases: Acknowledging your biases and seeking feedback are two powerful ways to get a broader understanding. 

Critical thinking example

In a team meeting, your boss mentioned that your company newsletter signups have been decreasing and she wants to figure out why.

At first, you feel offended and defensive – it feels like she’s blaming you for the dip in subscribers. You recognize and rationalize that emotion before thinking about potential causes. You have a hunch about what’s happening, but you will explore all possibilities and contributions from your team members.

Observation

Observation is, of course, your ability to notice and process the details all around you (even the subtle or seemingly inconsequential ones). Critical thinking demands that you’re flexible and willing to go beyond surface-level information, and solid observation skills help you do that.

Your observations help you pick up on clues from a variety of sources and experiences, all of which help you draw a final conclusion. After all, sometimes it’s the most minuscule realization that leads you to the strongest conclusion.

Over the next week or so, you keep a close eye on your company’s website and newsletter analytics to see if numbers are in fact declining or if your boss’s concerns were just a fluke. 

Critical thinking hinges on objectivity. And, to be objective, you need to base your judgments on the facts – which you collect through research. You’ll lean on your research skills to gather as much information as possible that’s relevant to your problem or situation. 

Keep in mind that this isn’t just about the quantity of information – quality matters too. You want to find data and details from a variety of trusted sources to drill past the surface and build a deeper understanding of what’s happening. 

You dig into your email and website analytics to identify trends in bounce rates, time on page, conversions, and more. You also review recent newsletters and email promotions to understand what customers have received, look through current customer feedback, and connect with your customer support team to learn what they’re hearing in their conversations with customers.

The critical thinking process is sort of like a treasure hunt – you’ll find some nuggets that are fundamental for your final conclusion and some that might be interesting but aren’t pertinent to the problem at hand.

That’s why you need analytical skills. They’re what help you separate the wheat from the chaff, prioritize information, identify trends or themes, and draw conclusions based on the most relevant and influential facts. 

It’s easy to confuse analytical thinking with critical thinking itself, and it’s true there is a lot of overlap between the two. But analytical thinking is just a piece of critical thinking. It focuses strictly on the facts and data, while critical thinking incorporates other factors like emotions, opinions, and experiences. 

As you analyze your research, you notice that one specific webpage has contributed to a significant decline in newsletter signups. While all of the other sources have stayed fairly steady with regard to conversions, that one has sharply decreased.

You decide to move on from your other hypotheses about newsletter quality and dig deeper into the analytics. 

One of the traps of critical thinking is that it’s easy to feel like you’re never done. There’s always more information you could collect and more rabbit holes you could fall down.

But at some point, you need to accept that you’ve done your due diligence and make a decision about how to move forward. That’s where inference comes in. It’s your ability to look at the evidence and facts available to you and draw an informed conclusion based on those. 

When you’re so focused on staying objective and pursuing all possibilities, inference can feel like the antithesis of critical thinking. But ultimately, it’s your inference skills that allow you to move out of the thinking process and onto the action steps. 

You dig deeper into the analytics for the page that hasn’t been converting and notice that the sharp drop-off happened around the same time you switched email providers.

After looking more into the backend, you realize that the signup form on that page isn’t correctly connected to your newsletter platform. It seems like anybody who has signed up on that page hasn’t been fed to your email list. 

Communication

3 ways to improve your communication skills at work

If and when you identify a solution or answer, you can’t keep it close to the vest. You’ll need to use your communication skills to share your findings with the relevant stakeholders – like your boss, team members, or anybody who needs to be involved in the next steps.

Your analysis skills will come in handy here too, as they’ll help you determine what information other people need to know so you can avoid bogging them down with unnecessary details. 

In your next team meeting, you pull up the analytics and show your team the sharp drop-off as well as the missing connection between that page and your email platform. You ask the web team to reinstall and double-check that connection and you also ask a member of the marketing team to draft an apology email to the subscribers who were missed. 

Problem-solving

Critical thinking and problem-solving are two more terms that are frequently confused. After all, when you think critically, you’re often doing so with the objective of solving a problem.

The best way to understand how problem-solving and critical thinking differ is to think of problem-solving as much more narrow. You’re focused on finding a solution.

In contrast, you can use critical thinking for a variety of use cases beyond solving a problem – like answering questions or identifying opportunities for improvement. Even so, within the critical thinking process, you’ll flex your problem-solving skills when it comes time to take action. 

Once the fix is implemented, you monitor the analytics to see if subscribers continue to increase. If not (or if they increase at a slower rate than you anticipated), you’ll roll out some other tests like changing the CTA language or the placement of the subscribe form on the page.

5 ways to improve your critical thinking skills

Beyond the buzzwords: Why interpersonal skills matter at work

Think critically about critical thinking and you’ll quickly realize that it’s not as instinctive as you’d like it to be. Fortunately, your critical thinking skills are learned competencies and not inherent gifts – and that means you can improve them. Here’s how:

• Practice active listening: Active listening helps you process and understand what other people share. That’s crucial as you aim to be open-minded and inquisitive.
• Ask open-ended questions: If your critical thinking process involves collecting feedback and opinions from others, ask open-ended questions (meaning, questions that can’t be answered with “yes” or “no”). Doing so will give you more valuable information and also prevent your own biases from influencing people’s input.
• Scrutinize your sources: Figuring out what to trust and prioritize is crucial for critical thinking. Boosting your media literacy and asking more questions will help you be more discerning about what to factor in. It’s hard to strike a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness, but approaching information with questions (rather than unquestioning trust) will help you draw better conclusions. 
• Play a game: Remember those riddles we mentioned at the beginning? As trivial as they might seem, games and exercises like those can help you boost your critical thinking skills. There are plenty of critical thinking exercises you can do individually or as a team . 
• Give yourself time: Research shows that rushed decisions are often regrettable ones. That’s likely because critical thinking takes time – you can’t do it under the wire. So, for big decisions or hairy problems, give yourself enough time and breathing room to work through the process. It’s hard enough to think critically without a countdown ticking in your brain. 

Critical thinking really is critical

The ability to think critically is important, but it doesn’t come naturally to most of us. It’s just easier to stick with biases, assumptions, and surface-level information. 

But that route often leads you to rash judgments, shaky conclusions, and disappointing decisions. So here’s a conclusion we can draw without any more noodling: Even if it is more demanding on your mental resources, critical thinking is well worth the effort.

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How to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Last Updated: June 5, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Sandra Possing . Sandra Possing is a life coach, speaker, and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sandra specializes in one-on-one coaching with a focus on mindset and leadership transformation. Sandra received her coaching training from The Coaches Training Institute and has seven years of life coaching experience. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 809,586 times.

Critical Thinking is the art of using reason to analyze ideas and dig deeper to get to our true potential. Critical thinking isn't about thinking more or thinking harder; it's about thinking better . Honing your critical thinking skills can open up a lifetime of intellectual curiosity. But the journey isn't all rosy. Critical thinking requires a lot of discipline. Staying on track takes a combination of steady growth, motivation, and the ability to take an honest look at yourself, even in the face of some uncomfortable facts.

Honing Your Questioning Skills

• What does it mean to question assumptions? Einstein questioned the assumption that Newtonian laws of motion could accurately describe the world. [2] X Research source He developed an entirely new framework for looking at the world by re describing what he thought had happened, starting from scratch.
• We can question assumptions in a similar way. Why do we feel the need to eat in the morning, even when we're not hungry? Why do we assume that we'll fail when we haven't even tried?
• What other assumptions are we taking for granted that might crumble upon further examination?

• Get in the habit of using your instinct to investigate questionable pieces of information. If your gut isn't satisfied with an explanation, ask the person to elaborate. If you don't question a fact, read about it or test it yourself. Soon enough, you'll build up a pretty good sense of what deserves more research and what you've determined to be true in your own judgment.

• How does ball lightning work?
• How do fish fall from the sky in the middle of Australia? [4] X Trustworthy Source Library of Congress Official library of the U.S. and main research institution for Congress and the American public Go to source
• How can we take meaningful steps to fight global poverty ?
• How do we dismantle production of nuclear weapons worldwide?

Adjusting Your Perspective

• Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com, famously understood the benefits of thinking several steps ahead. He tired Wired Magazine in 2011: "If everything you do needs to work on a three-year time horizon, then you’re competing against a lot of people. But if you’re willing to invest on a seven-year time horizon, you’re now competing against a fraction of those people, because very few companies are willing to do that." When the Kindle first hit stores in 2007 it was more than three years in development, at a time when e-readers were on nobody's radar. [7] X Research source

• Solve a problem a day. Spend a little bit of time figuring out a problem and then try to solve it. [11] X Research source The problem could be a theoretical or a personal one.
• Find the time to exercise consistently. 30 minutes of aerobic exercise — as little as a walk around the neighborhood — can help improve brain function.
• Eat the right kinds of foods. Avocados, blueberries, wild salmon, nuts and seeds, as well as brown rice play an instrumental role in keeping your brain healthy. [12] X Research source

Putting It All Together

Expert Q&A

• Be diplomatic. Your aim is not the person himself, but the proposal he puts forward. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Use libraries and the Internet, to find out information on the topic you're critiquing. An uninformed critique is sometimes worse than one merely executed badly. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

• Or utilize the 'sandwich method': compliment, suggestion, compliment. Criticism is received better, using this approach. Also, use the person's name, smile (genuinely), and look them in the eye Thanks Helpful 69 Not Helpful 12
• Give criticism in a non-offensive way, as people can get defensive if something they pride themselves on gets attacked. Therefore do not antagonize a hard-core abortion supporter by giving a heated anti-abortion speech. It will only make him go on an offensive to defend his beliefs, totally ignore your arguments, and strengthen his resolve to support abortion. Prefacing criticism with praise usually works well. Thanks Helpful 66 Not Helpful 25

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://library.louisville.edu/ekstrom/criticalthinking/assumptions
• ↑ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/einstein-on-newton.html
• ↑ https://www.thetechedvocate.org/utilizing-critical-thinking-in-the-digital-information-age/
• ↑ https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/meteorology-climatology/item/can-it-rain-frogs-fish-and-other-objects/
• ↑ http://www.npr.org/2014/03/04/285580969/when-it-comes-to-vaccines-science-can-run-into-a-brick-wall
• ↑ https://psych.wustl.edu/news/understanding-your-biases
• ↑ http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/02/17/140217fa_fact_packer?currentPage=all
• ↑ https://www.acc.edu.au/blog/reading-comprehension-student-performance/
• ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
• ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/13/mental-exercises-to-keep-your-brain-sharp
• ↑ https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/critical-thinking-in-everyday-life-9-strategies/512
• ↑ http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/eat-smart-healthier-brain
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-basicreadingwriting/chapter/outcome-critical-thinking/

About This Article

You can improve your critical thinking skills by questioning information that you hear instead of taking it at face-value. Double-check facts that you hear, regardless of whether you get your information from other people, on TV, from a newspaper or online. Reading great books is another way to improve critical thinking, as books encourage you to think more deeply and independently about subjects. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask someone who’s knowledgeable about the subject to explain it to you. With practice, you'll become more and more comfortable with critical thinking! For tips on how the people you hang out with can improve your critical thinking, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Professional Skills

• Jul 21, 2019

10 Ways to Develop Your Critical Thinking Skills

Valerie David

Lifestyle and Career Expert

Many a TV and movie hero would have you believe that all the best decisions are made with a ‘gut feeling’. Unlike that onscreen police detective whose hunches solve major crimes and get him the key to the city, however, most of us would likely be jobless if we operated this way.

While intuition can be a valuable skill in the workplace , most employers would prefer you excel in critical thinking and problem solving . So, what makes someone a critical thinker, exactly? It’s the ability to look at issues objectively and effectively, without letting bias or emotions cloud your judgement.

It’s not an easy task, but critical thinking improves your communication with others, helps you solve problems in the best interests of everyone involved, and allows you to see a clearer path to success and advancement in your career . The good news is you can begin right away, so read on to learn how to develop your critical thinking skills.

1. Take Time to Evaluate Your Decision Making

The first step in developing your critical thinking skills is to set aside time to evaluate your daily choices and decisions. In the same way a coach looks at a recording of a game to identify his team’s strengths and weaknesses, use this exercise to identify your successful actions that day, as well as the scenarios that didn’t turn out as well as you hoped.

Ask yourself a series of questions about those actions. What was your motivation? Did you achieve your goals? Did you do something contrary to your own belief system? Take the extra time to really think about your answers. You might want to keep a journal of these self-evaluations to help you spot patterns in your thinking and decision making .

2. Avoid Egocentrism

Most people evaluate issues or disagreements with the default view that they themselves are correct. Being a more critical thinker requires us to contemplate the possibility that we may be wrong or are acting in our own self-interest rather than the good of others or of the company we work for.

Two prominent authors and instructors in the field of critical thinking development , Richard Paul and Linda Elder, say that feelings of irritation and resentment during the workday can actually be signs of egocentric thinking. Considering how a ‘rational’ person (think Mr Spock from Star Trek ) might have reacted to the same situation can help you understand how your own emotions or bias affected your actions.

Those same emotions can also affect your interpretation of others’ actions. Taking arguments personally and feeling attacked by someone else’s opinion can cloud your judgement. Try to view their statements as an attempt to solve a problem or improve conditions, and not a strike against your self-worth.

3. Be an Active Listener

When someone is speaking to us, we are often more focused on what we’re going to say in response than in carefully listening to everything they’re sharing. We miss important details and don’t take the time to consider or fully comprehend their point of view.

Next time you converse with someone, actively listen to their story, their argument and even their criticisms. Cataloguing all this information without immediately reacting to it helps you improve your critical thinking skills and understand your colleagues better.

Active listening also gives you the time to experience and empathise with their situation, which is helpful for facilitating teamwork and resolving conflicts at work .

4. Analyse the Information

Gathering data is only the first step in the process of becoming a critical thinker. Achieving a goal or resolving an argument requires analysing all that information. This once again means asking a lot of questions.

• What is the source of the information?
• Are there gaps in logic in someone’s argument?
• Are they using emotion rather than facts to sway your opinion?
• Is there any evidence to support their point of view or yours?

In a work environment, you have to carefully dissect each side of an issue, and then consider how any decision would affect your colleagues as well as the company’s bottom line.

5. Gather Research

Another important step in improving your critical thinking skills is to accept that you don’t know everything. Many articles have been written about common misconceptions about a whole range of subjects, so you should always take the time to verify any ‘facts’ you base your decisions or arguments on.

The trick of researching is to find reliable information. Always check the source. Is it a well-respected journal or news outlet? Is the author an educated and experienced expert? Can you verify the same information from multiple sites or authorities?

Critical thinkers also consider an author’s agenda, anything from a political affiliation to a product to sell.

6. Develop Your Curiosity

Think about the last time you conversed with someone who asked you a lot of detailed questions and made you uncomfortable. We often spend time with friends, sharing opinions without challenge, and it can be startling when someone actually calls us out on those opinions. Forced to explain our thought process, we may realise our argument wasn’t that sound after all.

If you want to develop your critical thinking, it’s time to be that questioning person. When someone shares an idea or judgement, don’t just accept it and move on to the next thing. Indulge your curiosity and ask some open-ended questions to get more details, and further explore the issue.

7. Approach Arguments with Compassion

In the age of social media discourse, which can escalate rapidly from name-calling to harassment to even death threats, a peaceful approach can be daunting. The first step is to look for the logic in an opponent’s argument. Focus on the critical thinking skills you apply to your own decisions and examine their motivations, evidence and reasoning.

Making an immediate effort to understand the opposing point of view can help keep you from becoming defensive and escalating the disagreement. The compassionate approach won’t necessarily lead to complete harmony, but an open mind allows you to examine all the information and, hopefully, find common ground.

The ability to understand others’ emotions and skilfully negotiate with them is considered a valuable skill to potential employers . Becoming a critical thinker in highly charged situations needn't be wasted on Twitter flame wars; it’s extremely useful in making a sale to a difficult client, keeping an unhappy customer on board or even convincing your boss to use your idea for a new product line instead of theirs.

8. Examine Decisions in Multiple Environments

When facing a difficult decision, everyone has heard the advice to ‘sleep on it’. This is sound advice. One of the main pillars of critical thinking is to remove emotion from the equation. If you’ve just had an argument with a colleague, you’ve been reprimanded by your boss for a mistake or even if you’ve just had an all-around bad day at work , it’s best to hold off on important decisions until you feel calmer and more rational.

Even when things are peaceful, take the time to look at a problem from multiple angles. Change your environment, mood, and who you interact with to help spark creative thinking and get you to a solution you might not have considered at the start.

9. Assign Yourself a Problem to Work On

Any skill you want to master requires practice. Applying critical thinking in your daily interactions will help you improve, but a specific task is also useful. Think of an issue in your career and spend any free moments during the day, like during your commute or on your lunch break, breaking that problem down into pieces you can analyse.

The goal during this analysis is to identify actionable elements. What can you do right now? What moves can you make over time to reach the perfect solution? How can you work around the issues that you can’t control? Continue to analyse the results after you act and adapt your strategies as you move forward.

Critical thinking and problem solving have always been useful at work, but employers will increasingly look for these skills as jobs become more complex and challenging due to ever-evolving technology and globalisation. Continue to assign yourself problems to tackle; even minor issues will help you keep your critical skills sharp.

10. Talk to a More Diverse Group of People

You can develop critical thinking skills with a lot of self-reflection, research and study, but staying locked in your own bubble can lead right back to egocentrism. Seek out people with different backgrounds, experiences and opinions to simply learn from them or to engage in some lively debate.

One of the most positive aspects of the internet is that it allows us to make these connections more easily. Aside from forums, group chats and social media, consider guesting on a podcast in your field of expertise. The more casual format can lead to some lively discussions and will force you to apply all your critical thinking skills on the fly. You can approach podcasters directly or try out services like Podcast Guests to connect you with interested hosts.

The key to improving your critical thinking skills is to constantly ask questions and seek the truth about everyone’s motives and actions, including your own. You won’t always be able to keep emotions out of an argument but practising these critical thinking strategies will help you find your way through difficult and complex situations to the best possible outcome.

Can you think of a time when these strategies helped you solve a problem at work? Do you have your own techniques for perfecting critical thinking? Let us know in the comments section below.

Scott H Young

Rasmussen College

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking Skills

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Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

To make good decisions, it’s important to think critically. And, yet, too many leaders accept the first solution proposed to them or don’t take the time to evaluate a topic from all sides. To guard against these mistakes, there are several things you can do to hone your critical thinking skills. First, question your assumptions, […]

To make good decisions, it’s important to think critically. And, yet, too many leaders accept the first solution proposed to them or don’t take the time to evaluate a topic from all sides. To guard against these mistakes, there are several things you can do to hone your critical thinking skills. First, question your assumptions, especially when the stakes are high. If you’re coming up with a new business strategy, for example, ask: Why is this the best way forward? What does the research say about our expectations for the future of the market? Second, poke at the logic. When evaluating arguments, consider if the evidence builds on itself to produce a sound conclusion. Is the logic supported by data at each point? Third, seek out fresh perspectives. It’s tempting to rely on your inner circle to help you think through these questions, but that won’t be productive if they all look and think like you. Get outside your bubble and ask different people to question and challenge your logic.

Source: Adapted from “3 Simple Habits to Improve Your Critical Thinking,” Helen Lee Bouygues

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• How to build your critical thinking ski ...

How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps (with examples)

Critical thinking is, well, critical. By building these skills, you improve your ability to analyze information and come to the best decision possible. In this article, we cover the basics of critical thinking, as well as the seven steps you can use to implement the full critical thinking process.

Critical thinking comes from asking the right questions to come to the best conclusion possible. Strong critical thinkers analyze information from a variety of viewpoints in order to identify the best course of action.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you have strong critical thinking abilities. In this article, we’ll help you build a foundation for critical thinking so you can absorb, analyze, and make informed decisions. 

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information to come to a conclusion. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics, and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution. 

Definitions of critical thinking

Various scholars have provided definitions of critical thinking, each emphasizing different aspects of this complex cognitive process:

Michael Scriven , an American philosopher, defines critical thinking as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action."

Robert Ennis , professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, describes critical thinking as "reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do."

Diane Halpern , a cognitive psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, defines it as "the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome."

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Top 8 critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is essential for success in everyday life, higher education, and professional settings. The handbook "Foundation for Critical Thinking" defines it as a process of conceptualization, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

In no particular order, here are eight key critical thinking abilities that can help you excel in any situation:

1. Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking involves evaluating data from multiple sources in order to come to the best conclusions. Analytical thinking allows people to reject cognitive biases and strive to gather and analyze intricate subject matter while solving complex problems. Analytical thinkers who thrive at critical thinking can:

Identify patterns and trends in the data

Break down complex issues into manageable components

Recognize cause-and-effect relationships

Evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence

Example: A data analyst breaks down complex sales figures to identify trends and patterns that inform the company's marketing strategy.

2. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas, arguments, and information without prejudice. This critical thinking skill helps you analyze and process information to come to an unbiased conclusion. Part of the critical thinking process is letting your personal biases go, taking information at face value and coming to a conclusion based on multiple points of view .

Open-minded critical thinkers demonstrate:

Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints

Ability to suspend judgment until sufficient evidence is gathered

Receptiveness to constructive criticism and feedback

Flexibility in updating beliefs based on new information

Example: During a product development meeting, a team leader actively considers unconventional ideas from junior members, leading to an innovative solution.

3. Problem-solving

Effective problem solving is a cornerstone of critical thinking. It requires the ability to identify issues, generate possible solutions, evaluate alternatives, and implement the best course of action. This critical thinking skill is particularly valuable in fields like project management and entrepreneurship.

Key aspects of problem-solving include:

Clearly defining the problem

Gathering relevant information

Brainstorming potential solutions

Evaluating the pros and cons of each option

Implementing and monitoring the chosen solution

Reflecting on the outcome and adjusting as necessary

Example: A high school principal uses problem-solving skills to address declining student engagement by surveying learners, consulting with higher education experts, and implementing a new curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, real-world applications.

4. Reasoned judgment

Reasoned judgment is a key component of higher order thinking that involves making thoughtful decisions based on logical analysis of evidence and thorough consideration of alternatives. This critical thinking skill is important in both academic and professional settings. Key aspects reasoned judgment include:

Objectively gathering and analyzing information

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of evidence

Considering multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions

Making decisions based on logical inference and sound reasoning

Example: A high school science teacher uses reasoned judgment to design an experiment, carefully observing and analyzing results before drawing conclusions about the hypothesis.

5. Reflective thinking

Reflective thinking is the process of analyzing one's own thought processes, actions, and outcomes to gain deeper understanding and improve future performance. Good critical thinking requires analyzing and synthesizing information to form a coherent understanding of a problem. It's an essential critical thinking skill for continuous learning and improvement.

Key aspects of reflective thinking include:

Critically examining one's own assumptions and cognitive biases

Considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Synthesizing information from various experiences and sources

Applying insights to improve future decision-making and actions

Continuously evaluating and adjusting one's thinking processes

Example: A community organizer reflects on the outcomes of a recent public event, considering what worked well and what could be improved for future initiatives.

6. Communication

Strong communication skills help critical thinkers articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Communication in the workplace is crucial for effective teamwork, leadership, and knowledge dissemination. Key aspects of communication in critical thinking include:

Clearly expressing complex ideas

Active listening and comprehension

Adapting communication styles to different audiences

Constructing and delivering persuasive arguments

Example: A manager effectively explains a new company policy to her team, addressing their concerns and ensuring everyone understands its implications.

7. Research

Critical thinkers with strong research skills gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources of information. This is particularly important in academic settings and in professional fields that require continuous learning. Effective research involves:

Identifying reliable and relevant sources of information

Evaluating the credibility and bias of sources

Synthesizing information from multiple sources

Recognizing gaps in existing knowledge

Example: A journalist verifies information from multiple credible sources before publishing an article on a controversial topic.

8. Decision-making

Effective decision making is the culmination of various critical thinking skills that allow an individual to draw logical conclusions and generalizations. It involves weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of action. Key aspects of decision-making include:

Defining clear criteria for evaluation

Gathering and analyzing relevant information

Considering short-term and long-term consequences

Managing uncertainty and risk

Balancing logic and intuition

Example: A homeowner weighs the costs, benefits, and long-term implications before deciding to invest in solar panels for their house.

7 steps to improve critical thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that you can build by following these seven steps. The seven steps to critical thinking help you ensure you’re approaching a problem from the right angle, considering every alternative, and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

First things first: When to use the 7 step critical thinking process

There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process. 

The seven-step critical thinking process is useful for complex decisions in areas you are less familiar with. Alternatively, the seven critical thinking steps can help you look at a problem you’re familiar with from a different angle, without any bias. 

If you need to make a less complex decision, consider another problem solving strategy instead. Decision matrices are a great way to identify the best option between different choices. Check out our article on 7 steps to creating a decision matrix .

1. Identify the problem or question

Before you put those critical thinking skills to work, you first need to identify the problem you’re solving. This step includes taking a look at the problem from a few different perspectives and asking questions like: 

What’s happening? 

Why is this happening? 

What assumptions am I making? 

At first glance, how do I think we can solve this problem? 

A big part of developing your critical thinking skills is learning how to come to unbiased conclusions. In order to do that, you first need to acknowledge the biases that you currently have. Does someone on your team think they know the answer? Are you making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true? Identifying these details helps you later on in the process. 

2. Gather relevant information

At this point, you likely have a general idea of the problem—but in order to come up with the best solution, you need to dig deeper. 

During the research process, collect information relating to the problem, including data, statistics, historical project information, team input, and more. Make sure you gather information from a variety of sources, especially if those sources go against your personal ideas about what the problem is or how to solve it.

Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision will be skewed. Remember that critical thinking is about helping you identify the objective best conclusion. You aren’t going with your gut—you’re doing research to find the best option

3. Analyze and evaluate data

Just as it’s important to gather a variety of information, it is also important to determine how relevant the different information sources are. After all, just because there is data doesn’t mean it’s relevant. 

Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what information is relevant and what information isn’t. Synthesizing all of this information and establishing significance helps you weigh different data sources and come to the best conclusion later on in the critical thinking process. 

To determine data relevance, ask yourself:

How reliable is this information? 

How significant is this information? 

Is this information outdated? Is it specialized in a specific field? 

4. Consider alternative points of view

One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and challenge the assumptions you’re making. 

We all have bias—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unconscious biases (also known as cognitive biases) often serve as mental shortcuts to simplify problem solving and aid decision making. But even when biases aren’t inherently bad, you must be aware of your biases in order to put them aside when necessary. 

Before coming to a solution, ask yourself:

Am I making any assumptions about this information? 

Are there additional variables I haven’t considered? 

Have I evaluated the information from every perspective? 

Are there any viewpoints I missed?

5. Draw logical conclusions

Finally, you’re ready to come to a conclusion. To identify the best solution, draw connections between causes and effects. Use the facts you’ve gathered to evaluate the most objective conclusion. 

Keep in mind that there may be more than one solution. Often, the problems you’re facing are complex and intricate. The critical thinking process doesn’t necessarily lead to a cut-and-dry solution—instead, the process helps you understand the different variables at play so you can make an informed decision. 

6. Develop and communication solutions

Communication is a key skill for critical thinkers. It isn’t enough to think for yourself—you also need to share your conclusion with other project stakeholders. If there are multiple solutions, present them all. There may be a case where you implement one solution, then test to see if it works before implementing another solution. 

This process of communicating and sharing ideas is key in promoting critical thinking within a team or organization. By encouraging open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, you create an environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills in others.

7. Reflect and learn from the process

The seven-step critical thinking process yields a result—and you then need to put that solution into place. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether or not it was effective. Did it solve the initial problem? What lessons—whether positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical thinking for next time? 

By engaging in this metacognitive reflective thinking process, you're essentially teaching critical thinking to yourself, refining your methodology with each iteration. This reflective practice is fundamental in developing a more robust and adaptable approach to problem-solving.

Depending on how your team shares information, consider documenting lessons learned in a central source of truth. That way, team members that are making similar or related decisions in the future can understand why you made the decision you made and what the outcome was.

Example of critical thinking in the workplace

Imagine you work in user experience design (UX). Your team is focused on pricing and packaging and ensuring customers have a clear understanding of the different services your company offers. Here’s how to apply the critical thinking process in the workplace in seven steps: 

Step 1: Start by identifying the problem

Your current pricing page isn’t performing as well as you want. You’ve heard from customers that your services aren’t clear, and that the page doesn’t answer the questions they have. This page is really important for your company, since it’s where your customers sign up for your service. You and your team have a few theories about why your current page isn’t performing well, but you decide to apply the critical thinking process to ensure you come to the best decision for the page. 

Gather information about how the problem started

Part of identifying the problem includes understanding how the problem started. The pricing and packaging page is important—so when your team initially designed the page, they certainly put a lot of thought into it. Before you begin researching how to improve the page, ask yourself: 

Why did you design the pricing page the way you did? 

Which stakeholders need to be involved in the decision making process? 

Where are users getting stuck on the page?

Are any features currently working?

Step 2: Then gather information and research

In addition to understanding the history of the pricing and packaging page, it’s important to understand what works well. Part of this research means taking a look at what your competitor’s pricing pages look like. 

Ask yourself: 

How have our competitors set up their pricing pages?

Are there any pricing page best practices? 

How does color, positioning, and animation impact navigation? 

Are there any standard page layouts customers expect to see? 

Step 3: Organize and analyze information

You’ve gathered all of the information you need—now you need to organize and analyze it. What trends, if any, are you noticing? Is there any particularly relevant or important information that you have to consider? 

Step 4: Consider alternative viewpoints to reduce bias

In the case of critical thinking, it’s important to address and set bias aside as much as possible. Ask yourself: 

Is there anything I’m missing? 

Have I connected with the right stakeholders? 

Are there any other viewpoints I should consider? 

Step 5: Determine the most logical solution for your team

You now have all of the information you need to design the best pricing page. Depending on the complexity of the design, you may want to design a few options to present to a small group of customers or A/B test on the live website.

Step 6: Communicate your solution to stakeholders

Critical thinking can help you in every element of your life, but in the workplace, you must also involve key project stakeholders . Stakeholders help you determine next steps, like whether you’ll A/B test the page first. Depending on the complexity of the issue, consider hosting a meeting or sharing a status report to get everyone on the same page. 

Step 7: Reflect on the results

No process is complete without evaluating the results. Once the new page has been live for some time, evaluate whether it did better than the previous page. What worked? What didn’t? This also helps you make better critical decisions later on.

Tools and techniques to improve critical thinking skills

As the importance of critical thinking continues to grow in academic and professional settings, numerous tools and resources have been developed to help individuals enhance their critical thinking skills. Here are some notable contributions from experts and institutions in the field:

Mind mapping for better analysis

Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps organize and structure information. It's particularly useful for synthesizing complex ideas and identifying connections between different concepts. The benefits of mind mapping include:

Enhancing creativity by encouraging non-linear thinking

Improving memory and retention of information

Facilitating brainstorming and idea generation

Providing a clear overview of complex topics

To create a mind map:

Start with a central idea or concept.

Branch out with related sub topics or ideas.

Use colors, symbols, and images to enhance visual appeal and memorability.

Draw connections between related ideas across different branches.

Mind mapping can be particularly effective in project planning , content creation, and studying complex subjects.

The Socratic Method for deeper understanding

The Socratic Method, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, involves asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. This technique is widely used in higher education to teach critical thinking. Key aspects of the Socratic Method include:

Asking open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection

Challenging assumptions and preconceived notions

Exploring the implications and consequences of ideas

Fostering intellectual curiosity and continuous inquiry

The Socratic Method can be applied in various settings:

In education, to encourage students to think deeply about subject matter

In business, it is important to challenge team members to consider multiple points of view.

In personal development, to examine one's own beliefs and decisions

Example: A high school teacher might use the Socratic Method to guide students through a complex ethical dilemma, asking questions like "What principles are at stake here?" and "How might this decision affect different stakeholders?"

SWOT analysis for comprehensive evaluation

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is a strategic planning tool that can be applied to critical thinking. It helps in evaluating situations from multiple angles, promoting a more thorough understanding of complex issues. The components of SWOT analysis are:

Strengths: internal positive attributes or assets

Weaknesses: internal negative attributes or limitations

Opportunities: External factors that could be beneficial

Threats: External factors that could be harmful

To conduct a SWOT analysis:

Clearly define the subject of analysis (e.g., a project, organization, or decision).

Brainstorm and list items for each category.

Analyze the interactions between different factors.

Use the analysis to inform strategy or decision-making.

Example: A startup might use SWOT analysis to evaluate its position before seeking investment, identifying its innovative technology as a strength, limited capital as a weakness, growing market demand as an opportunity, and established competitors as a threat.

Critical thinking resources

The Foundation for Critical Thinking : Based in California, this organization offers a wide range of resources, including books, articles, and workshops on critical thinking.

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking : This council provides guidelines and standards for critical thinking instruction and assessment.

University of Louisville : Their Critical Thinking Initiative offers various resources and tools for developing critical thinking skills.

The New York Times Learning Network provides lesson plans and activities to help develop critical thinking skills through current events and news analysis.

Critical thinking frameworks and tools

Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework : Developed by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, this framework provides a comprehensive approach to developing critical thinking skills.

Bloom's Taxonomy : While not exclusively for critical thinking, this classification system is widely used in education to promote higher-order thinking skills.

The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) : This assessment tool measures the disposition to engage in problems and make decisions using critical thinking.

The Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test : Developed by Robert Ennis, this test assesses a person's ability to appraise an argument and to formulate a written argument.

By incorporating these tools and techniques into regular practice, individuals can significantly enhance their critical thinking capabilities, leading to more effective problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance.

Critically successful 

Critical thinking takes time to build, but with effort and patience you can apply an unbiased, analytical mind to any situation. Critical thinking makes up one of many soft skills that makes you an effective team member, manager, and worker. If you’re looking to hone your skills further, read our article on the 25 project management skills you need to succeed .

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Critical thinking is the one skillset you can't afford not to master

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What is critical thinking?

5 characteristics of critical thinking, what are critical thinking skills, and why are they important, 6 key critical thinking skills, critical thinking example in real-life, 13 ways to start thinking critically.

Whether you’re aiming to improve your performance at work or simply trying to live a more fulfilling life , you’ll need a variety of hard and soft skills to move the needle. Some skills come naturally to some people, while others need to develop them actively.

One of these skills is critical thinking. But critical thinking itself is made up of several types of skills that contribute to solving problems more effectively.

Let’s explore the different types of critical thinking skills and how you can start improving them to level up your career.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts objectively and form a judgment. It is a form of emotional intelligence .

Someone with critical thinking skills can think clearly and rationally when the situation demands it. It allows them to perform problem-solving and decision-making more effectively. 

As a result, you can look further than what you see at face value. You’re able to analyze what you see from a situation and gain some insight that goes further than what’s obvious to anyone from the outside.

Critical thinking also requires being able to understand the logical connection between two or more ideas or concepts. For example, a team working on a company’s pricing strategy needs to think critically about several concepts. 

Both the marketing and sales teams must work together. They need to analyze how to maximize sales. But they need to do so while also meeting profit goals. It’s important to understand the logical connection between sales strategy and marketing logistics. It’s the only way to get a good outcome.

Critical thinking is different from creative thinking . Creative thinking is the ability to generate brand new, innovative ideas. On the other hand, critical thinking requires you to carefully and logically analyze what information is given to you. Both are important to maximize results in any given situation.

What defines critical thinking? How does it affect the decision-making process? Here are five characteristics that make up the ability to think critically.

1. Dispositions

Critical thinkers have specific traits that allow them to think the way they do. Some people are predisposed to these traits, while others need to develop them actively.

Some of these dispositions include:

• Open-mindedness
• Respecting evidence and reasoning
• Being able to consider different perspectives and points of view: in other words, having cognitive flexibility
• Not being stuck in one position
• Clarity and precision

2. Argument

Good critical thinkers need to make solid arguments. 

An argument is making a statement aided by supporting evidence. It’s important to use well thought-out arguments when you’re in a constructive conflict . When analyzing a situation critically, you’ll need to make several arguments in your own mind to come to a judgment. 

3. Reasoning

In addition to arguments, critical thinking also requires inferring conclusions. From the facts and arguments presented to you, you need to use reasoning skills to come to a logical conclusion. 

This conclusion will determine the best course of action to take.

4. Criteria

Critical thinking is sometimes a matter of discerning truth from fiction. Not all facts presented to you may have the same level of truth. Certain conditions need to be met for something to be considered believable, and a critical thinker needs to be able to understand that.

5. Metacognition

Metacognition is the ability to think about your own thinking. Critical thinkers should be able to analyze their thoughts so that they can judge whether or not they’ve thought everything through. This helps them come up with better hypotheses.

The critical thinking skills definition is: soft skills that help you in the critical thinking process. Developing these skills can improve your ability to think critically.

Critical thinking skills are considered one of many durable skills in the workplace . Many of these are soft skills that are also useful in other situations.

According to research by America Succeeds, critical thinking is in the top five most requested durable skills in job postings. Those top five durable skills get requested 2.6x more often than the top five hard skills. This goes to show that soft skills like critical thinking skills are in demand in the workplace.

Critical thinking skills are important for several reasons. These include helping you work independently and solve problems . Not all positions require ongoing critical thinking. But, those skills definitely matter to anyone who wants to uplevel their career. And even the most easygoing positions require at least some level of critical thinking skills.

For example, working as an accountant can be straightforward in most cases. But it may require critical thinking skills. For instance, what if certain expenses aren’t easily distributed in simple categories? Without critical thinking skills, an accountant will struggle to work independently and solve problems on their own.

Critical thinking abilities also matter in everyday life. Having a foundation for critical thinking can help you analyze several possible solutions for problems that pop up in the home. It can also help you:

• Analyze different viewpoints
• Come up with the best solution for complex problems
• Become a better learner

The key critical thinking skills are identifying biases, inference, research, identification, curiosity, and judging relevance.

Let’s explore these six critical thinking skills you should learn and why they’re so important to the critical thinking process.

1. Identifying biases

This critical thinking skill is necessary for metacognition, which is the fifth characteristic of critical thinking. It involves knowing when others have a cognitive bias and when you have one yourself.

Biases can influence how someone understands the facts presented to them. But when you’re aware of those biases, you can question yourself on those biases and consider other points of view.

Identifying biases is especially important for people who make hiring decisions. That’s because biases against groups of minorities can lead to inequalities in the workplace when not identified. 

For example, imagine a hiring manager comparing two resumes. Their gut feeling could guide them to discount one of the resumes due to a bias against the opposite gender. But let’s say this hiring manager realizes they have this bias. They can then question themselves on whether or not this bias is influencing their judgment. 

2. Inference

Inference is the ability to draw conclusions based on the information you have. Without inference, it can be difficult to take action once you’ve analyzed the facts presented to you. Processing information is key to coming up with a reasoned judgment.

For example, let’s go back to the accountant struggling to assign the correct category to a business expense. They can analyze other similar situations and infer the most logical category based on that information.

3. Research

Before you analyze facts and infer a conclusion, you need to find out what those facts are. Researching skills allow you to discover facts and figures to make an argument.

Not all situations will have the required information available to you. Researching skills are necessary to dig into a situation and gather the information you need to think critically.

Some situations don’t require further research. For example, a first responder who arrives on the scene of an automobile accident won’t perform further research. They’ll have to analyze what they see in front of them and decide which injuries are the most urgent to care for. 

On the other hand, someone performing a market analysis will need to research competitors and gather information before coming up with an opinion. 

4. Identification

Identification is different from inference and research. It involves being able to identify a problem but also what’s influencing that problem.

In short, identification is necessary for someone to realize that they need to think critically about something. Without proper identification skills, it will be difficult for someone to know when it’s time to analyze a situation. 

For example, let’s say you’re entering numbers in a spreadsheet. The numbers aren’t coming out as they usually do. Without identification skills, you could easily keep going without realizing there’s an issue. But when you identify what’s going on, you can see that something is broken in the spreadsheet’s formula.

Only once you identify the fact that the formula is broken can you start analyzing what’s going on to solve the issue.

5. Curiosity

Don’t be afraid to question everything and explore what you’re curious about. That’s because intellectual curiosity is a valuable skill, especially when it comes to critical thinking.

One way to practice curiosity is to adopt a beginner’s mindset . When you come into every situation with the mindset of a beginner, you’re able to keep an open mind. You’ll be able to perceive things you may not have noticed when keeping your mind closed.

6. Judging relevance

Not all information is equally pertinent. In order to make a critical judgment, it’s important to be able to judge the relevance of the information you have.

Take, for instance, basic online researching skills. You have access to a plethora of information on virtually every topic imaginable. But performing online research requires you to constantly judge the relevance of what you see. 

Without judging relevance, you’d spend too much time on details that don’t matter as much for the final desired outcome. But when you’re able to discern what’s most pertinent, you can give that information more weight as you’re thinking critically.

So what would critical thinking skills look like in a real-life situation?

Let’s imagine you’re working in software quality assurance (QA) as a team lead. But every time your team needs to enter bug regression, everyone gets bottlenecked because you must manually populate the spreadsheet used for the regression. While you do this task, your team cannot be productive without you.

This process happens once a week and easily wastes half an hour for each team member.

First, you must identify what’s going on. The team gets bottlenecked because only you, as the team lead, can access the information required to fill in the regression spreadsheet.

Next, you can research information. You can inquire to higher-ups about the reason why only you have access to this information. You can also speak to other teams about what potential solutions they’ve come up with to solve this problem.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to analyze the information and judge relevance. Some teams have solutions that don’t apply to you, so that information isn’t relevant anymore. 

Figure out if there are any personal biases before you analyze your information. 

For example, it’s possible that you don’t get along with one of the other team leads. As a result, you could discount the information they’ve given you. But by identifying this bias, you can look past your personal opinion of this person and see how valuable their solution is.

Based on what you’ve analyzed, it’s time to brainstorm and come up with a solution. You realize that creating a simple, automated script will save your team’s time. And it will do so without consuming too many resources from the engineering department.

Next, present your solution to your manager. Explain how you came to this conclusion. 

Now, let’s say your spreadsheet automation solution is approved. It’s important to go back and analyze what happens after implementing the solution. But only do this once the spreadsheet has been in place for long enough to gather plenty of information. 

Here’s an example. You could realize that the solution did solve the bottleneck. But, the script also slows down the spreadsheet and makes it difficult to work with. This would require you to go back to the drawing board and start the process all over again.

Want to start improving your own critical thinking skill sets? Here’s how you can improve critical thinking skills using 13 techniques:

• Play games that require critical thinking skills
• Ask more questions, even basic ones
• Question your assumptions
• Develop your technical skills so that you can identify problems more easily
• Find ways to solve more problems (at work and at home)
• Become aware of your mental processes, like the availability heuristic
• Think for yourself: don’t adopt other people’s opinions without questioning them first
• Seek out diversity of thought
• Start developing foresight
• Try active listening
• Weigh the consequences of different actions before you act
• Seek a mentor who can help you develop these skills
• Get professional coaching

How to improve your critical thinking skills 

Critical thinking skills aren’t always easy to develop. But it’s much easier to start thinking critically when you have someone to work with. Try a custom BetterUp demo to see how a coach can help you develop your critical thinking skills today.

Understand Yourself Better:

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Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

How to develop critical thinking skills

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7 Ways to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

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When I was in 7th grade, my U.S. history teacher gave my class the following advice:

Your teachers in high school won’t expect you to remember every little fact about U.S. history. They can fill in the details you’ve forgotten. What they will expect, though, is for you to be able to think ; to know how to make connections between ideas and evaluate information critically.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but my teacher was giving a concise summary of critical thinking. My high school teachers gave similar speeches when describing what would be expected of us in college: it’s not about the facts you know, but rather about your ability to evaluate them.

And now that I’m in college, my professors often mention that the ability to think through and solve difficult problems matters more in the “real world” than specific content.

Despite hearing so much about critical thinking all these years, I realized that I still couldn’t give a concrete definition of it, and I certainly couldn’t explain how to do it. It seemed like something that my teachers just expected us to pick up in the course of our studies. While I venture that a lot of us did learn it, I prefer to approach learning deliberately, and so I decided to investigate critical thinking for myself.

What is it, how do we do it, why is it important, and how can we get better at it? This post is my attempt to answer those questions.

In addition to answering these questions, I’ll also offer seven ways that you can start thinking more critically today, both in and outside of class.

What Is Critical Thinking?

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” – The Foundation for Critical Thinking

The above definition from the Foundation for Critical Thinking website  is pretty wordy, but critical thinking, in essence, is not that complex.

Critical thinking is just deliberately and systematically processing information so that you can make better decisions and generally understand things better. The above definition includes so many words because critical thinking requires you to apply diverse intellectual tools to diverse information.

Ways to critically think about information include:

• Conceptualizing
• Synthesizing

That information can come from sources such as:

• Observation
• Communication

And all this is meant to guide:

You can also define it this way:

Critical thinking is the opposite of regular, everyday thinking. 

Moment to moment, most thinking happens automatically. When you think critically, you  deliberately  employ any of the above intellectual tools to reach more accurate conclusions than your brain automatically would (more on this in a bit).

This is what critical thinking is. But so what?

Why Does Critical Thinking Matter?

Most of our everyday thinking is uncritical.

If you think about it, this makes sense. If we had to think deliberately about every single action (such as breathing, for instance), we wouldn’t have any cognitive energy left for the important stuff like D&D. It’s good that much of our thinking is automatic.

We can run into problems, though, when we let our automatic mental processes govern important decisions. Without critical thinking, it’s easy for people to manipulate us and for all sorts of catastrophes to result. Anywhere that some form of fundamentalism led to tragedy (the Holocaust is a textbook example), critical thinking was sorely lacking.

Even day to day, it’s easy to get caught in pointless arguments or say stupid things just because you failed to stop and think deliberately.

But you’re reading College Info Geek, so I’m sure you’re interested to know why critical thinking matters in college.

Here’s why:

According to Andrew Roberts, author of The Thinking Student’s Guide to College , c ritical thinking matters in college because students often adopt the wrong attitude to thinking about difficult questions. These attitudes include:

Ignorant Certainty

Ignorant certainty is the belief that there are definite, correct answers to all questions–all you have to do is find the right source (102). It’s understandable that a lot of students come into college thinking this way–it’s enough to get you through most of your high school coursework.

In college and in life, however, the answers to most meaningful questions are rarely straightforward. To get anywhere in college classes (especially upper-level ones), you have to think critically about the material.

Naive Relativism

Naive relativism is the belief that there is no truth and all arguments are equal (102-103). According to Roberts, this is often a view that students adopt once they learn the error of ignorant certainty.

While it’s certainly a more “critical” approach than ignorant certainty, naive relativism is still inadequate since it misses the whole point of critical thinking: arriving at a more complete, “less wrong” answer.

Part of thinking critically is evaluating the validity of arguments (yours and others’). Therefore, to think critically you must accept that some arguments are better (and that some are just plain awful).

Critical thinking also matters in college because:

• It allows you to form your own opinions and engage with material beyond a superficial level. This is essential to crafting a great essay  and having an intelligent discussion with your professors or classmates. Regurgitating what the textbook says won’t get you far.
• It allows you to craft worthy arguments and back them up. If you plan to go on to graduate school or pursue a PhD., original, critical thought is crucial
• It helps you evaluate your own work. This leads to better grades (who doesn’t want those?) and better habits of mind.

Doing college level work without critical is a lot like walking blindfolded: you’ll get  somewhere , but it’s unlikely to be the place you desire.

The value of critical thinking doesn’t stop with college, however. Once you get out into the real world, critical thinking matters even more. This is because:

• It allows you to continue to develop intellectually after you graduate. Progress shouldn’t stop after graduation –you should keep learning as much as you can. When you encounter new information, knowing how to think critically will help you evaluate and use it.
• It helps you make hard decisions. I’ve written before about how defining your values  helps you make better decisions. Equally important in the decision-making process is the ability to think critically. Critical thinking allows you compare the pros and cons of your available options, showing that you have more options than you might imagine .
• People can and will manipulate you . At least, they will if you take everything at face value and allow others to think for you. Just look at ads for the latest fad diet or “miracle” drug–these rely on ignorance and false hope to get people to buy something that is at best useless and at worst harmful. When you evaluate information critically (especially information meant to sell something), you can avoid falling prey to unethical companies and people.
• It makes you more employable (and better paid). The best employees not only know how to solve existing problems–they also know how to come up with solutions to problems no one ever imagined. To get a great job after graduating , you need to be one of those employees, and critical thinking is the key ingredient to solving difficult, novel problems.

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7 Ways to Think More Critically

Now we come to the part that I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for: how the heck do we get better at critical thinking?  Below, you’ll find seven ways to get started.

1. Ask Basic Questions

“The world is complicated. But does every problem require a complicated solution?” – Stephen J. Dubner

Sometimes an explanation becomes so complex that the original question get lost. To avoid this, continually go back to the basic questions you asked when you set out to solve the problem.

Here are a few key basic question you can ask when approaching any problem:

• What do you already know?
• How do you know that?
• What are you trying to prove, disprove, demonstrated, critique, etc.?
• What are you overlooking?

Some of the most breathtaking solutions to problems are astounding not because of their complexity, but because of their elegant simplicity.  Seek the simple solution  first.

2. Question Basic Assumptions

“When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.”

The above saying holds true when you’re thinking through a problem. it’s quite easy to make an ass of yourself simply by failing to question your basic assumptions.

Some of the greatest innovators in human history were those who simply looked up for a moment and wondered if one of everyone’s general assumptions was wrong. From Newton to Einstein to Yitang Zhang , questioning assumptions is where innovation happens.

You don’t even have to be an aspiring Einstein to benefit from questioning your assumptions. That trip you’ve wanted to take? That hobby you’ve wanted to try? That internship you’ve wanted to get? That attractive person in your World Civilizations class you’ve wanted to talk to?

All these things can be a reality if you just question your assumptions and critically evaluate your beliefs about what’s prudent, appropriate, or possible.

If you’re looking for some help with this process, then check out Oblique Strategies . It’s a tool that musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt created to aid creative problem solving . Some of the “cards” are specific to music, but most work for any time you’re stuck on a problem.

3. Be Aware of Your Mental Processes

Human thought is amazing, but the speed and automation with which it happens can be a disadvantage when we’re trying to think critically. Our brains naturally use heuristics (mental shortcuts) to explain what’s happening around us.

This was beneficial to humans when we were hunting large game and fighting off wild animals, but it can be disastrous when we’re trying to decide who to vote for.

A critical thinker is aware of their cognitive biases   and personal prejudices and how they influence seemingly “objective” decisions and solutions.

All of us have biases in our thinking. Becoming aware of them is what makes critical thinking possible.

4. Try Reversing Things

A great way to get “unstuck” on a hard problem is to try reversing things. It may seem obvious that X causes Y, but what if Y caused X?

The “chicken and egg problem” a classic example of this. At first, it seems obvious that the chicken had to come first. The chicken lays the egg, after all. But then you quickly realize that the chicken had to come from somewhere, and since chickens come from eggs, the egg must have come first.  Or did it?

Even if it turns out that the reverse  isn’t  true, considering it can set you on the path to finding a solution.

5. Evaluate the Existing Evidence

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” – Isaac Newton

When you’re trying to solve a problem, it’s always helpful to look at other work that has been done in the same area. There’s no reason to start solving a problem from scratch when someone has already laid the groundwork.

It’s important, however, to evaluate this information critically, or else you can easily reach the wrong conclusion. Ask the following questions of any evidence you encounter:

• Who gathered this evidence?
• How did they gather it?

Take, for example, a study showing the health benefits of a sugary cereal. On paper, the study sounds pretty convincing. That is, until you learn that a sugary cereal company funded it.

You can’t automatically assume that this invalidates the study’s results, but you should certainly question them when a conflict of interests is so apparent.

6. Remember to Think for Yourself

Don’t get so bogged down in research and reading that you forget to think for yourself –sometimes this can be your most powerful tool.

Writing about Einstein’s paper “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies” (the paper that contained the famous equation  E=mc 2 ), C.P. Snow observed that “it was as if Einstein ‘had reached the conclusions by pure thought, unaided, without listening to the opinions of others. To a surprisingly large extent, that is precisely what he had done'”(121).

Don’t be overconfident, but recognize that thinking for yourself is essential to answering tough questions. I find this to be true when writing essays–it’s so easy to get lost in other people’s work that I forget to have my own thoughts. Don’t make this mistake.

For more on the importance of thinking for yourself, check out our article on mental laziness .

7. Understand That No One Thinks Critically 100% of the Time

“Critical thinking of any kind is never universal in any individual; everyone is subject to episodes of undisciplined or irrational thought.” – Michael Scriven and Richard Paul

You can’t think critically all the time, and that’s okay. Critical thinking is a tool that you should deploy when you need to make important decisions or solve difficult problems, but you don’t need to think critically about everything.

And even in important matters, you will experience lapses in your reasoning. What matters is that you recognize these lapses and try to avoid them in the future.

Even Isaac Newton, genius that he was, believed that alchemy was a legitimate pursuit .

As I hope you now see, learning to think critically will benefit you both in the classroom and beyond. I hope this post has given you some ideas about how you can think more critically in your own life. Remember: learning to think critically is a lifelong journey, and there’s always more to learn.

For a look at critical thinking principles in action, check out our guide to strategic thinking .

• http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
• http://calnewport.com/blog/2015/11/25/the-feynman-notebook-method/
• The Thinking Student’s Guide to College by Andrew Roberts (the source of several of the seven ways to think more critically)
• What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain (the source of several of the seven ways to think more critically)
• A Short History of Nearly Everything   by Bill Bryson (the source for the C.P. Snow quote about Einstein and the information about Isaac Newton).

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The Best Ways to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

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Developing the ability to think critically is essential for individuals to manage their daily affairs and make informed choices effectively. Whether it involves assessing an argument, examining a situation, or resolving a problem, critical thinking empowers us to examine evidence, evaluate different viewpoints, and arrive at a logical decision. It's important to note that critical thinking is not an inherent ability that some possess while others don't; instead, it is a learned skill that can be improved through practice and self-reflection.

The ability to think critically is increasingly essential in today's complex and rapidly changing world, where we are bombarded with information from various sources, many of which may be unreliable or biased . Developing strong critical thinking skills is more important than ever in this context.

Below, we will explore some of the best ways to improve your necessary thinking skills to become a more informed and effective thinker in all areas of your life.

1. Engage In Plenty of Reading

Developing critical thinking skills at a young age can have lifelong benefits. In particular, speed reading for kids can be a valuable tool for improving critical thinking skills. By learning how to read quickly and efficiently, children can absorb more information in less time, making more informed decisions and arriving at well-reasoned conclusions.

Furthermore, developing speed learning enhances cognitive abilities, including critical thinking skills. People who learn faster can better process and think critically about complex information. They also tend to have better working memory and executive function, which are essential for problem-solving and decision-making .

2. Question Everything

Improving your critical thinking skills can be achieved by adopting a questioning attitude. It's essential to take only some of what you hear or read for granted but to delve deeper into the information and evaluate it critically. This can involve asking yourself questions such as: who is the source of information? What could be their motives? What evidence do they have to back up their claims? Doing so can give you a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and enhance your thinking ability.

With this said, developing strong research skills is a key component of critical thinking. To make informed decisions and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions, it is crucial to know how to find and evaluate sources of information, especially on complex or controversial topics .

3. Analyze Arguments

Another way to improve your critical thinking skills is to analyze arguments. Identify the main claim, conclusion, supporting reasons, or evidence. Look for logical fallacies, such as ad hominem attacks or appeals to emotion, that weaken an argument. Consider alternative viewpoints and counterarguments. This will help you to develop your arguments and make more informed decisions.

4. Practice Reflection

Another crucial method to enhance your critical thinking abilities is self-reflection. It's important to reflect on your thought processes and decision-making methods. This involves evaluating your biases, assumptions, and preconceptions. By reflecting on what you could have done differently and what you learned from the experience, you can gain greater awareness of your thinking patterns and improve your decision-making skills. Regular self-reflection can help you develop a more objective and analytical mindset, leading to better critical thinking skills overall.

Furthermore, challenging your beliefs is a powerful way to improve your critical thinking skills. This means considering alternative viewpoints, even if they conflict with your own. It is essential to identify any biases or assumptions you may have and be open to changing your mind if the evidence warrants it.

5. Seek Out Different Perspectives

When surrounded by those who hold similar beliefs, it’s easy to become trapped in our echo chambers. You must actively seek out alternative viewpoints to sharpen your critical thinking abilities. Pay attention to those with various perspectives and life experiences. Take into account their viewpoints and analyze their points of contention. You'll have a deeper view of the world. As a result, one that is informed and nuanced.

6. Learn to Ask Good Questions

Asking good questions is an essential part of critical thinking. Learn to ask open-ended questions that encourage discussion and exploration. Avoid closed-ended questions that require a yes or no answer. Good questions help to clarify your thinking and to challenge the thinking of others.

This can also be done by being an active listener. Active listening is another essential skill for critical thinking. Focusing on what the speaker is saying without interruption or making assumptions is crucial to becoming a better listener. Clarify the speaker's meaning by asking questions and identifying any underlying assumptions or biases they may have.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

The ability to critically analyze, assess, and comprehend information is crucial. Critical thinking is vital in many facets of life for several reasons; below are some of the reasons why:

1. Making Informed and Reasoned Decisions

Making well-informed decisions, whether for your personal or professional life, requires critical thinking. People can more fully comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of many points of view and make wise decisions by challenging presumptions, assessing data, and dissecting arguments.

Critical thinking is particularly important in today's information-rich world, where individuals are constantly bombarded with information from various sources, both reliable and unreliable. This skill allows individuals to sift through this information and arrive at well-informed decisions based on evidence and reason.

2. Identifying and Solving Problems

Problem-solving also requires the use of critical thinking. People can find the origins of problems and create better solutions by dissecting complex situations into their component elements and looking at them from several perspectives. This ability is instrumental in science, engineering, and business, where issues are frequently complex and call for original thinking to solve them. Individuals can create original, valuable solutions through critical thinking to assist them in achieving their objectives.

3. Communicating and Collaborating with Others

Effective communication and teamwork are crucial in many facets of life in both personal and professional settings. Critical thinking empowers people to work with others and better communicate their ideas by enabling them to clarify their perspectives effectively and participate in fruitful discussions.

By evaluating evidence and arguments, individuals can also engage in more informed and constructive discussions with those with different perspectives, leading to more productive and successful collaborations.

4. Navigating the Complexities of Modern Life

Critical thinking is becoming increasingly crucial in today's world, which is changing quickly and presents people with new challenges and opportunities. People can better traverse the complexity of modern life and make decisions that will benefit themselves and their communities by effectively assessing, evaluating, and filtering information. People who are more adaptable and open to new ideas and viewpoints are better able to succeed in various contexts and scenarios.

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As the world undergoes constant transformations, it becomes increasingly important to possess the skills to analyze situations critically and adjust accordingly. By improving our capacity for critical thinking, we can become more self-assured, knowledgeable, and empowered individuals who can successfully navigate the intricacies of the world. Therefore, we must consistently push ourselves to question everything, think critically, and make informed decisions based on evidence and logical thinking.

About the Author

Meet Sarah Johnson, a professional self-development coach. She has been helping people improve and achieve their life goals for 10 years. She shares her expertise through webinars and blogs. When she's not busy, Sarah enjoys hiking, exploring new cities, and spending time with her two cats.

Continue to: Critical Thinking and Fake News Critical Reading and Reading Strategy

See also: The Basic Elements of Critical Thinking: Building Skills for Better Decision-Making The Psychology of Decision-Making: Understanding Cognitive Biases That Affect Choices Empowering Seniors: Must-Have Skills for Detecting Fake News

Why Critical Thinking Is Important (& How to Improve It)

Last updated May 1, 2023. Edited and medically reviewed by Patrick Alban, DC . Written by Deane Alban .

By improving the quality of your thoughts and your decisions, better critical thinking skills can bring about a big positive change in your life. Learn how.

The quality of your life largely depends on the quality of the decisions you make.

Amazingly, the average person makes roughly 35,000 conscious decisions every day! 

Imagine how much better your life would be if there were a way to make better decisions, day in and day out?

Well, there is and you do it by boosting a skill called critical thinking .

Learning to master critical thinking can have a profoundly positive impact on nearly every aspect of your life.

What Exactly Is Critical Thinking?

The first documented account of critical thinking is the teachings of Socrates as recorded by Plato. 

Over time, the definition of critical thinking has evolved.

Most definitions of critical thinking are fairly complex and best understood by philosophy majors or psychologists.

For example, the Foundation for Critical Thinking , a nonprofit think tank, offers this definition:

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”

If that makes your head spin, here are some definitions that you may relate to more easily.

Critical thinking is “reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.”

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Or, a catchy way of defining critical thinking is “deciding what’s true and what you should do.”

But my favorite uber-simple definition is that critical thinking is simply “thinking about thinking.”

6 Major Benefits of Good Critical Thinking Skills

Whether or not you think critically can make the difference between success and failure in just about every area of your life.

Our human brains are imperfect and prone to irrationality, distortions, prejudices, and cognitive biases .

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of irrational thinking.

While the number of cognitive biases varies depending on the source, Wikipedia, for example, lists nearly 200 of them ! 

Some of the most well-known cognitive biases include:

• catastrophic thinking
• confirmation bias
• fear of missing out (FOMO)

Critical thinking will help you move past the limitations of irrational thinking.

Here are some of the most important ways critical thinking can impact your life.

1. Critical Thinking Is a Key to Career Success

There are many professions where critical thinking is an absolute must.

Lawyers, analysts, accountants, doctors, engineers, reporters, and scientists of all kinds must apply critical thinking frequently.

But critical thinking is a skill set that is becoming increasingly valuable in a growing number of professions.

Critical thinking can help you in any profession where you must:

• analyze information
• systematically solve problems
• generate innovative solutions
• plan strategically
• think creatively
• present your work or ideas to others in a way that can be readily understood

And, as we enter the fourth industrial revolution , critical thinking has become one of the most sought-after skills.

According to the World Economic Forum , critical thinking and complex problem-solving are the two top in-demand skills that employers look for. 

Critical thinking is considered a soft or enterprise skill — a core attribute required to succeed in the workplace . 

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• Helps increase resilience to stress to avoid mental burnout
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According to The University of Arizona, other soft skills include : 

• interpersonal skills
• communication skills
• digital literacy

Critical thinking can help you develop the rest of these soft skills.

Developing your critical thinking can help you land a job since many employers will ask you interview questions or even give you a test to determine how well you can think critically.

It can also help you continually succeed in your career, since being a critical thinker is a powerful predictor of long-term success.

2. Critical Thinkers Make Better Decisions

Every day you make thousands of decisions.

Most of them are made by your subconscious , are not very important, and don’t require much thought, such as what to wear or what to have for lunch. 

But the most important decisions you make can be hard and require a lot of thought, such as when or if you should change jobs, relocate to a new city, buy a house, get married, or have kids.

At work, you may have to make decisions that can alter the course of your career or the lives of others.

Critical thinking helps you cope with everyday problems as they arise.

It promotes independent thinking and strengthens your inner “BS detector.”

It helps you make sense of the glut of data and information available, making you a smarter consumer who is less likely to fall for advertising hype, peer pressure, or scams.

3. Critical Thinking Can Make You Happier

Knowing and understanding yourself is an underappreciated path to happiness. 

We’ve already shown how your quality of life largely depends on the quality of your decisions, but equally as important is the quality of your thoughts.

Critical thinking is an excellent tool to help you better understand yourself and to learn to master your thoughts.

You can use critical thinking to free yourself from cognitive biases, negative thinking , and limiting beliefs that are holding you back in any area of your life.

Critical thinking can help you assess your strengths and weaknesses so that you know what you have to offer others and where you could use improvement.

Critical thinking will enable you to better express your thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.

Better communication helps others to understand you better, resulting in less frustration for both of you.

Critical thinking fosters creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that can be applied to any area of your life.

It gives you a process you can rely on, making decisions less stressful.

4. Critical Thinking Ensures That Your Opinions Are Well-Informed

We have access to more information than ever before .

Astoundingly, more data has been created in the past two years than in the entire previous history of mankind. 

Critical thinking can help you sort through the noise.

American politician, sociologist, and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan once remarked , “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” 

Critical thinking ensures your opinions are well-informed and based on the best available facts.

You’ll get a boost in confidence when you see that those around you trust your well-considered opinions.

5. Critical Thinking Improves Relationships

You might be concerned that critical thinking will turn you into a Spock-like character who is not very good at relationships.

But, in fact, the opposite is true.

Employing critical thinking makes you more open-minded and better able to understand others’ points of view.

Critical thinkers are more empathetic and in a better position to get along with different kinds of people.

Critical thinking keeps you from jumping to conclusions.

You can be counted on to be the voice of reason when arguments get heated.

You’ll be better able to detect when others:

• are being disingenuous
• don’t have your best interests at heart
• try to take advantage of or manipulate you

6. Critical Thinking Makes You a Better, More Informed Citizen

“An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.”

This quote has been incorrectly attributed to Thomas Jefferson , but regardless of the source, these words of wisdom are more relevant than ever. 

Critical thinkers are able to see both sides of any issue and are more likely to generate bipartisan solutions.

They are less likely to be swayed by propaganda or get swept up in mass hysteria.

They are in a better position to spot fake news when they see it.

5 Steps to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Some people already have well-developed critical thinking skills.

These people are analytical, inquisitive, and open to new ideas.

And, even though they are confident in their own opinions, they seek the truth, even if it proves their existing ideas to be wrong.

They are able to connect the dots between ideas and detect inconsistencies in others’ thinking.

But regardless of the state of your critical thinking skills today, it’s a skill set you can develop.

While there are many techniques for thinking rationally, here’s a classic 5-step critical thinking process . 

How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Clearly define your question or problem.

This step is so important that Albert Einstein famously quipped:

“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”

Gather Information to Help You Weigh the Options

Consider only the most useful and reliable information from the most reputable sources.

Disregard the rest.

Apply the Information and Ask Critical Questions

Scrutinize all information carefully with a skeptic’s eye.

Not sure what questions to ask?

You can’t go wrong starting with the “5 Ws” that any good investigator asks: Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Then finish by asking “How?”

You’ll find more thought-provoking questions on this Critical Thinking Skills Cheatsheet .

Consider the Implications

Look for potential unintended consequences.

Do a thought experiment about how your solution could play out in both the short term and the long run.

Explore the Full Spectrum of Viewpoints

Examine why others are drawn to differing points of view.

This will help you objectively evaluate your own viewpoint.

You may find critical thinkers who take an opposing view and this can help you find gaps in your own logic.

Watch the Video

This TED-Ed video on YouTube elaborates on the five steps to improve your critical thinking.

Recommended: Upgrading brain health is key to making your brain work better.

• Improve your mental clarity and focus.
• Boost your memory and your ability to learn.
• Increase your capacity to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.

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How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills in 15 Steps

We live in an exhilarating business world filled with complex problems that demand top-notch solutions. As business owners, we’re the quarterbacks on the field, expected to navigate our teams through this minefield with agility and precision. What’s the secret weapon that makes this possible? Critical thinking.

Our ability to analyze situations, understand different perspectives and make informed, thoughtful decisions sets the stage for success . But, let’s face it – not all of us are born philosophers. The good news is that, like any other skill, critical thinking can be honed and improved with practice.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your game and become a more effective leader, let’s dive into these 15 actionable steps to becoming a better critical thinker in 2023 and beyond.

What is Critical Thinking?

Before we jump into the ‘how’, let’s first understand the ‘what’. Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate a situation or problem to form a judgment. When defining critical thinking, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about finding answers, but asking the right questions.

It’s about assessing the validity of a claim or an argument, recognizing biases, and examining the evidence to reach a logical conclusion. In the business world, critical thinking can help you to make tough decisions, solve complex problems, and navigate uncertainties. It’s the lighthouse in the fog of challenges that guides you to effective decision-making.

What Are the Main Characteristics of a Critical Thinker?

A critical thinker doesn’t just embody the definition of critical thinking; they also exhibit a set of soft skills that allow this thought process to thrive. These qualities enable them to dissect complex problems, analyze information objectively, and make reasoned judgements that benefit their business. Let’s delve into the defining characteristics of a critical thinker.

The capacity for reasoning is one of the most important critical thinking skills. Reasoning is about taking the information at hand, breaking it down, and making sense of it. It’s the ability to connect the dots, discern patterns, and see the bigger picture.

A critical thinker uses both inductive and deductive reasoning to form logical arguments. Inductive reasoning is about making broad generalizations from specific observations, while deductive reasoning starts with a general statement and seeks to prove it true through specific observations.

As a business owner, your reasoning skills help you make strategic decisions and solve problems effectively. Whether you’re interpreting financial data, strategizing a marketing campaign, or navigating a difficult negotiation, reasoning is your beacon. It’s about pulling together the threads of information and weaving them into a coherent, logical fabric that guides your decisions.

Relevant Argumentation

Relevant argumentation is also one of the key critical thinking skills. A strong argument is one built around relevance – linking each of your points directly back to your core thesis. This skill is about not just making an argument but making it impactful and persuasive. It’s about filtering out the noise and focusing on the points that matter.

In the business context, whether you’re advocating a new strategy, negotiating a deal, or making a sales pitch, relevant argumentation is key. It helps you drive your point home clearly and convincingly, ensuring your audience understands your perspective and sees the value in it.

Systematic Way to Problem-Solving

One of the top critical thinking skills involves adopting a systematic approach to problem-solving. It’s about breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and tackling them logically and efficiently. A systematic approach begins with defining the problem clearly. It’s about understanding the ‘what’, ‘why’, and ‘how’ of the situation.

Next, you formulate possible solutions or strategies based on the information at hand. This involves brainstorming, researching, and consulting with colleagues or experts. Once you have a list of potential solutions, evaluate them based on their viability, cost, and impact. This step requires careful analysis and forward thinking. After you’ve selected the best solution, it’s time to implement it and monitor the results.

Dispositions

Dispositions play a pivotal role in the process of critical thinking. They are the mental and emotional habits that shape how we approach problems and make decisions. For a critical thinker, these dispositions often include a sense of curiosity, open-mindedness, skepticism, and humility.

A curious mind questions everything, always seeking to learn and grow. Open-mindedness allows you to consider different perspectives and be receptive to new ideas. Skepticism keeps you from accepting information at face value, urging you to dig deeper and validate the facts. Lastly, humility helps you acknowledge your limitations and be willing to learn from others.

As a business leader, cultivating these dispositions can significantly help you build your critical thinking skills, make better decisions, and enhance team interactions.

Inference is a fundamental aspect of developing critical thinking skills that empowers you to draw conclusions based on information that may not be explicitly stated. It involves reading between the lines, identifying hidden patterns, and making informed conjectures. Inference goes hand in hand with observation – you observe a situation, gather information, and then derive inferences based on that information.

In the realm of business, inference plays a pivotal role in various areas such as market research, financial forecasting, and strategic planning. For instance, if your product’s sales have consistently been on the rise in a specific region, you might infer a growing market demand or the effectiveness of your latest marketing campaign. Similarly, if an employee’s performance has been declining, you could infer potential personal issues or dissatisfaction with work conditions.

While inference is a powerful tool, it is crucial to base your conclusions on solid data and logical reasoning rather than mere assumptions or hunches. It is essential to remain open to revising your inferences as new information becomes available. Like other critical thinking skills, inferencing improves with practice, so continue honing this skill to enhance your decision-making prowess.

Metacognition

Metacognition, often referred to as “thinking about thinking,” forms the final cornerstone of critical thinking. It encompasses being aware of your cognitive processes, comprehending how you learn and make decisions, and adapting these approaches as necessary. Metacognition resembles having a personal coach, observing your performance from the sidelines, and providing guidance on improvement.

As a business leader, self-awareness is paramount. Are you a visual learner, or do you grasp concepts more effectively through reading or discussion? Do you rely on instinct when making decisions, or do you require time for contemplation? Understanding your cognitive strengths and weaknesses can assist you in leveraging your abilities while compensating for any deficiencies. For instance, if you tend to make intuitive decisions, you may need to exert more effort in conducting thorough, data-driven analyses. Conversely, if you are meticulous and analytical, trust your gut instincts more.

Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is a vital component of critical thinking that allows you to dissect complex situations, understand their underlying issues, and draw conclusions based on logic. It involves the ability to see patterns, relationships, and trends in data or information, enabling you to make sense of it and form an accurate view of the situation.

In terms of business, this skill is crucial in making informed decisions that are effective and beneficial. For instance, you might analyze market trends and customer behavior data to decide on the next product to launch or your marketing campaign strategy .

Analytical skills also involve the ability to validate and verify your assumptions. It’s important to be thorough and precise, cross-checking information and ensuring its accuracy before making any significant decisions. This process of validation helps you avoid costly mistakes and make decisions that are more likely to yield positive outcomes.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is an essential aspect of critical thinking that requires you to monitor and control your thought processes, emotions, and behaviors. It’s about remaining objective, identifying biases, and maintaining emotional balance while making decisions or solving problems. In the business world, this skill is invaluable.

For instance, when dealing with a difficult client or facing a challenging decision, self-regulation helps you stay calm and level-headed, preventing impulsive actions that could potentially harm your business. It encourages you to take a step back, evaluate the situation objectively, and make a decision based on logical reasoning rather than emotional impulses.

Moreover, self-regulation involves being accountable for your decisions and actions. If a decision doesn’t pan out as expected, instead of blaming external factors, you should introspect and identify what you could have done differently. This mindset of accountability fosters continuous learning and improvement, helping you grow as a leader.

Open-Mindedness

Having an open mind is the willingness to consider different ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. It’s the ability to challenge your own beliefs, step out of your comfort zone , and approach situations with a receptive attitude. In the realm of business, this can be a game-changer. It allows you to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing market, embrace innovative ideas, and foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in your organization.

For example, when forming a new business strategy, instead of sticking to tried-and-true methods, you might consider new and unconventional approaches. When receiving feedback, you’re more likely to accept constructive criticism and make necessary changes rather than dismiss it defensively.

Remember, having an open mind isn’t about blindly accepting every idea that comes your way. It’s about giving fair consideration to different ideas, assessing them critically, and then making an informed decision. Like all critical thinking skills, it can be cultivated. So, challenge your assumptions, actively seek diverse perspectives, and stay open to new experiences. As you practice adopting an open mind, you’ll find yourself better equipped to navigate the uncertainties and complexities of the business world with agility and grace.

Unbiased Observation

Unbiased observation is the practice of viewing situations, people, and events without letting personal beliefs, stereotypes, or preconceived notions cloud your judgment. This is a crucial aspect of critical thinking, especially in the business world. For example, when reviewing the performance of a team member, an objective observation allows you to assess their work based on factual evidence rather than letting personal likes or dislikes influence your evaluation. This objectivity not only leads to fair judgments but also fosters trust within your team.

Similarly, objective observation can be instrumental when assessing competition or market trends. Instead of letting past experiences or preconceptions determine your perspective, unbiased observation requires you to base your analysis on present facts and evidence. It’s about seeing things as they are, not as you believe or wish them to be.

15 Steps to Improve How You Think Critically

The following section is designed to help you showcase your critical thinking skills, and explore how these skills might be honed and maximized. Get ready to unlock your potential, challenge your cognitive abilities, and make your thought processes sharper, clearer, and more efficient. Let’s go!

1. Identifying the Problem

Critical thinking starts with identifying the problem. This sounds straightforward, but often in business, we can get entangled in symptoms instead of addressing the core issue. Whether it’s a dip in sales, a problematic team dynamic, or a failed marketing campaign, it’s crucial to pinpoint the real challenge at hand rather than just tackling the surface-level symptoms.

A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved. To effectively identify the problem, start by asking fundamental questions like, “What exactly is the issue?”, “Why has this become a problem now?”, and “What are the impacts if it’s not solved?”.

Make sure to make conclusions based on the information you gather and to keep an open mind. Remember, the goal isn’t to find immediate solutions but to understand the problem fully. This understanding will then guide the subsequent approach to the problem, ensuring that you’re addressing the actual issue rather than its manifestations. As you practice this skill, you’ll become more adept at getting to the root of problems, helping you make more effective decisions and strategies in your business.

2. Research

Critical thinking requires research. It’s all about gathering and processing information that will help you make better decisions. This step is crucial, especially in the business world where choices aren’t just about right or wrong – they often involve various shades of gray.

In conducting your research, be methodical and thorough. Aim to gather data from reliable sources, analyzing all the information available to you. It could be market trends, customer feedback, internal performance data, or even insights from your team.

Don’t forget that the purpose of research is not just to collect data, but to understand it, to see the patterns and trends, and to extract meaningful insights. It’s about turning raw data into valuable knowledge that can guide your decision-making process. As you continue to cultivate this skill, you’ll see its impact on your business decisions – they’ll become more strategic, more fact-based, and ultimately, more effective.

3. Judging Relevance

Judging relevance is the foundation for critical thinking, especially in the information age where data is abundant. The challenge is not about the lack of information, but about finding the most relevant and reliable pieces that can help you analyze a situation, make logical connections, outline the next steps, and and solve your business problem. It involves sifting through the sea of data and determining what is relevant to your specific situation. For instance, you may find numerous strategies to boost sales, but not all of them will be applicable or effective for your particular market or product.

Similarly, while analyzing employee performance, certain behaviors might seem problematic, but they may not be relevant to the overall productivity or culture of your team. Therefore, the ability to judge relevance effectively can save you from going down unproductive paths and make your decision-making process more efficient. It’s like choosing the right tools from a toolbox to fix a specific problem.

4. Identify Different Arguments

As a critical thinker, it’s crucial to identify and understand different arguments or perspectives surrounding a particular issue. This skill involves an in-depth analysis of the situation at hand, recognizing the various standpoints, and weighing their merits and demerits. Whether you are brainstorming marketing strategies, solving a business problem, or making a major decision, understanding different arguments allows you to see the big picture and assess the potential outcomes.

For instance, if sales are declining, different team members might present diverse arguments – some might suggest improving product features, others might propose a new marketing strategy, and others might recommend entering new markets. Each argument has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s your job to understand and assess them. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with all arguments, but rather, you should be aware and considerate of them. Understanding different points of view can broaden your perspective, drive innovative solutions, and lead to more balanced and informed decisions.

5. Evaluate Each Point of View

Strong critical thinkers assess each point of view. This process involves breaking down each argument into its core components and assessing its credibility, logic, and relevance to the problem. It’s about questioning assumptions, checking facts, and identifying any biases that may be influencing the argument.

Let’s say you’re deciding on a new marketing strategy, and several proposed plans on the table require critical thinking. This is where you need to critically examine each plan. Is the proposal based on solid market research? Are the assumptions realistic and backed by data? Does this strategy align with the overall business goals? Are there potential risks or drawbacks that have been overlooked?

6. Question Your Assumptions

Questioning your assumptions is the final step in improving the skills you need for critical thinking. We all have inherent biases and preconceived notions that can cloud our judgment and hinder our ability to make sound decisions.

As a business owner, you must learn to question your assumptions. Maybe you think a certain product will sell well because it’s something you personally like, or you believe a certain marketing strategy won’t work. After all, it failed in the past. These are assumptions that might not hold. It’s important to challenge these beliefs and look at them from an objective standpoint.

Ask yourself if concrete data is supporting your assumptions. Are your beliefs based on facts or personal biases? Could there be other factors at play that you haven’t considered? By questioning your assumptions, you reduce the risk of making decisions based on incorrect or incomplete information. This practice will lead to better decision-making, fostering growth and success in your business .

7. Provide Structured Reasoning Behind an Argument

Providing structured reasoning behind an argument is an integral part of critical thinking. As a business owner, when you present an argument or a solution, it should follow a logical and coherent path that others can easily understand and trace.

This involves presenting your thoughts in a structured manner, starting from the issue at hand, stating your argument or solution, providing evidence or reasons that support it, and concluding with the expected outcome or benefit.

For example, if you argue that investing in a new marketing strategy is necessary, you need to explain why the current strategy is failing, present the new strategy, provide evidence on how it has worked for others or how it addresses the issues with the current strategy, and end with the potential benefits—like increased sales or brand visibility . This makes your argument more compelling, as people can see the logic behind your decision.

8. Practice Active Listening

Active listening is an essential step in improving critical thinking skills. As a business owner, it’s not just about hearing the words spoken, but truly understanding the message being conveyed. It involves paying full attention, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback.

Let’s say a team member is explaining a new product feature – active listening means you’re not just passively hearing their words, but you’re fully engaged, asking questions to ensure you’ve understood, and giving feedback on their ideas. This allows for a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and fosters a culture of respect and openness. Plus, it often uncovers insights that may have otherwise been missed.

As with all skills, active listening takes practice, but the rewards – like enhanced understanding, improved relationships , and better decision-making – are well worth the effort. So, the next time you’re in a meeting or a discussion, take a step back, listen attentively, and watch as doors to new understandings and opportunities open.

9. Ask Questions

Strong critical thinking requires asking questions. As a business leader, it’s one of your most potent tools. Asking questions allows you to delve deeper into the matter at hand, uncover hidden details, challenge assumptions, and encourage open dialogue. Whether you’re evaluating a new business strategy or reviewing a project update, don’t be afraid to ask questions. What is the reasoning behind this approach? Are there alternative methods we could consider? What are the potential risks or drawbacks? How does this fit into our overarching business goals ?

Encourage your team to do the same. A culture where curiosity and critical inquiry are celebrated will lead to better problem-solving, innovative ideas, and more thorough decision-making. But remember, the goal is not to interrogate but to understand better. The more you practice asking insightful questions, the more natural it will become, and the better leader you’ll be. So, don’t hold back – start asking more questions today!

10. Develop Your Technical Skills

Invest in developing your technical skills to help improve your critical thinking skills. As a business leader, enhancing your technical know-how not only helps you keep pace with the ever-evolving business landscape, but also strengthens your ability to analyze complex problems, assess different solutions, and make informed decisions. Whether it’s learning new software, understanding the latest digital marketing strategies, or getting on top of your financial analytics, every new skill adds a layer to your critical thinking skills.

This doesn’t mean you have to become an expert in every field – but having a basic understanding goes a long way. It empowers you to ask the right questions, discern the feasibility of different solutions, and lead your team more effectively. The more you grow and adapt, the more your business does too. So stay curious, stay open, and keep adding to your skills toolbox. You’ll be surprised at how much your critical thinking skill – and your business – can flourish.

11. Identify The Best Solution

Identifying the best solution is the culmination of all your critical thinking efforts. As a business leader, you’re often faced with multiple possible solutions to a problem – but the real trick is to be able to discern the most effective and efficient one. This requires critical thinking skills. You need to make a comprehensive evaluation of all the options and be able to foresee the potential outcomes of each solution in order to come to the best one.

You might find it helpful to create a pros and cons list for each solution or use decision-making tools like a decision matrix or a SWOT analysis. And don’t forget – you have a team for a reason. Use them. Encourage open discussions, value their input, and foster a collaborative decision-making environment. And remember, the ‘best’ solution isn’t always the most obvious one. It’s the one that aligns with your business goals, addresses the problem effectively, and offers the most value. So, take your time, asses thoroughly, and trust your judgment.

12. Present Your Solution

Presenting your solution is the final but equally crucial step in the critical thinking process. As a business leader, it’s not enough for you to identify the best solution; you also need to communicate it effectively to your team, stakeholders, or clients. Clear and concise communication ensures that everyone understands the ‘why’ behind your decision and the benefits it will bring to the business.

When presenting your solution, start by outlining the problem clearly, followed by your thought process that led to the solution. Make sure to highlight the benefits of the solution and how it aligns with the overall business goals. Use visual aids, such as charts, graphs, or process maps, to help clarify complex ideas. Encourage questions and open discussions to ensure everyone is on the same page.

13. Analyze Your Decision

Analyzing your decision is one of the final pieces of the critical thinking puzzle, providing the valuable insights you need to continually improve your decision-making process. Post-decision analysis skills are necessary for reflecting on the solution you implemented, assessing its effectiveness, and considering what you could do differently next time.

Did the decision deliver the expected results? Were there unforeseen consequences? What was the impact on your team and your business ? These are the kinds of questions that will help you assess the merits of your decision-making process and the outcome it produced.

14. Determine Data Relevance

Determining data relevance is a critical component in the decision-making process. As a business leader, you’ll often find yourself swamped with data – from sales figures and customer feedback to financial reports and market trends.

However, all information isn’t equally relevant. Honing your critical thinking skills allow you to sift through this mass of information you’re working with and identify what truly matters – the insights that will genuinely impact your decision. Start by clearly defining the decision you need to make, and then pinpoint the specific information that would help you make that decision. This could involves knowing the important key indicators, like revenue growth or customer satisfaction, or it could be more complex, like understanding the implications of a new market trend.

Don’t be afraid to discard data that doesn’t serve your purpose – remember, it’s about quality, not quantity. Use analytical tools and techniques to help you filter and analyze facts and information you need, and don’t hesitate to seek help from your team or a data expert if needed. The ability to determine data relevance is a skill that will greatly enhance your critical thinking and overall decision-making process.

15. Get Professional Coaching

Professional coaching can help you think more critically. A seasoned coach brings a fresh, outside perspective that can help illuminate blind spots and reveal new approaches. They can provide you with the tools and techniques to approach problems systematically, hone your ability to solve problems, make better decisions, and ultimately, drive your business to greater heights .

More importantly, a coach can challenge your thought processes, pushing you to think deeper, question assumptions, and make decisions backed by sound reasoning. They can also hold you accountable, helping you to stay focused and committed to your critical thinking journey.

Developing your critical thinking skills is not a mere luxury; you must be aware that it’s an absolute necessity in today’s intricate business landscape. Whether you are dissecting complex problems, asking the right questions, evaluating data relevance, or learning from each decision, every stride you take toward honing your critical thinking skills plays a pivotal role in propelling your business toward success .

Granted, this journey is no walk in the park, but rest assured that the rewards far outweigh the effort invested. Moreover, do not hesitate to seek guidance along the way – a seasoned coach can offer invaluable insights and tools to navigate this expedition effectively. So, take that first step and embark on your critical thinking journey today. Your business, and indeed your future self, will be forever grateful.

Is critical thinking an important skill?

Absolutely, critical thinking skills are important, especially in the business world. These skills allow you to analyze information objectively, see different perspectives, make informed decisions, and solve problems effectively. By improving your skills, you are better equipped to navigate complex business challenges, innovate, and drive your business towards success.

Even beyond the business realm, being able to think critically is a valuable life skill that can positively impact various aspects of your personal life. It fosters self-improvement, informed citizenship, and personal growth.

Can you train yourself to be a critical thinker?

Yes, critical thinking is a skill that can be trained and developed over time. Like any other skill, it requires dedication, practice, and the right strategies. Start by embracing curiosity and asking insightful questions. To hone your skills, evaluate information, be aware of your biases, analyze facts and figures, challenge your assumptions, think clearly and rationally, and seek diverse perspectives. Consider engaging with complex problems or hypothetical scenarios, and use these as opportunities to practice your critical thinking skills. Engage in self-paced learning, read widely, and take time to think deeply.

You might also consider seeking professional coaching or participating in critical thinking workshops and courses. These can provide structured learning experiences and offer useful tools and techniques to enhance your critical thinking abilities. Finally, make it a habit to reflect on your decisions and learn from them. This ongoing, self-reflective practice is a powerful way to continually improve your critical thinking skill sets. So yes, with the right approach and mindset, you can certainly improve your ability to think critically.

What causes poor critical thinking?

Poor critical thinking can be attributed to a variety of factors. Primarily, a lack of education or training in how to use critical thinking and how to hone those skills can lead to poor decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, cognitive biases, such as the confirmation bias (favoring information that confirms your existing beliefs) or the availability heuristic (relying on immediate examples when evaluating something), can also hinder critical thinking.

Emotional barriers, such as fear of being wrong or making a mistake, can also prevent people from thinking critically and making rational decisions. Lastly, a lack of willingness to question assumptions, consider alternate perspectives, or challenge established norms can also lead to poor critical thinking. It’s important to be aware of these obstacles and actively work on overcoming them to enhance your critical thinking skills.

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Critical thinking: what is it and how can you develop this skill.

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Founder and Head of the international IT recruitment company Lucky Hunter .

I have already raised the issue of the importance of developing emotional intelligence in previous pieces, and today I would like to talk about why critical thinking also matters for employees—especially top managers of companies.

First of all, let's define what critical thinking is. In general, it is the ability to objectively analyze events, incoming information and arguments; approach an issue from different sides; and form conclusions based on the analysis. Developing critical thinking is relevant not only for work but also for life—today we're inundated with huge amounts of information every day, and in order to be able to analyze this information and determine our position based on balanced facts, it is important to look at situations critically.

Critical thinking allows you to always soberly assess the situations taking place in your work, give an objective assessment, including your own actions and the actions of others, effectively negotiate and find the best way out of ambiguous situations. That is why large companies, when hiring employees, pay close attention to the soft skills of a candidate, especially if they are applying for top positions.

So, how can you develop critical thinking?

Practice analyzing.

Turn the events happening around you into facts. Learn to separate them from emotions. Emotions often prevent us from thinking critically, because they reduce everything to the emotional component, which cannot be relied on. Study different points of view on a specific topic. Read more, broaden your horizons and work with information—the more you “dissect” any information material, the more chances you have to get to the bottom of it.

Pay attention to self-criticism.

There should always be a certain amount of healthy self-criticism in your actions and behavior. The keyword here is healthy because it is important to maintain balance and not slip into self-flagellation. Learn to adequately evaluate yourself and your actions, and determine your strengths and growth areas. I work in recruiting, so I will give an example from my practice: In the work of a recruiter, self-criticism is vital for an objective assessment of a candidate, because, in order to evaluate others, you must first be able to objectively evaluate yourself.

Build productive communication.

If you conduct a dialogue calmly and kindly, without insults and rudeness, truly listening and hearing the interlocutor, you thereby increase the chances of getting some useful insight into the process of interaction. It can give you the opportunity to look at the situation from a new angle and come to a conclusion that you would not have come to otherwise. Therefore, the ability to conduct effective, productive communication also affects the development of critical thinking.

Develop your forecasting skills.

This point is quite closely related to the first one. Analyze information and build forecasts based on the analysis, think over the likely development of events and try to answer for yourself why it will be exactly like this. Such forecasting, again, allows you to study a specific situation from different sides, get certain insights into the process and come to an objective conclusion.

Today, it's crucial for employees and managers to develop the skill of thinking critically—all you need to do is start. The result could have a positive impact on all fields of your life, both personal and professional, because a high level of critical thinking has a good effect on communication (including business). It allows you to form objective conclusions and cut off the excess of information garbage, focusing on facts and analyzing them.

Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?

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How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Traditional tools and new technologies..

Posted September 29, 2023 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Technology provides access to vast information and makes daily life easier. Yet, too much reliance on technology potentially interferes with the acquisition and maintenance of critical thinking skills in several ways:

1. Information Overload : The constant influx of data can discourage deep critical thinking as we may come to rely on quick, surface-level information rather than delving deeply into a subject.

2. Shortened Attention Span: Frequent digital distractions can disrupt our ability for the sustained focus and concentration required for critical thinking.

3. Confirmatory Bias and Echo Chambers: Technology, including social media and personalized content algorithms, can reinforce confirmation bias . People are often exposed to information that aligns with their beliefs and opinions, making them less likely to encounter diverse perspectives and engage in critical thinking about opposing views.

4. Reduced Problem-Solving Opportunities: Technology often provides quick solutions to problems. While this benefits efficiency, it may discourage individuals from engaging in complex problem-solving, a fundamental aspect of critical thinking.

5. Loss of Research Skills: The ease of accessing information online can diminish traditional research skills, such as library research or in-depth reading. These skills are essential for critical thinking, as they involve evaluating sources, synthesizing information, and analyzing complex texts.

While technology can pose challenges to developing critical thinking skills, it's important to note that technology can also be a valuable tool for learning and skill development. It can provide access to educational resources, facilitate collaboration , and support critical thinking when used thoughtfully and intentionally. Balancing technology use with activities that encourage deep thinking and analysis is vital to lessening its potential adverse effects on critical thinking.

Writing is a traditional and powerful tool to exercise and improve your critical thinking skills. Consider these ways writing can help enhance critical thinking:

1. Clarity of Thought: Writing requires that you articulate your thoughts clearly and coherently. When you need to put your ideas on paper, you must organize them logically, which requires a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

2. Analysis and Evaluation: Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating information. When you write, you often need to assess the validity and relevance of different sources, arguments, or pieces of evidence, which hone your critical thinking skills.

3. Problem-Solving: Writing can be a problem-solving exercise in itself. Whether crafting an argument, developing a thesis, or finding the right words to express your ideas, writing requires thinking critically about approaching these challenges effectively.

4. Research Skills: Good writing often involves research, and research requires critical thinking. You need to assess the credibility of sources, synthesize information, and draw conclusions based on the evidence you gather.

5. Argumentation: Constructing a persuasive argument in writing is a complex process requiring critical thinking. You must anticipate counterarguments, provide evidence to support your claims, and address potential weaknesses in your reasoning.

6. Revision and Editing: To be an influential writer, you must learn to read your work critically. Editing and revising requires evaluating your writing objectively, identifying areas that need improvement, and refining your ideas and arguments.

7. Problem Identification: In some cases, writing can help you identify problems or gaps in your thinking. As you write, you might realize that your arguments are not as strong as you initially thought or that you need more information to support your claims. This recognition of limitations is a crucial aspect of critical thinking.

Writing is a dynamic process that engages multiple facets of critical thinking. It has been a valuable tool used in education , business, and personal development for centuries.

Yet, this traditional approach of self-generated written thoughts is rapidly being supplanted by AI -generated writing tools like Chat GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer. With over 100 million users of Chat GPT alone, we cannot ignore its potential impact. How might the increasing reliance on AI-generated writing tools influence our critical thinking skills? The impact can vary depending on how the tools are used and the context in which they are employed.

Critical thinking involves evaluating information sources for credibility, relevance, and bias. If individuals consistently trust the information provided by chatbots without critically assessing its quality, it can hinder their development of critical thinking skills. This is especially true if they depend on the chatbot to provide answers without questioning or verifying the information. Relying solely on chatbots for answers may also reduce people's effort in problem-solving. Critical thinking often requires wrestling with complex problems, considering multiple perspectives, and generating creative solutions. If we default to chatbots for quick answers, we may miss opportunities to develop these skills.

However, it's essential to note that the impact of chatbots on critical thinking skills may not be entirely negative. These tools can also have positive effects:

1. Chatbots provide quick access to vast information, which can benefit research and problem-solving. When used as a supplement to critical thinking, they can enhance the efficiency of information retrieval.

2. Chatbots can sometimes assist in complex tasks by providing relevant data or suggestions. When individuals critically evaluate and integrate this information into their decision-making process, it can enhance their critical thinking.

3. Chatbots can be used as learning aids. They can provide explanations, examples, and guidance, which can support skill development and, when used effectively, encourage critical thinking.

In summary, the impact of chatbots on critical thinking skills depends on how we use them. The effect will be harmful if they become a crutch to avoid independent thought or analysis. However, they can be valuable resources when used as tools to facilitate and augment critical thinking and writing processes. Individuals must balance leveraging the convenience of chatbots and actively engaging in independent critical thinking and problem-solving to maintain and enhance their cognitive abilities. You can do that effectively through writing regularly.

Copyright 2023 Tara Well, PhD

Tara Well, Ph.D. , is a professor in the department of psychology at Barnard College of Columbia University.

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Critical Thinking: Where to Begin

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If you are new to critical thinking or wish to deepen your conception of it, we recommend you review the content below and bookmark this page for future reference.

Our Conception of Critical Thinking...

"Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness..."

"Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fairminded way. People who think critically attempt, with consistent and conscious effort, to live rationally, reasonably, and empathically. They are keenly aware of the inherently flawed nature of human thinking when left unchecked. They strive to diminish the power of their egocentric and sociocentric tendencies. They use the intellectual tools that critical thinking offers – concepts and principles that enable them to analyze, assess, and improve thinking. They work diligently to develop the intellectual virtues of intellectual integrity, intellectual humility, intellectual civility, intellectual empathy, intellectual sense of justice and confidence in reason. They realize that no matter how skilled they are as thinkers, they can always improve their reasoning abilities and they will at times fall prey to mistakes in reasoning, human irrationality, prejudices, biases, distortions, uncritically accepted social rules and taboos, self-interest, and vested interest.

They strive to improve the world in whatever ways they can and contribute to a more rational, civilized society. At the same time, they recognize the complexities often inherent in doing so. They strive never to think simplistically about complicated issues and always to consider the rights and needs of relevant others. They recognize the complexities in developing as thinkers, and commit themselves to life-long practice toward self-improvement. They embody the Socratic principle: The unexamined life is not worth living , because they realize that many unexamined lives together result in an uncritical, unjust, dangerous world."

Why Critical Thinking?

The Problem:

Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our lives and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.

A Brief Definition:

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. The Result: 

  A well-cultivated critical thinker:

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;
• comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
• thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to overcoming our native egocentrism and sociocentrism. Read more about our concept of critical thinking .

The Essential Dimensions of Critical Thinking

Our conception of critical thinking is based on the substantive approach developed by Dr. Richard Paul and his colleagues at the Center and Foundation for Critical Thinking over multiple decades. It is relevant to every subject, discipline, and profession, and to reasoning through the problems of everyday life. It entails five essential dimensions of critical thinking:

At the left is an overview of the first three dimensions. In sum, the elements or structures of thought enable us to "take our thinking apart" and analyze it. The intellectual standards are used to assess and evaluate the elements. The intellectual traits are dispositions of mind embodied by the fairminded critical thinker. To cultivate the mind, we need command of these essential dimensions, and we need to consistently apply them as we think through the many problems and issues in our lives.

The Elements of Reasoning and Intellectual Standards

To learn more about the elements of thought and how to apply the intellectual standards, check out our interactive model. Simply click on the link below, scroll to the bottom of the page, and explore the model with your mouse.

Why the Analysis of Thinking Is Important If you want to think well, you must understand at least the rudiments of thought, the most basic structures out of which all thinking is made. You must learn how to take thinking apart. Analyzing the Logic of a Subject When we understand the elements of reasoning, we realize that all subjects, all disciplines, have a fundamental logic defined by the structures of thought embedded within them. Therefore, to lay bare a subject’s most fundamental logic, we should begin with these questions:

Going Deeper...

The Critical Thinking Bookstore  

Our online bookstore houses numerous books and teacher's manuals , Thinker's Guides , videos , and other educational materials .  

Learn From Our Fellows and Scholars

Watch our Event Calendar , which provides an overview of all upcoming conferences and academies hosted by the Foundation for Critical Thinking. Clicking an entry on the Event Calendar will bring up that event's details, and the option to register. For those interested in online learning, the Foundation offers accredited online courses in critical thinking for both educators and the general public, as well as an online test for evaluating basic comprehension of critical thinking concepts . We are in the process of developing more online learning tools and tests to offer the community.  

Utilizing this Website

This website contains large amounts research and an online library of articles , both of which are freely available to the public. We also invite you to become a member of the Critical Thinking Community , where you will gain access to more tools and materials.  If you cannot locate a resource on a specific topic or concept, try searching for it using our Search Tool . The Search Tool is at the upper-right of every page on the website.

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Evidence Supports Classroom Cellphone Bans, Expert Says

Key Takeaways

Cellphone bans can help classroom learning

Students will be more focused and creative without their phones

They also will be more apt to learn better social skills

THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Classroom cellphone bans should help improve learning environments in schools, a child development expert says.

Keeping the devices out of classrooms would help focus attention, improve problem-solving and -- by allowing kids to occasionally lapse into boredom -- spur creativity, says Jon Piacentini , a child and adolescent psychologist at UCLA Health.

“There are more harms associated with cellphone use in school than the benefits,” Piacentini, a father of three, said in a UCLA news release.

As a new school year kicks in, school district officials across the United States are weighing cellphone restrictions, experts said.

Nearly 84% of teens ages 16 to 19 have a cellphone, making the devices as ubiquitous as backpacks, highlighters and three-ring binders, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What’s more, U.S. children ages 8 to 12 spend about six hours a day on screens , sometimes while in class, the NIH said.

“We know that a lot of kids are spending time on their phone during class or during recess,” Piacentini said.

Dividing attention between class and a smartphone can make it tough for students to concentrate or problem-solve, he noted.

Students who can’t concentrate “do not have the ability to take multiple perspectives or see problems from multiple approaches,” Piacentini said.

Cellphones can also harm kids’ imagination and critical thinking skills by never allowing their minds to wander, and boredom actually stimulates creativity in kids, he explained.

“If kids are on their phones 24/7, it doesn’t help them develop a sense that they can create, understand and generate thoughts and ideas,” Piacentini said.

Smartphones can also stunt kids’ social development. Traditional forms of play and connection are being replaced by video games and online platforms, according to Piacentini. As a result, kids might not be prepared to engage socially in person with others they don’t know.

Social media algorithms also can increase a child’s anxiety by spreading misinformation or reinforcing biases, Piacentini said.

Young children without the capacity and context to understand and interpret such messages may come to believe “that the world is scary,” he said.

Parents can help schools that ban classroom cellphones by mirroring those restrictions at home.

For example, parents can require no cellphones at the dinner table or in the bedroom before sleep, Piacentini said. Parents also can create more opportunities for children to put away their phones and enjoy non-screen activities with family and friends.

More information

The National Education Association has more on classroom cellphone bans .

SOURCE: UCLA, news release, Aug. 12, 2024

What This Means For You

Parents can help support classroom cellphone bans by setting guidelines around phone use at home.

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