Harnessing Critical Thinking Skills for Real-World Problem Solving

<Lorena Burlacu>

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and make decisions based on evidence, logic, and reasoning. Instead of simply accepting what we are told, critical thinking helps us ask questions and better understand the situations around us. It is important in everyday life, both personally and professionally, because it helps us make better choices and solve problems effectively (Paul, R. și Elder, L. (2014).

Applying critical thinking involves several essential steps. The first step is to clearly identify the problem or dilemma we are facing. Then, we gather the necessary information and analyze it. Critical thinking is not just about accepting what we see or hear, but looking at the situation from multiple angles and considering all the options. Once we have all the data, we choose the option that seems most logical and well-argued.(Brookfield, S.D. (2012).

Another important aspect of s that it helps us to be more aware of our own biases and overcome them. Often, we make decisions based on emotions, past experiences, or external pressures, but critical thinking encourages us to look at each situation objectively. It helps us separate facts from opinions and evaluate information without letting feelings influence us negatively. This process of self-reflection is essential in building clear and logical thinking, which allows us to make more rational and well-founded choices. Thus, critical thinking not only helps us solve dilemmas, but also to become more balanced people, capable of making conscious and informed decisions in any area of life.

An example of a work-related dilemma where I applied critical thinking was when my team and I were working on a project with a deadline. We received a set of data that seemed sufficient to complete the tasks, but upon careful review, we noticed a few errors. These errors had not been noticed by the other team members, who were in a hurry and did not check the information.

Here we had a dilemma: should we continue with the data as it was, in order to meet the deadline, or should we address the problem and delay the project to correct the errors? Applying critical thinking, we considered both options. If we did not correct the errors, the project would have been delivered incorrectly and would have hurt the relationship with the client. On the other hand, delaying the project would have created additional pressure.

I chose to raise the issue and suggest a revision of the data, even if it meant a delay. I explained to the team that in order to deliver a quality project, we needed to correct those errors. Even though this resulted in an extension of the deadline, the client greatly appreciated the accuracy and detail of the final project.

This experience showed me how important critical thinking is when we are under pressure. Even if it means choosing a more difficult path, critical thinking helps us make correct and informed choices. In a team, this means that sometimes we have to put quality above meeting deadlines in order to achieve the best results.

In conclusion, critical thinking is a valuable tool in decision-making and problem-solving. It helps us to better understand situations, choose the best solutions, and act in a logical and informative way. It is essential to apply it in our daily lives, both in our careers and in our personal relationships.

References:

Brookfield, S.D. (2012). Teaching for Critical Thinking: Tools and Techniques to Help Students Question Their Assumptions. Jossey-Bass https://archive.org/details/critical-thinking-tools-for-taking-charge-of-your-professional-life-2e/How%20to%20Study%20and%20Learn%20a%20Discipline/

Paul, R. și Elder, L. (2014). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Pearson Education https://pocketbook.de/de_en/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/3751058/#page=26.25