We are talking about a subjective competence or soft skill, important for anyone who wants to succeed in the job market.
But, after all, what is critical thinking and how to develop this competence? Follow the post we prepared for you and learn more about it!
What is critical thinking?
It is having an analytical view, observing different perspectives to make a rational assessment of a fact or situation. Therefore, to think critically is not to accept someone’s opinion or content beforehand.
Increasingly, companies are looking for professionals who have critical thinking, as they are questioners, know the importance of putting an issue up for discussion and make a decision after much reflection.
They are people who connect ideas and have insights, that is, it is a skill that can make you more creative.
How does critical thinking work?
Critical thinking is a cognitive skill that involves analyzing different scenarios or points of view before making a judgment about a fact.
Thus, we must bear in mind that not everything we hear or read is true, that is, we need to do a more in-depth analysis to agree or disagree with what is being said.
When you analyze a situation, you can gain more clarity about it, which helps in making decisions or finding a solution to a problem.
What are the characteristics of critical thinking?
People with critical thinking are:
- questioners;
- curious;
- communicative;
- observers.
They have a proactive attitude in the face of situations, seeking answers to be clear about the facts and processes. And, when reflecting on different scenarios, they find it easier to argue, negotiate and solve problems.
Furthermore, by thinking critically, the person learns to listen to the other and to work cooperatively.
It is worth noting that critical thinking is not related to individuals who suspect everything. In fact, he is someone who has a broader view of the facts, that is, he does not accept reality as it is just because other people do.
example of critical thinking
To understand critical thinking in a practical way, a good example is the fake news we receive daily through social networks and messaging apps. We know how many people accept everything they read on the internet as truth and the danger behind it.
By having this posture, they do not use critical thinking, because they settle for what they receive, accepting everything as true and even disseminating this false information to other contacts.
What are the benefits of developing critical thinking?
Developing critical thinking helps you to have a successful career , because competence brings many benefits. See below!
Ease of decision making
When you have the habit of reflecting on a subject , you can analyze different points about the situation. This way, you can have more tranquility to make decisions, an important factor especially for those who want to stand out for leadership positions.
independence at work
The professional who thinks critically is proactive and seeks answers and solutions, which is why he is able to carry out activities with more autonomy, that is, without depending at all times on a colleague.
This attribute is interesting for those who want to undertake, that is, launch an idea on the market and have their own business. After all, there will be several challenges on this journey and knowing how to analyze each scenario well will help you make the best choices and stand out in the market.
Focus to carry out the activities
By reflecting on a fact or situation, you develop focus and thus manage to concentrate more on the readings and tasks you perform.
Stimulus to innovation
As we said earlier, having critical thinking can stimulate creativity. After all, you analyze various scenarios and broaden your gaze, seeing points that perhaps other professionals do not see.
With this, they are more likely to present innovative ideas, bringing improvements to the company’s services, products or processes.
How to develop critical thinking?
Did you just see how having a critical attitude at work can be beneficial to your professional life? But how to develop the soft skill ? With some attitudes, such as:
- always be questioning, especially if you are not convinced by what you hear or read;
- when working as a team, give space for colleagues to speak and practice active listening , that is, paying attention to what they have to say;
- have the habit of reading and expand your repertoire of knowledge;
- stimulate your mind with topics different from what you are used to, such as reading a book by a new author, visiting an exhibition in the city or traveling to an unusual destination. All of this will broaden your gaze;
- think before taking action, that is, have emotional intelligence to control impulses and act wisely, especially at work.
To leverage your career, you need to have a technical qualification, but also develop soft skills, such as critical thinking. That way, you can build good arguments and you can give your opinion on different subjects with foundation.
