No matter what job you do – one thing is certain – you will regularly be confronted with problems that you need to solve. Taking the ostrich approach and sticking your head in the sand won’t work and your team will look to you for decisive leadership. So, this is one area in which you need to become proficient. The old saying of don’t come to me with problems, just bring me solutions just won’t do, and the days of companies expecting employees to ‘check their brains at the door’ and only do as they are told are long gone! Being able to make decisions with confidence and solve problems systematically are very necessary and vital skills in today’s workplace.
Understanding the importance of critical and analytical thinking is the first step to improving your business decision making abilities. Applying the techniques of critical thinking allows you to quickly dismantle complex problems and by doing this you will understand the inputs and implications of your thought processes.
There are so many important matters that compete for your attention when trying to solve a problem that it’s often difficult to see the “wood for the trees. What’s more, it can be extremely difficult to get everyone in the team pulling in the same direction and focusing on the true essentials. And when you factor in that people hate criticism, especially when it relates to their ideas, problem solving in a team environment can be a ticking time bomb if it is not handled correctly.