Overview

Feeling overwhelmed? What if you could learn a process for thinking to make better decisions and create better solutions? In this course, you’ll learn and practice techniques to generate breakthrough ideas and solve your most pressing problems. You’ll also discover how to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and see others’ viewpoints with clarity.You’ll learn how to:Translate abstract ideas into tangible resultsEvaluate ideas and adjust assumptionsSolve problems based on credible evidenceMake dramatically better decisionsYou’ll also receive:The “My Thinking Styles” assessment, which gauges your thinking style preferencesA personalized development report with your individual results and areas for developmentAMA’s Critical Thinking Model, with an action plan for implementing critical thinking and decision-making skills back at workPre- and post-seminar assessmentsTune-up materials to review what you've learned after the eventA skill-enabling toolkit, downloadable from the AMA Learning PortalWho Should AttendAll business professionals who want to enhance their thinking processes to achieve better results in business.Note: Before attending this session, you will receive a link to the online “My Thinking Styles” assessment. You must complete the assessment to participate fully in this seminar.What you will LearnThe Mindset for Critical ThinkingUnderstanding the neurological and psychological brain functions involved in critical thinkingDiscovering the mental habits that dispose people to be effective critical thinkersClarifying Problems Using Critical Thinking TechniquesGathering and assessing dataAnalyzing a given situation to identify the problems at handRecognizing your assumptions and cognitive biasesUnmasking persuasion techniquesIdentifying and managing emotionsFraming and translating issues into formulated, actionable itemsDeveloping Solutions and Solving Problems with Critical Thinking SkillsApplying counterfactual thinking techniques to assess and refine solutionsUsing diagrams to assess data, check for gaps and communicate solutions to othersSeek relevant alternative viewpoints for constructive critiqueUnderstanding Your Mindset for Critical ThinkingInterpreting feedback on your “My Thinking Styles” assessmentGaining insight into your critical thinking mindsetSelecting which parts of your mindset to develop furtherOrganizational Context and Awareness for Critical ThinkingAnalyzing power relationships, values, and formal and informal structures of your team or organizationAcquiring key interpersonal and communication strategies to strengthen your relationshipsImplementing Your New Knowledge and SkillsAnticipating pitfalls you may encounter as a critical thinkerCreating an action plan for development of critical thinking skillsOutlineLEARNING OBJECTIVESLearn to Use Critical Thinking Skills to Arrive at Better Decisions More Confidently and Determine What Matters Most in Meeting Business ChallengesLearn to Use Critical Thinking Skills and Tools to Examine the Information Knowledge You Have, Accurately Understand Situations from Multiple Perspectives, and Take Appropriate ActionLESSON ONECritical Thinking in BusinessDefine Critical ThinkingDescribe Characteristics of Effective Critical ThinkersRelate the Role of Critical Thinking in Meeting Business ChallengesThe RED Model of Critical ThinkingIdentify the Skill Areas of the Critical Thinking ProcessRecognize and Use Skills That Support the Critical Thinking ProcessLESSON TWOAppraising Your Critical Thinking SkillsRecognize the Value of Gaining Insight into Your Critical Thinking SkillsReview Feedback on Your “My Thinking StylesTM” AssessmentUnderstand the Connection Between Your Individual Thinking Style and the RED Approach to Critical ThinkingApplying Critical Thinking Skills and ToolsPractice Using Critical Thinking Skills and Techniques in a Real Business SituationIdentify Personal Situations Where Critical Thinking Can Be UsedSelect Tools for Using Critical Thinking SkillsLESSON THREEApplying Critical Thinking Skills and Tools (cont’d)Practice Using Critical Thinking Skills and Techniques in a Real Business SituationIdentify Personal Situations Where Critical Thinking Can Be UsedSelect Tools for Using Critical Thinking SkillsDeveloping Organizational Awareness and Managing RelationshipsUnderstand the Attributes Associated with Organizational Awareness and Managing RelationshipsAnticipate Interpersonal Strategies You Will Need to Implement Critical Thinking at WorkImplementing Your New Knowledge and SkillsAnticipate Pitfalls You May Encounter as a Critical ThinkerCreate an Action Plan for Development of Critical Thinking Skills