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Critical Thinking in Workplace

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Critical Thinking in the Workplace

Critical Thinking in the Workplace
There is an art and craft to critical thinking and understanding the process can be very overwhelming. According to Paul & Edler, “Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving” (p. 4). Retaining employees who use critical thinking skills in the workplace is vital for an organization to be successful. Critical thinking helps to improve the decision making process that occurs in the workplace. When staff use critical thinking skills they are better equipped to rationalize the situation presented and deal with it accordingly. When a person can identify, analyze, and evaluate a problem before creating a solution they are thinking critically. This paper will explore critical thinking in the workplace and how thinking challenges can obscure the process of critical thinking.
Most people process their thinking based on how and where they were raised, their religious beliefs, values, and ethics. Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating ones thoughts while eliminating all the biases one may have acquired overtime. When critical thinking skills are practiced in the workplace mistakes are normally at a minimal. Critical thinking allows employees to make decisions in a clear and concise manner.
In the workplace today, most organizations are successful as a result of employing personnel who possess critical thinking skills or by training staff on these skills. Employees who think critically and make good decisions are those who avoid the common thinking challenges. Misthinking, enculturation, and self concept are just a few of the common mistakes when attempting to be a critical thinker. According to Kirby & Goodpaster, “Who we are is how we think” (p. 14). Before becoming a critical thinker people must face the facts of who they

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