Mastering Problem-Solving: 5 Essential Critical Thinking Skills

Welcome to Authentic Living Coaching
I’m Linda Codlin, Transformational Life Coach.

Welcome, My Friends.

I’ve been thinking about what it takes to become a critical thinker.
What skills are involved in learning to think critically which will help solve problems?

Here are five critical thinking skills that are used in problem-solving.

1. Awareness: (Noticing and Naming) recognizing something feels ‘off’ or isn’t working.
   Without awareness, you can’t begin the problem-solving process.
   Ask: Is this the problem-or is it just a symptom of something deeper?
   Awareness is the doorway to critical thinking.
2. Analysis: Breaking down the problem into smaller, understandable parts.
   Use sticky notes or a white board to capture all the parts of a problem.
   Here are a few categories a problem can be analysed into.

 3. Evaluation: Judging the credibility of information, sources, and possible solutions.  Evaluate which reason is most true, most urgent, or the most under your control.  Question what you have been told, gather data, and evidence that what is being put forward is all the information available. 

4. Inference: Drawing logical conclusions from available evidence. 

 5. Explanation: Clearly communicating your reasons and decisions, to yourself and to others.   

6. Reflection: Stepping back to assess whether the solution is working or if adjustments are needed. 

“These five questions map back onto the Critical Thinking Pyramid:

Awareness → Analysis → Evaluation → Inference → Explanation → Reflection
These help check each stage of your thinking, and slowly builds confidence in your own process.”

Next week I’ll be sharing how to teach critical thinking to someone who doesn’t know how to start.   

Until then, Where do you sit on the critical thinking pyramid? What is your natural tendency when it comes to solving problems?

xoxox Linda

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