Fundamental to your success in tech programs is the ability to solve problems…no matter how trivial or complex. We are inundated with continuous problems on a daily basis - think priority conflicts, dependencies, people are overworked, team chemistry challenges, behind on delivery, major security holes, TECH DEBT, Audit decided to “flag” a mandatory 20-page audit report…the list goes on and on.
Enter critical thinking.
Wait a minute though...what is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is- “the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.” Sounds simple enough. You need to have the ability to simplify a problem or situation down to its basic form, get to root cause, identify solutions and actually making a conscious decision is HUGE! AND YET - every year there are new stats noting the same distinct result - the #1 skill missing at work is critical thinking.
The breakdown of critical thinking unfortunately starts in our school systems where we have been taught according to textbooks vs. being taught how to think, leverage tools and make informed decisions. This then continues into the working world and heavy reliances on searching for answers within tools and taking them at face-value vs. being a single data point to help inform a decision we make for the given situation.
So how do you teach people to think? It starts with a few key aspects:
Starts with mindset. Be open and flexible.
Be curious and ask ALOT of questions. Challenge situations. Never assume.
Study models and systems, including outside of your area of expertise - reading, listening, watching
Develop hypothesis and experiment. Apply tactics and see what works and doesn't work.
Learn to be ok with not having all of the details.
You then add in these six fundamental steps of critical thinking...
Remain calm. Be like Yoda. You can't think properly if your not in a calm state. Learn to keep yourself together even at the worst of times. Easier said than done!
Get to root cause. Solving problems are nearly impossible if you don't understand their root cause. You can achieve this by breaking the problem or situation down to it’s simple form (first principles thinking). Asking really good questions is extremely important to getting to root cause (which can be a hypothesis!).
Anticipate the path of next steps. Like chess, you need to be thinking about all potential paths for the root cause, next steps, solutions, pushback, roadblocks, etc. This will all help in getting to solutions
Identify solutions. the result of the previous 3 is identifying actual solutions. Identify a few, do your intel against them and then review with the group. If it’s just you then the review process is that much shorter.
Pick a solution and go w/ it - There comes a point where a recommendation or decision is required. Make a decision and go with it. Be confident w/ your decision. This decision might be one particular path/solution or could be a series of experiments. The point is not to get stuck in analysis paralysis. Execute!
Experience. The more experience you have (in your focused subject matter and across other disciplines) you’re doing the more versed you generally are in knowing how to manage situations.
Being Calm
Let's talk about critical thinking and remaining calm. Sounds easy right. One of the hardest things to do in life is self-regulation. This is where you are mindful of your own emotional state, your situational triggers and how to manage those emotions to tackle whatever comes your way. When you feel yourself getting out of a calm state, you know the triggers and how to say "hard pass" and let those triggers not derail you. A simple helper in all of this is to pause. Just stop whatever it is your doing…and unless there is real danger or life/death action required then you can pause. Take 5 deep breaths. There are few instances when you can’t take the time do so. Being calm will allow you to be listen, absorb details and thinking clearly...keeps the critical thinking juices flowing!
Root cause analysis (RCA)
I love problem solving. Part of the excitement that comes with problem solving is the great challenge of getting to the root of the problem. Using first principles thinking, you can reverse engineer the problem. You can then break the problem down in multiple smaller parts. This is achieved by asking Socratic questioning to bring clarity, generate data and give options (hypothesis's). Isolate what is important and what’s not. If you the situation remains complex, then perhaps it can't be broken down any further. You want to look for patterns, associations of details and information. The 5 Why's exercise is a good one to use here for getting to root cause.
Anticipate.
Being able to anticipate what is going to happen next is highly stimulating and exciting. If you’re not actually thinking, then it’s merely procedural stepping through a checklist…which is NOT the case here! As you're going through RCA, think through multiple scenarios if they were to be carried out - hypothesis, solutions, risks, outcomes and pre-mortems of everything that can go wrong. Like chess (or any other strategy game for that matter), you are always thinking ahead because you want to WIN. You are looking for the advantages in a situation and being able to anticipate situations is your best friend for doing so.
Identifying solutions.
I have separated out the identification of solutions because I have seen on many occasions where there is alot of analysis done and then it stops...the actual solutions are never identified or brought forward. The ability to transition from problem solving to identifying solutions is paramount. Depending on the situation, you will have collected some level of information on each of the proposed or identified solutions, risk analysis, cost of not addressing the matter, SWOT +++. I have previously recommended that you should always have solutions to problems...I believe a slight adjustment is that you have at least done the diligence of the previous steps I have noted and you can then leverage the team or leadership to help solve the problem should you have no answers. A suitable response is "I don't know but here are my thoughts on the matter".
Making a decision
There comes a point where a recommendation or decision is required and you have to make it. You need to make a decision. JUST DO IT.
Every choice has an impact - that is the very nature of cause and effect. The key is not to go into analysis paralysis. You need to review information/knowledge is available and go with a solution.
You can never have all of the answers. Prepare yourself as much as possible.
Be confident with your decision. Fail fast. If it works - awesome. If not - regroup and go at it again. Learn and adapt. DO NOT stick with a decision either just because you do not want to look bad.
Decision-making is a blend of intuition, experience and data.
Far too much is lost by not making a decision or worse continuing down a path if it doesn't make sense. I have seen entire transformations derailed and products fail due to inertia and lack of decision-making by key individuals. I say key individuals because this can be range from individual contributors and their day/day actions right up to senior level executives (think VP to the C-Suite)
Experience.
Lastly, having experience in that particular realm of work will be of tremendous help in your critical thinking. Nothing beats experience (except wisdom). Experience is the best form of education and quickly adds to your brain’s memory bank for future problems to solve. If you don’t have a ton of experience, don’t worry! Do the work and gain it. It takes time and perseverance.
How do I improve on my critical thinking?
Do the work. Experience the good and bad. Nothing beats experiential learning. Guaranteed, you’ll learn the most when you fail or make a bad decision. Get back and up go at it again. Persevere!
Play games - chess, strategy board games, and video games are all great examples. I am thankful for my countless hours of video games, cards, board games and many other games that have been amazing for thinking and problem solving.
Martial Arts - Training in martial arts is constant learning and critical thinking. Risk/reward for execution of a move (or series of moves), defensive strategies based on opponent, rules, how do I get out of the uncomfortable situation you might find yourself in and mindful of your surroundings.
Campfire circle storytelling…anywhere you can tell stories of your experiences with others. Make it welcoming and inclusive. Also, make sure it’s outside of the office. Does anyone really like meeting rooms?
Meditation. Just remember...everything is going to be fine. Bigger problems may require more patience, however problems generally have solutions after some analysis. Meditation, calm demeanour and the utmost patience are practices to master.
Notice that I have not said there are any assessments, reports or metrics that says ones progress or advancement for critical thinking and problem solving. I think these all are proxy indicators and the real indicators are shown by your ability to evolve as the situations do in the real world.
Do the work
Do the work. Experience the good and bad. Nothing beats experiential learning. Guaranteed, you’ll learn the most when you fail or make a bad decision. Get back and up go at it again. Persevere! Not every organization fosters a culture of learning and thus allowing the ability to trip, fall and get back up again. That doesn’t mean you still can’t use those experiences to propel your career. Always be asking questions, be in the moment and mindful of the work at hand. If possible record video, audio or notes to grab as refreshers afterwards. It is also important to reflect on your experiences. Think back to occasions that went really well…or ones that were an epic fail. How did you feel? What do you learn from those moments? How did others around you react? What did they learn? The more experience you have, the greater the perspective and the more wisdom you can possess.
Play games
This sounds simple right? Well it can be! Games are meant to be fun. They’re meant to relax you, challenge and stimulate you. Games help free your brain to think on other levels and solve problems in a real or fantasy world setting. They allow your imagination to flow as there are no limits in the possibilities of thinking when playing games. Now some games have rules and limitations, however this again challenges you to think differently. Learn and adapt. Some games are team-based and in order to succeed you must work together while others are entirely solo missions. Some of my favourite games include - Risk, Chess, Zelda, Uncharted, Warcraft. There are literally thousands of games to play out there…Games can also be physical - paintball, capture the flag…all of these shape your thinking in one form or another. I encourage you to experiment and reflect how you feel after a gaming session or activity. It doesn’t have a be a formal thing, just take a moment…pause…and see how the game challenged you or opened your mind to the think a little differently.
Martial Arts
I could talk about martial arts for a very long time. There a solid chance multiple sessions on martial arts from me. The benefits to your mental and physical health and it’s ability to shape your very way of life is phenomenal. Like computer coding, I think everyone should learn and train in a martial art. I have a deep passion and love for martial arts, its history and ability to positively impact ones life. I have personally trained in Muay Thai for for over 15 years. I have taken some breaks due to work or life events, however I still have a strong place in my life for Muay Thai. I even have my kids involved at the ages of 6 and 4. My recent journey has me doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and strength and conditioning training.
Training in martial arts is constant learning and critical thinking. The risk/reward for execution of a move (or series of moves), defensive strategies based on opponent, rules, how do I get out of the uncomfortable situation you might find yourself in and being mindful of your surroundings. You will never know enough in martial arts. It’s continuously learning. There is a saying from Royson Gracie that I really like - “if you want to be a lion, you must train with lions”. Basically if you want to be awesome at whatever you do, then you need to train with the top lions. Martial arts teaches you many things - humility, confidence, perseverance, how to face your fears, how to fail and get back up again, how to think in the face of danger…Mike Tyson once said “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.” Martial arts is a game changer. Hands down. You learn to think on your feet (literally) and how to adapt to your situation. You will be physically and mentally challenged to operate past your thresholds.
Campfire Circle Storytelling
I love to go camping or to a cottage. Getting out into the wilderness and away from it all. Relaxing in front of the campfire as it dances in the dark of the night. You can look up to see literally thousands of stars shining down on you. It’s surreal. You and your family and friends telling stories of past amazing experiences or funny tales that gets the entire group in an raucous, laughing uproar. Everyone is relaxed, guards are down and the only thing on your mind is the enjoyment of the company you’re with and the stories they have to share. These very same experiences need to take place at work….and no these are not your “1on1”meetings or the weekly status with the team in that boring, lame meeting room. Anywhere you can tell stories of your experiences with others in a relaxing atmosphere…then make it happen. The place needs to be welcoming and inclusive taking into consideration your team or whoever is attending. AND it MUST be out of the office. Nobody likes meeting rooms. They’re sterile, usually super hot/cold, uninviting and nobody really 100% listens.
Meditation
Have you ever tried to meditate? Try taking a few deep breaths and then closing your eyes. Focus only on your breath…in and out. in and out. Now goto back to how you’d normally breath, eyes still closed and try just focusing only on your breathing for 2 minutes. Think of nothing else…after you’re doneI guarantee that if you have not practiced meditation before, it’ll be quite strenuous to remain focused for 2 minutes. Your mind will wander about the coffee you need, the outstanding report, the party that night or the gym you need to get to. One of the #1 game changers to bring you focus and clarity in how you think and move about your day is meditation. Your brain is like a muscle and therefore you must commit to consistency. Start small with 1-2 minute sessions per day and work your way up. Over time you will begin to advance and see and feel a noticeable difference. Think of meditation as a mini-vacation you get to take everyday from the world around you.
The next time your eyeballs deep in a problem…remember to pause for a moment and apply these practices. You and those around you will see be a noticeable improvement! The best way to grow is to learn, practice, experience and reflect. Be social about your learning, do not be afraid to share your successes and failures with those around you…seek guidance to continuously improve. Provide guidance yourself! Wisdom doesn’t just come from old sages.