COURSE DESCRIPTION

In order to be successful in today’s complex work environment, you must be able to think critically and solve problems effectively. But what is critical thinking, why is it important, and how does it affect your ability to solve problems effectively? For better or worse, a status quo exists in every organization. This state often impedes our ability to consider alternate perspectives and solutions. This course is designed for leaders and managers who want to learn methodologies for more effective problem solving in the workplace and how to think in new ways about issues/challenges in order to break through common perceived barriers.

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE

• Structured approaches to thinking conceptually and systematically
• Defining the problem from various angles
• Concept mapping
• Breakthrough thinking
• Different perspectives of problems and issues
• Codifying new possibilities and alternatives
• Critical thinking for problem solving
• Framing the problem
• Recognizing breakdowns in thinking
• Communication and impact
• Dimensions of critical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Presenting your perspective
• Perspective and thinking

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify your style and patterns of thinking
• Clearly define the problem
• Use questioning techniques to obtain the information you need from others
• Critically examine and evaluate issues and opportunities
• Solve problems faster with flexible thinking
• Adapt your thinking to navigate through unexpected events
• Use creative thinking techniques to break through thinking patterns
• Solve problems in groups
• Utilize various thinking strategies to understand a problem or issue
• Describe a four-part framework for understanding a problem or situation
• Explore possibilities for breakthrough thinking using a conceptual methodology called “concept mapping”
• Assess personal roadblocks to seeing new approaches to solving problems or dealing with issues
• Analyze and select the best perspective from which to approach a given problem in order to overcome the status quo
• Analyze a situation to determine “what is” and “what could be”
• Break through common status quo workplace situations that plague leaders