A500.5.3.RB  -  Blog   - SchmidtSandra - Critical thinking about critical thinking

Question 

Take some time to reflect on the current state of your critical thinking competences. 

Consider your thinking processes when you started the course.  

Have they changed at all?

 Have you been able to internalize any of the techniques and concepts you have learned? 

What will it take to make lasting, positive changes in the way you think?  

Response 

On the web site home page of "CriticalThinking.org, there is quote by "Francis Bacon (1605) "Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture."

In the book titled "Learning to Think Things Thru" critical thinking is defined by Richard Paul as the ability to "thinking about what you are thinking" (Nosich 2012).  Human beings apply that concept of critical thinking every day.  

The use of critical thinking concepts is in your every day life, in my belief, is the best method to internalize critical thinking elements into your thinking.   Concepts like elements and standards of reasoning, system thinking, fallacies and logic, are a few that can really challenged ones thinking.  It challenges you to think it all the way thru.

Critical thinking is a core leadership quality. In the international journal of leadership studies Winston and Patterson, states that "critical thinking skills include concepts of logic." (2006)

I also discovered that there is an entire community of critical thinkers.  This community of thinkers have spent much of their research efforts focusing on the many concepts and elements of critical thinking.  I have found that the web site is www.criticalthinking.org has many resources (articles, research) and even a YouTube site for critical thinkers.

As I expand my knowledge of the critical thinking disciple, I am using the various techniques in my role as leader and manager.  I am able transfer those skills in both my personal and professional life

The impact of improving my critical thinking skills have been evident in my professional life. In a recent mid-year performance review my manager he commented that I ask relevant and thought provoking questions that cause the staff and senior management to think things through and seek greater meaning to a new assignment or challenge which may lead to different or a "non-obvious conclusion."

I plan to continue developing my skills by 1) continuing to apply what I learned about critical and 2) continuing to seek opportunities to learn additional skills thru academia and professional critical thinking organizations.

References

Nosich, G. M. (2012). Learning to Think Things Through. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Winston, Bruce & Patterson, Kathleen (2006) International Journal of Leadership Studies, Vol 1 Iss 2, 2006, pp.6-66, School of Leadership Studies, Regent University

http://www.criticalthinking.org

A500.4.3.RB– Ballet Slippers or Adorable

I believe that the topic regarding the “art of choice” is very thought provoking.  In the TED video given by Dr. Iyengard (2010) I first was struck by the fact that Dr. Iyengar was blind.  The topic on choices clearly has a component that causes one to first think that if there is a choice to be made, in some cases it will require one to see the options for which a choice must be made. 

Until listening to this TED talk, I took for granted that choice was something that as human we all desire.  Because I enjoy having options I always assumed that all people felt that same way.

As Dr. Iyengar (2010) suggests that there are 3 general assumptions that have been made regarding choice. 

1. If a decision affects you, then you ought to be the one making the decision

2. The more choices you have, the better your choice will be

3. You ought to never say no to choice.

In order for Dr. Iyengar’s (2010) assumptions that have validity it must be put in the proper context.  If you are making a choice for yourself, then I would agree with assumptions 1 and 2.  Assumption three is a bit of an over exaggeration because the word never implies that I must always have a choice. 

However, It is my opinion that in a team and/or group environment the assumptions stated above may be so what limiting.  They may be limiting because in a team/group environment having too many choices can cause confusion or even chaos in the group.  I may cause major delays in achieving results because there are too many choices.  In a group/team environment the choices have to may collectively thereby reaching a consensus rather than an individual choice.

Effective leadership requires that the leader consider the choices that are presented.  A leader may be required to narrow the choice before that are presented to the team/group/organization thereby limiting to the available choices.  This technique of limiting choice may be required due to many external influences and constraints in the organization. 

It is my opinion that in an organization collective choice can yield better results.  In our organization we often use the word consensus when considering choice.  The group may have considered many options (choices) however the final group choice may not have included all individual choices but the group reached consensus on the choice.

As a leader I realize that there are choices that I can make the will impact the organizations goals and objectives.  I can influence the choices and my perception regarding those choices must be balanced with my internal beliefs on choice and the beliefs of my team.

The comparison that Dr Iyengar (2010) made regarding the two different colors of nails polish was very powerful.  The results of the comparison of the two similar color nail polish in my opinion proves that choice is more about perception that the actual choice itself. 

Dr. Iyengar also discovered that the perception of choice can affect how a person reacts to their ability to choose.  Dr. Iyengar discussed the controlled study in which the participants were given the same choices but the premise regarding how the choice was derived was different.  Because of the perception by the participant regarding their ability to choose the result of the controlled groups were different.  The difference speaks to the cultural differences on the topic of choice.  In the western culture, the concept of choice is thought of as important.   This concept of choice don’t always hold true in other countries (Iyenger 2010)

There are several definitions of choice that speak to choice being powerful, providing options, difficult, or simple.  Choice is define by Merrian Webster  as 1) the act of choosing, 2) the power of choosing.  The second definition strikes me as something that is important in choice.  The definition suggests that there is a certain amount of energy around the ability to have choices.  Choice is defined by in the Journal Of Neuroscience “as a thinking process in which we judge the merits of multiple options and then choose one of them on which to act.  Some choices are simple, straightforward.  Others are much more complex.”(Carroll 2008 p.1) “However, Dr. Iyenger (2010) suggests that choice can also bring with it a certain amount of confusion or even frustration.

References

Iyengar, S. (2010) The art of choosing. TED Global

Retrived from:  http//www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_choosing.html

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choice

falseCarroll, V Susan. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing 40. 5 (Oct 2008): 259.

Ford, J. D., & Wortmann, J. (2013). Chapter 12. Hijacked by your brain (p. 173). Naperville, Ill.: Sourcebooks ;.

The Hunt Library

A500.3.4.RB SchmidtSandra  – Explore the Hunt Library

Question?

 

How is the scholarly information you found in the library different from the typical information you find when you Google a leadership concept?

As a student of the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University WorldWide Master of Science in Leadership program having access to the Hunt Library has been amazing.  The wealth of information and the way the information is organize makes is easy to navigate thru the library web site.  As a worldwide student of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University my primary source of research information is the internet. The Hunt Library has a vast online search engine called “EAGLEsearch.” The Hunt Library defines the EAGLEsearch as “a discovery tool that is powered by Summon from Serials Solutions. EAGLEsearch allows researchers to search much of Hunt Library's collection simultaneously. Each search returns results from Voyager, the library's online catalog, and many of the library's subscription databases, allowing fast and easy access to articles, books, ebooks, conference proceedings, government documents, technical reports, videos, and more, all at once from a single search box.” The Hunt Library also offers other information sources such as “Ask the Librarian.”  This service allows you to send an email , chat message or phone call to request in information or ask questions.  The majority of the information contained in the library’s online is scholarly. The scholarly information found on the web site has been peer reviewed to ensure that the information is sound, accurate, valid and correct, before being published.   Gathering scholarly information to prepare my papers enhances the credibility of my research. 

In conducting my research, I will also use other sources to gather my information.  One source will be the many online search engines that contain public information that may further explain complex leadership concepts.  The down side to public web sites such as “Google” is that information may not be “scholarly” and the source, credibility and accuracy of the information may be questionable. It is important that I am aware of the scholarly and non-scholarly information found of various on various web sites and ensure that I balance the scholarly and non-scholarly information appropriately.

Finally, the Embry Riddle Master of Science in Leadership is an online program and having this library available to the “Worldwide” online students is invaluable.  The structure, design and content in the library enhance my ability to conduct my research and locate scholarly information at my fingertips. I enjoy conducting literature searches online and in the library.  In my pursuit of information in the discipline of leadership I plan to use all available sources to complete this program.

Standards Story

The standards that are most important in my life are the following:  Integrity, Honesty, Reliability, and Consistency to name a few.  These critical-thinking standards where initially developed in my formative years.  I was raised in a home where certain standards where encouraged and expected.  I expected to always “tell the truth”.  I was encouraged to be dependable.  And I was told that consistency is a key component to a successful and productive life.  I was also taught the same standards formal methods of critical thinking standards in my educational development.  Many of the basic courses in writing and reading comprehension focused on the critical thinking standards.  Clarity and accuracy are two areas that were emphasis the most.  A clear thought given in the proper context allows the receiver of the information to understand the material.   An accurate thought suggest to the receiver that you have done the appropriate research on the information that you are conveying. 

Over the years I have had the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree, complete a PMP certification and take many adult learning courses. The various courses have enhanced my critical thinking skills.  Also, my profession requires effective critical thinking skills when analyzing a complex problem and preparing recommendations for Senior Management.   Utilizing critical thinking standards consistently also brings a certain amount of credibility to your thinking. 

The literature on effect critical thinking contains a wealth of information that can assist the thinker on the methods of utilizing standards to create a clear, accurate and precise thought.  It is my hope that this initial foundational course in leadership will also provided some additional skills in effective critical thinking.  Many of the concepts in week 1 and 2 of the course have helped define and understand critical thinking concepts that I utilize in my daily life.