Competency 2 - Critical Thinking Skills

Transforming Conflict into Growth:

Cognitive Competencies: Self-Awareness

Specific Competence: Critical thinking skills - Analysing information objectively and making reasoned judgements.

Statement: Critical thinking involves the ability to analyse information, evaluate different perspectives, and make reasoned judgements. This skill is essential for making informed decisions and solving problems effectively.

Part A: Start By Yourself

Objective: Develop critical thinking skills by analysing information and making reasoned judgements.

Instructions:

A) Start by Yourself:

• Take a moment in silence with a pen and paper. Think about a recent decision you had to make. What were the factors you considered? Did you evaluate different perspectives? Write down your thought process and the outcome.
• Reflect on how you could improve your decision-making process. Could you have gathered more information? Considered alternative viewpoints?
• Consider how you used your identified strength from Competency 1 in this decision-making process. Did it help? Did you overuse it? Reflect on finding a balance.

B) Take It Further:

• To deepen your critical thinking skills, read articles or books on critical thinking strategies.

Tips:

• Practice questioning assumptions and seeking out diverse perspectives.
• Regularly review and reflect on past decisions to identify areas for improvement.
• Be mindful of not overusing your strengths to the detriment of balanced thinking.

Benefits:

• Enhances decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Encourages open-mindedness and the consideration of multiple viewpoints.
• Provides a foundation for making informed and reasoned judgements.

Part B: Share with Pairs, Family, or Friends

Objective: Develop critical thinking skills together by analysing information and making reasoned judgements as a group.

Instructions:

A) In Pairs or Groups:

• Gather with a family member, friend, or small group. Choose a light, non-conflictual topic that you don't all agree on. It could be something like picking a restaurant to go to or choosing the colour of a new sofa.
• Make a pact that you’re doing this for fun and anyone can back out if they feel uncomfortable.

B) Discuss and Decide:

• Take turns presenting your arguments for and against each option. Discuss the pros and cons, considering all angles.
• Use a timer to keep discussions brief and focused, ensuring everyone has a chance to share their perspective.
• Integrate the use of the strengths identified in Competency 1. Pay attention to how these strengths help the discussion and be mindful of not overusing them.

C) Make It Fun:

• Turn it into a friendly debate. Role-play different characters with unique preferences (e.g., the adventurous one, the budget-conscious one) to see how each argument holds up.
• Keep the mood light and playful, and remember the goal is to practice critical thinking, not to win the argument.

Reflect Together:

• After the discussion, reflect on how considering multiple viewpoints and gathering more information could improve decision-making. Encourage each other to practice these skills in daily life.
• Challenge each other with more hypothetical scenarios to continue practicing critical thinking as a group.
• Discuss how each person's identified strengths were used in the discussion and whether they were balanced effectively.

Tips:

• Be respectful and open-minded during discussions.
• Encourage honest and constructive feedback to foster growth and improvement.

Benefits:

• Promotes mutual understanding and support.
• Enhances group decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Strengthens relationships through shared learning and fun.

Join the Journey By integrating these competencies into your daily life, you can improve your mental health, build stronger relationships, and better handle life's challenges. Let’s make the most of the holiday season by turning potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and connection. Stay tuned for the next competency!

Want to take it further, reach out and let's talk ;-)

Let'st work together, book me or my team for coaching, keynotes, training and consulting.

In the meantime,

Take care,

Krumma

PS: click here for the free mental fitness app that might change your life and your relationships https://positive-performances.passion.io/