When Employees Think Critically, Organizations Win

Having employees with strong critical thinking skills is essential for the future of organizations. In fact, McKinsey and Company estimates that by 2030, the demand for critical thinking and decision-making skills will grow by 19%. Automation is the driving force behind that increased demand.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the process of analyzing facts to form a judgment. It’s our ability to think about thinking – and know when we’re being influenced by misinformation or we’re overlooking something. That’s not easy in an increasingly automated and information-packed world.

Why critical thinking matters

Many in the content industry regularly turn to ChatGPT for input on articles and research. The results are mixed. It’s hard to tell fact from fiction, with the tool harvesting from both factual and bogus online resources. Every piece of the output should be fact-checked with reliable sources that corroborate the information before it’s used.

Consider the importance of critical thinking in healthcare. A nurse, for example, notices a change in a patient’s health status. That nurse must interpret these changes with an open mind. Their experience or a patient’s words might cause them to inaccurately identify the cause of the problem, and consequently, its treatment. High stakes.

What about in manufacturing? Critical thinking involves understanding how processes interconnect. How will a supply chain issue impact customer service? How can a bottleneck in production be fixed without impacting quality or causing delivery delays? Decisions must be made with an eye on the big picture.

When employees know how to evaluate problems objectively and make sound decisions it’s easier for organizations to pivot and adapt when needed. This agility is vital for all types of organizations.

 

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Automation only makes the need for critical thinking stronger

The advances in online technology and job automation tools change many jobs. In HR, resumes are screened by ATS software. In healthcare, radiology analysis tools have improved diagnostics. But these tools need human oversight. It’s this need that highlights the “importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, empathy, ethics, and other human attributes that machines cannot replicate with the same standards and agility,” according to a study form the Journal of Intelligence.

Where does the workforce stand with critical thinking skills?

Employers identify critical thinking skills as one of three most lacking in job applicants, according to a 2023 employer survey by ZipRecruiter. The 2,000 employers included in the study report this soft skills gap in 39% of candidates.

Critical thinking is an elusive habit of mind

Critical thinking enables people to make better decisions. But, similar to other communication skills, it’s hard to quantify. Many of us think we already do this. But it’s not that simple, says Warren Berger for Psychology Today. “Critical thinking is a habit of mind that must be developed and strengthened over time. In effect, you must train yourself to think in a manner that is more effortful, aware, grounded, and balanced.”

This thinking process involves varying methods of asking questions, gathering information, evaluating sources for reliability and identifying your own biases. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

This skill also improves collaboration. Employees who engage in thoughtful analysis are more likely to present well-reasoned arguments and consider others’ viewpoints, leading to more productive discussions.

Training followed by empowering employees to solve simple problems early in their careers will help build this skill. As they learn to identify root causes, weigh options and consider how their decisions affect others down the line, these abilities will blossom. With practice, they’ll be better able to tackle increasingly more complex decisions and recognize and act on innovative opportunities.

 

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