Critical Thinking

COURSE OUTLINE:

By learning the critical thinking strategies outlined within this book, you will make effective decisions based on careful evaluation, develop the best solutions to problems, identify key issues without getting sidetracked, and use critical thinking to write and speak with impact. It's easy to fall into "thinking traps" such as emotional manipulation, deceptive reasoning and lazy thinking. This book will teach you how to identify and avoid these traps, and how to deal with them when you encounter them within yourself or your organization. You will also be introduced to different styles of critical thinking, and how each works to deepen your understanding of the facts and information you have. For more information, please see the complete class outline. Course Length 1.0 Day Description By learning the critical thinking strategies outlined within this book, you will make effective decisions based on careful evaluation, develop the best solutions to problems, identify key issues without getting sidetracked, and use critical thinking to write and speak with impact. It's easy to fall into "thinking traps" such as emotional manipulation, deceptive reasoning and lazy thinking. This book will teach you how to identify and avoid these traps, and how to deal with them when you encounter them within yourself or your organization. You will also be introduced to different styles of critical thinking, and how each works to deepen your understanding of the facts and information you have. Course Content

UNDERSTANDING CRITICAL VS. NON-CRITICAL THINKING

The Case for Critical Thinking Recognizing Deceptive Reasoning Detecting Emotional Manipulation Styles of Non-Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Styles Becoming a Critical Thinker

RECOGNIZING AND EVALUATING ARGUMENTS

Defining Arguments Step 1: Pinpointing Issues Step 2: Identifying Arguments Step 3: Seeking Clarity Step 4: Understanding Context Step 5: Finding Credibility Step 6: Looking for Consistency Step 7: Judging Arguments Presenting Ideas Powerfully

DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING EXPLANATIONS

Explanations vs. Arguments Formulating Explanations Element 1: Gathering Information Element 2: Processing Information Element 3: Developing Hypotheses Element 4: Testing Hypotheses Asking Discovery Questions Challenging Assumptions

APPENDIX

Reviewing What You've Learned Author's Suggested Responses to the Exercises Author's Suggested Responses to the Case Studies Additional Reading

RELATED COURSES

Professional Development
Business Skills

Motivation in the Workplace

Keeping people motivated is one of the keys to managerial success, but how do you encourage your employees to strive for excellence and sustain that effort? In this course, you’ll explore extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, theories of motivation, and tips for learning what motivates your staff. You’ll also learn how establishing open communication, setting and conveying expectations, providing feedback and rewards, and promoting personal development can help keep your staff motivated to do their best.

Virtual short courses do not include materials or headsets.

Professional Development
Business Skills

Effective Stakeholder Relationships

A critical factor in project approval and ultimate success is the relationship between the project manager and the stakeholder groups. In this short course, you will learn how to build better and more trusting relationships by exploring the dynamics of how stakeholders intersect, act, and react to each other. You’ll also explore ways to avoid focusing on the needs and interests of one stakeholder group over another to ensure a successful project.

Virtual short courses do not include materials or headsets.

Professional Development
Business Skills

Crucial Negotiation Skills

This one-day workshop teaches participants the basics of negotiations. Participants will learn how to identify objectives and variables, establish negotiation requirements, research the other party, determine concessions, formulate a plan for agreement, and determine the logistics of a negotiation. Workshop activities also cover the guidelines for conducting a successful negotiation and facilitating communication, questions a person should ask and appropriate responses, and situations that require a specific negotiation style. Participants will also learn how to gain control in a negotiation, use various negotiation tactics, and deal with unethical negotiation tactics.

Professional Development
Business Skills

Giving Effective Feedback

Providing effective feedback is vital for improving individual performance and team success, yet many leaders fail to provide their team with effective, meaningful feedback.

In this course, you’ll learn how to prepare for a feedback session, how to describe the behavior you wish to see change or improve, and how to ensure the recipient understood your message. You’ll also learn how and when to best provide feedback, how to conduct a feedback session, and steps for controlling difficult emotions that may arise in response to feedback.

Virtual short courses do not include materials or headsets.