Critical thinking is a key component of personal and professional growth. Conversely, shallow-mindedness produces foolishness that retards growth. Thus, learn to think critically because critical thinkers desire growth.
What It Isn’t
One way to define a precept is to look at its converse. Thus, to examine what it isn’t.
In the Proverbs, contrasts are used frequently to help us understand the precepts. In fact, they often tell us what something is and what it isn’t.
For example, in Proverbs 14.15, 14.18, and 22.3 critical thinking contrasts with being shallow-minded. Actually, what critical thinking isn’t is careless, naive, inexperienced, foolish, or lacking foresight.
What It Is
So, how is critical thinking defined in the Proverbs?
The Hebrew word arum is translated by English words such as prudent, careful, and sensible in various translations. Hence, it indicates behavior that’s wise, foresighted, practical, circumspect, and reasoned.
What It Yields
So then, what do I get back for thinking critically?
Proverbs 14.18 observes that critical thinking yields factual knowledge. Most importantly, when knowledge is paired with experiential insight, it produces wisdom (see Proverbs 2.6).
New knowledge, when paired with insights from prior experiences, becomes a source of significant personal and professional growth in my life.
Critical thinking produces new knowledge and new insight. In turn, that new knowledge fuels personal growth. Therefore, critical thinkers desire growth.
Leadership Insight
There’s a saying among researchers that you cannot fix by analysis what you ignored during design. Likewise, in any development project – say site construction or a software build – it’s easier to make changes in the design stage than later.
Critical thinking is a way to incorporate this careful approach into decision processes up front. That is, during the planning and design stage. As a result, leaders can avoid the unpleasant surprises that come from hasty and simply-minded plans.
I know you’re thinking, who has time to think critically given the constant, daily press of time demands?
Demand Response
I get it – there’s no quick fix for the constant flow of decision points coming at a leader. But, somehow there must be time for thinking deeply and critically. So, how?
One rather obvious way is to change how I use the time I have available to me as a leader. For instance:
1). Drop it. Step back and ask myself why this activity exists at all. What’s the value added? How does this contribute to what’s core and essential about our mission?
2). Delegate. If it’s core, is it something someone else on my leadership team is better equipped to handle?
3). Defer. If I genuinely need more time and more data before deciding, then don’t be pressured into a quick fix. Instead, continue with data gathering until you have that necessary critical mass of data for a thoughtful choice.
4). Discern. Among all the good things that remain, what’s most critical? Right now, what will bring the highest payoff for execution of our strategy? What’s essential for our long-term sustainability?
5). Decide. After clearing the table of what’s not essential, and what others are better equipped to handle, I’m left with setting my priorities as a leader. I then decide among those essential few.
Personal Insight
Recently, I heard a business owner describe her path from start-up to a now 30-year old, successful enterprise. At the beginning, she was a single parent who wanted to be a business owner.
She looked for ways to establish a sustainable business without the risks of taking on debt.
Early on she recognized that some of the things she was doing were not her strengths.
Moreover, she recognized that in order to be successful she would need to outsource many functions. Why? To concentrate on what was most critical – growing new revenue.
She invested her time in top-end revenue growth. Everything else about running the firm – such as production and distribution – were contracted out.
Therefore, think critically. Especially about where you should grow as a leader. Also, think critically about where you can best contribute. Remember, critical thinkers desire growth.
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com