The childishly naive believe whatever they’re told. Conversely, a critical thinker recognizes flaws in logic. Thus, critical thinkers discern truth.
Believe All – Do Anything
If you know where you’re going you have a goal.
Next, if you know how you’ll get there you have a strategy.
Then, if you’re not easily deterred you have focus.
Remember, according to Proverbs 23.7, you become what you focus on.
However, before goal setting I must determine what’s true. In fact, that determination leads me to the “why” of the goals I’ve set because I’m acting on what I believe to be true.
Unfortunately, the naive never get what’s true because they believe whatever they’re told. As a result, their actions aren’t the result of critical thought.
Think Critically – Act Carefully
Proverbs 14.15 criticizes simple-mindedness by contrasting shallowness with critical thinking.
As a result of critical thinking, I pay careful attention to what I’m doing, and why I’m doing it.
Actually, Proverbs 14.15 describes my daily decisions as “going.” Most practically, it says “pay attention to where you’re going!”
The word “going” clearly means a lifestyle guided by God. For example, see Psalm 17.5, 37.31, 40.2, 44.18, and 73.2. In these verses I choose where I walk, my next step, and I choose who guides me to know the truth!
Hence, critical thinkers discern truth.
Think Critically – Discern Truth
Critical thinking occurs before thoughtful going.
The Hebrew word arum is translated by several English words. For instance, prudent, careful, and sensible in various translations. Hence, critical thinking drives behavior that’s wise, foresighted, practical, circumspect, and reasoned.
Thus, I should build my critical thinking capacity. In doing so, I’m less apt to buy into conspiracy theories and half-truths. Instead, I’m better equipped to discern the truth.
Wherefore, critical thinkers discern truth.
Leadership Insight
How does an organization avoid shallow-mindedness regarding market shifts? Well, a focus on executing strategy is one way. In other words, don’t forget your vision statement, your why.
Do you need to be agile and change strategy at times? Of course. However, not without thoughtful discussion that will challenge assumptions and find flaws in rationale.
Obviously, no blog post can be a deep discussion of recognizing and responding to fundamental market shifts.
However, this post is a simple reminder. It’s important to think critically. Then, discern what’s happening around you as a leader.
Critical Thinkers Avoid Extremes
I’ve spent 30 years in higher education. The last 15 or so as an administrator. Most recently as a business school dean. During that time, I’ve witnessed dramatic changes in our market.
For our industry, one extreme is inattentiveness to market changes. Higher education has been criticized for being asleep at the switch. Often, that criticism is justified.
What’s the outcome for missing fundamental shifts? Your college closes! You know, like a business going bankrupt!
Conversely, a second extreme is jumping on the bandwagon of some short-term change or guaranteed-to-work strategy.
Unfortunately, the results aren’t sustainable. What’s worse, the solution often comes with unexpected problems.
For example, finding a lower-cost provider to deliver foundation-level credit hours. At times, students perform poorly in subsequent courses because of inadequate rigor in the foundation class. Thus, the expected cost savings are a waste of state funding.
Therefore, as a leader, I’m less apt to fall into these two extremes because I think critically about market shifts. I must get down to the truth of what’s really happening and what the likely outcomes will be.
I must recognize that critical thinkers discern truth.
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