Critical thinking is the ability to analyse and dissect information from an unbiased standpoint and offer relevant solutions. It is necessary skill within the workplace as it helps individuals and groups efficiently and rapidly analyze issues and recognize potential risks that are not blatantly visible at face value. Furthermore, it allows team members to settle clashes in the work environment maturely. Therefore, Critical Thinking At Work During COVID-19 makes sure that several ideas are put forth and considered, and only the most viable one is chosen.

There is an unmistakable necessity for Critical Thinking now, due to the Coronavirus epidemic. With mass shutdowns over several countries all through the world, businesses require reasoning and analytical skills to face the uncertainties.

As most employees are now working remotely, leaders may have doubts about their mentee’s level of critical thinking and ability without proper training or orientation. However, several tasks can be provided to the team, even during social-distancing, to test and stimulate their critical thinking.

The best way to improve critical thinking in the workplace is to be exposed to authentic and necessary information. The crisis has evoked an abundance of bustle from the media; however, many are subject to misinformation. Therefore, updating the team-members about relevant news personally, or through an intranet could ensure that information is shared effectively, and the team can make informed decisions rather than be swayed by biases or inaccuracy.The second step is sharing the information amongst peers as it can also encourage healthy debates and thereby improve their overall understanding of the subject.

The easiest way is to make the team brainstorm about a situation. Before appointing real responsibility to the team, give them a task to come up with solutions from a mock-assignment. It is important to go through each idea with them and evaluate. This will teach them what to do if the situation arises and gives you the opportunity to teach and assess.

Cross department evaluation is when a solution is shared amongst two departments, and each evaluates the other’s work. This will increase critical thinking abilities and allow them to have a broader interdisciplinary knowledge. Cross employee evaluation will serve the same purpose but be more precise. Evaluating previously finished projects or competitor’s projects is another way to learn more about the market concerned.

However, letting the team evaluate projects conducted by senior members is the best way to improve the content that would otherwise not be questioned, and at the same time provide a learning challenge for the junior team. This will also allow information to be exchanged vertically, allowing the company to be inclusive.

When effectively developed in the work environment, critical reasoning can support people and groups beat difficulties and meet business objectives through smart problem-solving methods. Even though there’s no quick way to teach critical thinking, exercises and practices together can adequately improve and cultivate it. In crisis situations, it is through Critical Thinking At Work During COVID-19 can help organisations establish efficient remote work as a team to recover adequately to be ready for post-crisis business activities.

References:

1. A Short Guide To Building Your Teams Critical Thinking Skills, October 11, 2019, Harvard Business Review.
2. How To Hire And Develop Critical Thinkers, April 27, 2017, Forbes.