Problem Solving and Critical Thinking for Leaders

“Quicker, better, faster.” Three words we hear from our customers and clients each and every day.  Mastering our ability to think critically and solve problems is an essential competency in today’s workplace and allows us to make better decisions and recommendations in support of our organization. 

In this workshop we will help you demonstrate how critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making work together towards systematically working through a problem and ensure clarity when it comes time to make decisions or recommendations.

This course will explore Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in an engaging and open environment where all participants learn from each other.

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Program Content

Understanding the Power of Your Brain

• Questioning our pre-conceived notions on any topic
• Stretching our mental process
• Learning to be self-critical
• Active listening
• Evaluating evidence and fact

Critical Thinking

• Define critical thinking
• Understanding critical thinking behaviours – listening, probing, emptying the bucket
• Identify and evaluate different viewpoints
• Critical thinking tools

Problem Solving

• The problem solving process
• Obstacles and counterproductive approaches
• Problem solving for individuals vs. teams
• Applying problem solving to a workplace scenario

Effective Strategic Decision Making

• Three barriers to effective problem solving: Faulty Definition, Wrong Level of Complexity, Negative Bias
• Individual and collective decision making
• Determining and evaluation decision criteria
• Applying decision making to a workplace scenario

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the seminar, you will know how to:

• Define critical thinking and understanding your own style
• Work through the critical thinking process and evaluate varying points of view
• Analyze context and information clearly to understand the problem
• Apply problem solving steps and tools
• Select the best technique for making decisions

Who Should Attend?

You will benefit from this seminar if you:

• are in a management or team leader position in Private, Public or Not for Profit Organizations
• are in a management/leadership position without benefit of previous training
• wish to update your skills and prepare to move to the next level in your career
• are a “team lead” with indirect reports or shared employees