Author: George Liacos
How to think more strategically: Critical Thinking: Insights (Part 1)
To think strategically, you must be able to understand, analyse and evaluate information.
We build our strategic thinking muscle using a range of techniques and tools as outlined in my book Spark Change.
The thirteenth Spark I’d like to introduce you to is Critical Thinking.
Critical thinking is a term that’s bandied about so frequently in boardrooms, classrooms and intellectual circles that one might think it’s just another buzzword. Do people mean ‘get your emotions out of the way’ or do they mean ‘be objective’ or do they mean ‘I don’t like what you are saying!’?
Let’s break this down.
How to think more strategically: what is ‘Critical Thinking’?
So, what is critical thinking? At its core, it’s the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. It’s about being active (not reactive) in your learning processes, and it involves being open-minded, inquisitive and able to think in a reasoned way.
Imagine an interstellar mission launched by Earth to explore a distant exoplanet in the Alpha Centauri system, believed to harbour life. As thrilling as this venture might be, embarking on such a journey based on mere assumptions could be catastrophic.
Instead, the mission team, having worked with some of the best strategic minds, engages in critical thinking. They question every piece of data: Is the planet’s atmosphere truly hospitable? Are the signals we detected indicative of life or just cosmic noise? What are the risks of long-duration space travel, and how do we mitigate them?
By critically analysing each factor, the team unveils nuances. They find that the exoplanet, while having an atmosphere, has extreme weather patterns. The signals, upon deeper analysis, show patterns different from biological life, suggesting natural cosmic phenomena. Recognising these ambiguities, the mission pivots from a colonisation focus to a scientific reconnaissance one.
In the vastness of space, where mistakes can be irreversible, critical thinking becomes the beacon and guides humanity in its quest to explore the cosmos, ensuring that our interstellar ambitions are grounded in reason, evidence and a thirst for truth.
Critical thinking is not merely accumulating information. It’s about understanding, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. It’s the process of actively and skilfully conceptualising, applying, analysing, synthesising and evaluating information to reach a conclusion.
In the realm of strategic thinking, especially for organisations and Boards I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with, critical thinking serves as the backbone of any strategic plan. It’s the difference between a strategy that’s merely good and one that’s truly transformative.
How to think more strategically: success story
In the heart of Adelaide, YouthAlive, a nonprofit passionate about youth development, was facing dwindling engagement rates. Traditional outreach methods were failing, and their programs were losing traction. Driven by their commitment to the cause, the leadership sought to reinvent their approach.
Incorporating a critical thinking framework, they began questioning every facet of their operation. Why were certain programs underperforming? Were their assumptions about the youth community outdated? What evidence did they have to support their current strategies? Their team, many of whom I had the honour to work with, began to deconstruct, analyse and critically assess their methodologies.
The revelations were transformative. They found that their initiatives, though well- intentioned, were not resonating with the evolving interests and challenges of the youth. Their programs were based on dated assumptions rather than current realities.
Leveraging this newfound clarity, YouthAlive overhauled their programs. They initiated evidence-based interventions, co-designed projects with the youth, and forged partnerships with local schools and digital platforms to enhance outreach.
The results were astounding. Within two years, YouthAlive saw a seventy per cent surge in youth engagement and carved a niche for themselves as innovators in youth development in Adelaide. It was their embrace of critical thinking that transformed a looming crisis into a remarkable success story.
Resources & Support
So how can you use Critical Thinking in your own work? Stay tuned for our next post with tips and tricks to harness the benefits of this Spark.
This is why I wrote the book Spark Change, developed the Strategic Thinking Masterclass, and have released The Spark Strategic Leader ™ Subscription Program – all to help our sector’s leaders build the strategic thinking muscle.
Contact us at info@sparkstrategy.com.au to find out more.
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