Enhance Critical Thinking And Managerial Decision Making Skills

Importance of Critical Thinking and Managerial Decision Making Skills

Discuss about the Reflective Essay Critical Thinking and Decision Making.

The management course has been extremely insightful since it has enabled me to learn the importance of critical thinking and making managerial decisions in an efficient manner. The course has had various workshops that have enhanced the lessons learned in class hence helping me to understand the importance of making critical decisions, especially in an organizational or business setting. Through this course, I have been able to learn that critical thinking is the ability I should analyze my thinking and present my ideas, rather than just presenting my personal thoughts without giving deep thought. One can gain immense benefits once they are able to gain critical thinking skills. I have been able to learn that critical thinking means that I think in a manner that is self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-directed. I am also apple to self-correct myself when my thinking is wrong. Through thinking critically, I can achieve effective communication and problem-solving skills which are essential in different settings.

This course has changed my way of thinking when at work since I now view things differently and this has made me a better employee. The current global work environment is driven by numerous changes in the technology area hence meaning that one must adapt to changes quickly. This means that there is great demand for one to have flexible intellectual skills and the ability to do an analysis of information while at the same time linking together different sources of knowledge for the purposes of problem-solving. A san employee, I can now think faster and make effective decisions after running through it in a rational manner. I am also able to find the link between different sources of knowledge and use this when it comes to solving any issues that I experience at my place of work.

This course on critical thinking and managerial decision making has enabled me to enhance my language and presentation skills. Previously, I have been extremely shy and stammer a lot when it comes to presentations both in class or in the workplace due to lack of confidence. I have now greatly improved my sills and I am able to make an effective presentation before my colleagues in class or workmates. My creativity has also been enhanced since from analyzing problems, I am able to come up with creative ideas which are very useful in the decision-making process. This has led to more efficient processes at my workplace.

Benefits of Critical Thinking

This course has enabled me to be a person who does self-reflection often. I can reflect every day on how my day was and what I achieved or did wrong, and come up with solutions of making myself better. This has helped to be able to think about what values I have and the decisions that I make. I have become a better person due to self-reflection.

The lessons learned each week have been key in enabling me to be more aware of factors that influence critical thinking and decision-making skills. The lessons from week 1 have enabled me to know the meaning of critical thinking and the benefits that can be achieved from the same. I have learned that it can help one make clear and fast decisions.  Week 2 lessons have enabled me to learn about simple deductive versus inductive reasoning. Further, I have learned about automatic and critical thinking skills and how pattern, context, and recognition is important in critical thinking. I have also been able to learn more about the theories presented by Kuhn and Popper, and how each of these differs. Week3 saw me learn about the science of personality and the ten tools of clarity. I also learned how clarity can be used in problem-solving and how inductive thinking and premises are important aspects of the critical thinking process.

In week 4, we watched a GMAC video on reflective tools hence enabling learn lessons on self-reflection. I also learned about the relationship between self-awareness and leadership. In week 5, I could learn about how leaders are able to thrive by understanding who they are and the importance of being a critical thinker as a leader. Week 6 saw me learning about the contexts in decision making like simple, complex, chaotic and unclear, I also learned about upside and downside risk and using this in evaluating decisions.

The Disc Tool was significant in enabling to identify my natural and adjusted behavioral styles in different settings. The tool has enabled me to know that I am highly competent in my career field and I always take the initiative to learn new things and to improve the way I work. This has been brought about by the high interest I have in quality control, my patience in learning and my natural curiosity. I agree with this since, at my workplace, I place a high emphasis on quality and this has made me selected to head several projects. Through my natural curiosity, I have been able to take an initiative and learn two other roles at my place of work hence enable me to be a rounded person. I have been selected as employee of the month a few times and successfully led my team to implementation and completion of projects.

Application of Critical Thinking in Organizational Settings

The DISC tool has enabled me to learn that I am a person who listens to others and is very patient with them even though I set high achievement standards for them. This also emanates from my desire to always ensure quality. I agree with this since I always give my team high targets and encourage and motivate them into achieving the same. This has enabled my team to achieve quality standards whenever we are doing anything. I always like it when the whole team is on the same page, hence I listen to all employees and come up with ways of teaching the slow learners to make sure that they catch up and are not left behind in any way. I always motivate staff who may not meet the required standards or fail to perform their duties as required.

The DISC tool has also taught me that I have high expectations for myself and therefore set the same standards for the team. As much as I set high standards, I coach my team into meeting them rather than giving them ultimatums. This has enabled my department to be one of the best in the company since the employees are used to high standards being set and they have also learned to be self-motivated to achieve the same. My friendly side has enabled me to bring a sense of humor into the working environment hence creating positivity and enabling employees to be enthusiastic. The sense of humor helps in breaking the tension in situations that may lead employees to feel anxious and tense.

The DISC tool has further brought out my independent side. I like to work independently even though when the situation demands, I can effectively delegate responsibilities. Working independently has enabled me to be able to arrange my duties daily and achieve a lot in the workplace. It may, however, be better to sometimes work as a team and not to make all the decisions in an independent manner.

The DISC tool also portrays me as a positive person who encourages other people in the workplace. I am a naturally sincere person. This has enabled me to be positive even when we are facing a stressful situation at the place of work. I always encourage my team members and enable them to go through the tough phase as a team and this has enabled them to become stronger and learn how to face and manage any situation that they may come across.

Improving Language and Presentation Skills through Critical Thinking

One of my negative sides, as shown by the DISC tool, is that I tend to vocally express my disappointment whenever one of the employees does not meet certain standards. Instead of telling those who can influence the situation in a positive manner I express my discontent to those who lack control over the situation. I have learned that I can achieve more positive results by approaching the right people and expressing my reasons for disappointment. This can significantly help to improve the situation.

Through this course, I have been able to improve certain skills that have enhanced my understanding of new knowledge development and critical thinking. I have been able to gain inference skills, in that I can easily draw conclusions from any information that is presented to me and this enables me to make rational decisions. I can apply the steps of critical thinking in enabling me to effectively draw conclusions from any situation. Further to this, I have been able to develop research skills. Whenever there are two different arguments about a situation, I can effectively research and now which argument best applies to whatever situation we may have. I have also gained bias identification skills hence I am able to handle a situation objectively without being biased towards anyone. Furthermore, I have been able to learn how to look beyond the face value of everything and go beyond this by being curious and digging deeper. This has enabled me to discover any underlying issues, for example, unfinished projects or misrepresented facts while in the workplace.

Conclusion-Future Use of Learnings in Career and Life

In conclusion, the lessons I have learned through this course can be used in my career and personal life. Critical thinking has enabled me to be more aware of my life in terms of what I would like to achieve and where I would like to be as life goes by. I have come up with short and long-term goals and this has enabled me to live my life in a better manner. I have also become a better employee since I have been able to evaluate my weaknesses and strengths. I am now working on my weaknesses and seeking to improve on my strengths. I have been able to encourage friends, family, and employees hence also enabling them to learn more about critical thinking and the way they make decisions. This course has been a significant game-changer in my life.