When problems occur, we often jump straight to solutions. Although this attitude is commonplace in many business environments, it appears to overlook one crucial step. However, research shows that cautious information gathering and analysis sets high-performing teams apart from their less-successful counterparts.

Analytical thinking is proven to be essential for effective problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership. And yet, research also shows that a mere 38% of employees demonstrate the balance of judgment and analysis. This skill enables breaking things down into components and making sense of them in order to gain clarity. It is an essential element in critical thinking and appears in both simple decisions as choosing your outfit and complicated matters as defining a company budget.

The Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework (© 2024 – US University of Louisville, Delphi Center) suggests that critical thinking is improved by eight intellectual traits: humility, courage, empathy, autonomy, integrity, perseverance, confidence in reason, and fair-mindedness. These characteristics can also be seen as, being willing and brave enough to ask intelligent questions and then really listen to the answers. These skills requiring curiosity, self-awareness, and flexibility.