Ever since I did the Gallup strengthsfinder quiz and found that one of my strengths is intellection, I’ve been thinking about thinking.

While I enjoy thinking, I needed to enhance my ability to do it effectively. And you guessed it – I spend a lot more time thinking about how to do it.

On Gallup’s website, they succinctly wrote “The theme of Intellection does not dictate what you are thinking about; it simply describes that you like to think.”

On my quest to become a better thinker, I took a one-day course on Critical Thinking from a qualified trainer.

This is the 4-step Critical Thinking tool I took home with me:

  1. Define the problem
  2. Uncover assumptions
  3. Develop Initiatives
  4. Implement initiative

Step 1: Define the problem

The first step in critical thinking is clearly defining the problem. We often jump to conclusions based on unexamined assumptions, including the stereotypes we’re accustomed with.

To think better, we need to take a step back, analyse the situation, gather relevant information, and talk to the people involved for their opinions to help us define the problem.

Example:
Take a chicken rice food and beverage (F&B) business that is not doing well recently. Suppose they have a problem with lack of customers.

Instead of assuming that people are not interested in their food, the business gathers data on current market trends, customer behaviours and talks to their old customers for feedback. They find that fewer people are going into the office, hence the lack of customers. And many of those who do return to the office prefer to order food online for convenience.

Step 2: Uncover assumptions

Uncovering assumptions is crucial and often where the most significant breakthroughs occur.

Assumptions are beliefs we hold without questioning its validity. According to the Cambridge dictionary, an assumption is “something that you accept as true without question or proof”.

A critical thinker needs to be mindful that any assumptions might be incorrect. To uncover hidden assumptions, we have to challenge our beliefs, reverse them, and seek evidence to verify their accuracy.

3 Ways to uncover assumptions:

  1. Challenge Your Assumptions: Regularly question the beliefs you hold to uncover potential flaws.
  2. Reverse Assumptions: Frame your assumptions in reverse to see if the opposite holds true.
  3. Use Evidence: Rely on data and facts to confirm the validity of your assumptions.

Example:
Expanding from the chicken rice restaurant scenario, the real problem was not due to a lack of interest in the food but a shift in customer habits toward online ordering and fewer people going back to office located near this eatery. Here are some ways the chicken rice business could tap on to uncover assumptions.

  • To challenge the assumption, we can ask “what if the issue isn’t just fewer office workers, but a lack of presence on food delivery platforms?”
  • To reverse your assumption, we might ask “what if our food delivery packaging is deterring customers?”
  • To use evidence, the business could analyse data from food delivery platforms to see which types of packaging receive the best customer reviews.

Step 3: Develop initiatives

Once assumptions are uncovered and validated, the next step is to develop initiatives based on this newfound understanding.

If the assumptions remain unchanged, we can develop new initiatives with incremental improvements.

If new assumptions are uncovered, we can then develop initiatives that significantly enhance the original experience.

Example:
If the F&B business confirms that their customers prefer online ordering, they can develop incremental initiatives such as joining multiple food delivery platforms and upgrading their takeaway packaging for a better takeaway dining experience.

If instead they discover new assumptions, such as the realisation that there will not be more customers coming into their restaurant in person, they may develop more significant initiatives with the potential use of their unoccupied space. Like renting out half the restaurant as a co-working space while continuing to cater to online and in-person food orders.

Step 4: Implement initiatives

The final step is to put your chosen solution into work.

By implementing the newly developed initiatives, it will allow you to do things differently. That’s not to say you will not have to rethink your current solution in future. A good time to reevaluate your solution is when you feel you’re plateauing.

Example:
After the business decides to implement the changes – joining food delivery platforms, upgrading their takeaway packaging, and renting out unused space – they can monitor the results and adjust their solution based on customer feedback as needed. If they notice improvements, they can continue with the current approach until new challenges present themselves.

Conclusion

Critical thinking is not just about thinking more but a framework for thinking better.

I personally find that the crux of critical thinking is happening within step 2 of uncovering assumptions. Without reframing the way we think, we may not be able to come up with effective solutions that address the problems. This step is where true breakthroughs happen.

Remember, you don’t need to apply critical thinking every day—focus on it when facing significant challenges or when you feel stuck.

We can become better thinkers and solve problems more efficiently.