The Key to Effective Problem Solving
Collaborative article on Facili-station with Jose Manuel Redondo Lopera
Aug 30, 2024
In both professional and personal spheres, debates often escalate, with polarized opinions and biases obstructing decision-making. The fast pace of our lives, overwhelming information, and our brain’s tendency to favor the familiar make critical thinking particularly challenging. This essential skill, like a muscle needing constant exercise, helps us understand the real issues and find effective solutions.
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking involves systematically analyzing and evaluating information and arguments to make reasoned judgments and decisions. It requires questioning assumptions, identifying biases, and considering various perspectives to solve problems effectively. It is both a mind-set and a collaborative approach.
Critical Thinking vs. Other Approaches
Critical thinking focuses on evaluating and reasoning through information, while lateral thinking uses unconventional methods for creative problem-solving, and design thinking emphasizes user understanding and iterative solution development. Through interconnected disciplines, critical thinking aims to understand problems from multiple perspectives and evaluate various facts to identify the root cause. It is all about solving the right problem.
Think Slow Before Thinking Fast
Albert Einstein said, “If I had 60 minutes to solve a problem, I would spend 55 minutes understanding the problem and 5 minutes finding a solution.” Often, we rush to solutions without fully understanding the problem, wasting valuable time. Investing time in critical thinking enhances problem-solving efficiency and helps us avoid solving for the wrong problem.
Truly listening, a key critical thinking skill
Facilitators, including myself, may sometimes fall into the method/agenda trap, focusing on what’s next rather than truly listening. This can lead to missed co-creation opportunities. Improving listening skills can enrich your abilities and presence as a facilitator.
Start with a curious, child-like “why” approach
To understand a problem deeply, start by asking exploratory questions. The 5 Why Technique promotes curiosity to uncover deeper causes, as shown in the Jefferson Memorial video.
Tools like the Fishbone diagram break problems into smaller components. Both help us to uncover aspects that we have not thought about yet. Once you have focused on the rout cause you can use the “How Might We…” statement to help communicate the issue with clarity to stakeholders and customers.
The Double Diamond Method
The next phase is then exploring creatively possible solutions. The double diamond model, known from design thinking, is also valuable for critical thinking. Its iterative and explorative nature helps validate problem statements and test solutions early on.
Techniques like reverse brainstorming and the six thinking hats can spark new perspectives and challenge conventional thinking patterns which help us step out of our regular thinking patterns.
Prioritize with the How Now Wow Matrix
To prioritize impactful solutions, I often use the How Now Wow matrix. It creates a positive and meaningful picture to jointly agree on the next steps forward.
Critical thinking techniques help us become aware of our biases and enable us to create an environment of openness and collaboration, which are essential for fostering innovation and addressing complex challenges. It is all about staying curious and having an open mindset.
#criticalthinking #facilitation
See this article also on Facilistation: Critical Thinking (facilistation.com)
About the author
Arnold Jung is an independent facilitator, trainer, and coach at Innov8 Consulting in Norway.
Leveraging his diverse organizational background and extensive international experience, he helps teams and organizations become more adaptive, innovation-driven, and prepared to seize future opportunities.
Arnold’s passion for development and leadership, grounded in empathy and trust, enables him to foster engagement at all levels through a design-centric approach.
With over 25 years of experience across various roles in learning, product development, consulting, and management, Arnold is dedicated to creating sustainable value and making a positive impact on individuals, teams, and the broader community.
