Thinking about my thinking.

Eight weeks into the MBA and I find myself thinking about my thinking. To get better at it, I have had to look at how I think with an open mind and a keen eye. Thought processes are like maths, the more you practice, the better you get at it. Since critical thinking deals with simple and complex problems, learning to think about your thinking helps to hone these skills. I have learnt a few simple strategies to help me consciously improve my critical thinking skills. These simple strategies include interrogating my biases and training myself not to jump to conclusions, reasoning through my logic to help me grapple with important concepts and see what is there instead of what I want to be there, and embracing diversity of thought.

Thinking about your thinking is a key to successful learning in the MBA. It requires self-regulation and self-reflection of strengths, weaknesses, and strategies created. It outlines how you think through a problem and the solutions implemented to solve the problems. These kinds of solutions are consistent and form as a result of a defined thinking pattern. When thinking critically, we can filter out inconsistencies, half-truths, noise, and outright lies.

In applying this to business, our case studies have shown that it is important to consider how different people in a business work. While some people love working in teams, others prefer to work alone. In considering these differing work patterns, it becomes necessary to pay attention to how biases have been embedded within the organisation and how they influence employee decisions. We have analysed a case study where the middle managers concluded that a machine problem is a people problem, because of biases built within the system. It was easy for the managers to fall prey to this because of the lack of planning, listening, and feedback skills. Employees who are taught to think about their thinking, are more self-aware when making decisions. Understanding their cognitive biases, preferences, and decision-making processes allows for more objective and well-informed choices.

Thinking about my thinking has forced me to be more self-aware when making decisions. It has helped me to monitor my decisions and take stock of the effectiveness of my decisions. If a chosen strategy does not yield the expected results, I can adapt, pivot, and refine my approach. Thinking about my thinking involves being clear about my goals and objectives and adjusting the strategies to achieve them, based on ongoing assessments of processes. As a leader, this self-awareness ensures that I can navigate my emotions and also understand the emotions of others. This leads to effective leadership and fosters a strong organisational culture.

In conclusion, learning how to think about my thinking has proven to be a powerful tool that enhances my and my organisation’s effectiveness. From decision-making and problem-solving to leadership and team dynamics, fostering critical thinking skills contributes to a more adaptive, innovative, and resilient business environment. As businesses continue to evolve, cultivating a culture that values and nurtures this art can be a strategic investment in long-term success.