Networking, transformative journey, accelerated career growth, and improved business performance were some of the words at the top of my mind and which were also buttressed at the MEMBA 12 orientation program at the Lagos Business School. Although the two key phrases that stood out for me that day were, “Building the house from the roof down” and “OPUS DEI” – work of GOD, which are of Spanish and Latin origin respectively.
The Spanish phrase “Construir la casa por el tejado” – Building the house from the roof, attempts to depict the complexities that could abound without emphasizing and mastering the core fundamental concepts and knowledge. A strong foundation holds it all together. In my opinion, this transcends into the spirituality of OPUS DEI, which emphasizes the discipline of time organization and a well-structured approach that eventually leads to that oasis of sanity we all are in pursuit of.
I was intrigued by the intellectual stimulation that ensued until I met Dr Anibaba – Faculty for Analysis of Business Problems. She brought to fore a deeper awareness and appreciation of the systematic and logical process, strategic critical thinking to analyzing and delineating data/information to tackling real-world challenges and making informed decisions. The emphasis should be on the “how” of decision making and not the “what” – by thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better!
The ability to foster innovative thinking involves being open to various and new ideas by embracing the diversity of thoughts and more importantly, considering “clear thinking” alongside “critical thinking”. The dynamic approach to clear thinking emphasizes logical clarity in the depth and rigor of analysis.
Skillful responsible thinking that is conducive to good judgement as it is sensitive to context relies on criteria and is self-correcting. It will interest you to know that the structured approach to the techniques of analyzing business problems makes you a better and more effective communicator. As one of the technique suggest the below two steps of effectively presenting and communicating the quality of the analysis;
- Drawing a Problem Tree: specifying the major and minor problem(s) and
- Root Cause Analysis – The practice of asking “why” five (5) times. Distinguishing between symptoms and causes
The ability to ask the right questions is more important than coming up with the answers. According to a quote by Socrates, “I know you won’t believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others”. Thus, it is recommended to follow some of the below stated basic techniques of questioning;
- Socratic Questioning
- Questions for clarification
- Questions that probe assumptions
- Questions that probe reasons and evidence
The latent point to be driven home is the need to develop and hone ones critical and thinking skills, while the Salient point is to improve on our ability to make good judgment in the midst of complex data and or situations Also it is more imperative to emphasize that the “Outcome is just as important as the process”.
#MEMBA 12
