Do Companies Actually Want Critical Thinkers?
Summary
TLDRThe transcript discusses the varying interpretations of 'critical thinking' among academics, business leaders, and students. While there's a general consensus on its importance, the definition diverges when scrutinized. Academics view it as a rigorous analysis that critiques ideas, whereas business leaders equate it with problem-solving and creative thinking, akin to Sir Ken Robinson's concept of divergent thinking. The conversation highlights the need for a deeper understanding of critical thinking, suggesting that problem-solving skills might be more valued in practical settings.
Takeaways
- 🤔 There is a general agreement among business, school leaders, and students that critical thinkers are needed, but the definition of what constitutes critical thinking varies widely among different groups.
- 🎓 Academics view critical thinking as the process of rigorously analyzing and defending ideas, often with the intent of finding flaws or weaknesses in them.
- 💼 Business leaders tend to equate critical thinking with problem-solving abilities, seeking individuals who can creatively address and resolve issues within the company.
- 👶 Sir Ken Robinson's perspective is highlighted, suggesting that education systems may inadvertently suppress creativity and divergent thinking in students as they grow older.
- 💡 The concept of divergent thinking is introduced, emphasizing the importance of being able to generate multiple solutions or uses for a single concept or object.
- 🚀 The transcript discusses the value of unstructured learning environments, such as the one described at Oxford University, where students are encouraged to explore and iterate on ideas without the constraints of a rigid curriculum.
- 🛠 The importance of iteration and the scientific method in entrepreneurship is underscored, with successful entrepreneurs being those who can quickly adapt and refine their ideas based on feedback and testing.
- 🔍 The transcript suggests that the ability to identify and solve problems is more highly valued in the business world than the theoretical concept of critical thinking.
- 📊 The role of critical thinkers in refining and improving methodologies, as demonstrated by the World Poll example, is acknowledged, showing the practical application of critical thinking in real-world scenarios.
- 🛑 There is a call for a deeper conversation about the true meaning of critical thinking and its practical applications, suggesting that the term may be overused or misunderstood.
- 🔑 The takeaway emphasizes the need for clear communication and understanding of what is meant by 'critical thinking' to ensure that it aligns with the goals of education and industry.
Q & A
What is the general consensus on the importance of critical thinking according to the script?
-The script suggests that there is a widespread agreement among business leaders, school leaders, and students that critical thinking is important, although the definition of critical thinking varies among these groups.
How does the script describe the academic perspective on critical thinking?
-The academic perspective on critical thinking is described as a process where an idea is critically examined and defended, often through a doctoral dissertation and defense, where the primary role is to scrutinize and potentially 'shred' the idea.
What does the script suggest about business leaders' view on critical thinking?
-Business leaders, according to the script, view critical thinking as the ability to solve problems and innovate, rather than just the academic process of tearing down ideas.
What role does creativity play in the script's discussion of critical thinking?
-Creativity is presented as an important aspect of critical thinking, with a focus on divergent thinking and the ability to think originally and come up with multiple solutions or uses for something, as illustrated by the example of using a brick in different ways.
How does the script relate the concept of critical thinking to problem-solving?
-The script equates critical thinking with problem-solving, emphasizing the need for individuals who can think around corners and innovate to address business challenges effectively.
What is the script's stance on the teaching of creativity in schools?
-The script suggests that current educational systems may be inadvertently teaching creativity out of children, with the example of how toddlers are better divergent thinkers than adults due to the constraints placed on them as they grow up.
What does the script imply about the difference between academic and business approaches to critical thinking?
-The script implies that while academics may focus on the process of critique and defense of ideas, businesses are more interested in the practical application of critical thinking to solve problems and innovate.
How does the script describe the entrepreneurial approach to critical thinking?
-The entrepreneurial approach to critical thinking, as described in the script, is about taking an idea and iterating on it through the scientific method, testing, failing, and adjusting until the idea works.
What is the significance of the 'scientific journey' mentioned in the script?
-The 'scientific journey' refers to the iterative process of testing ideas, learning from failures, and continuously improving upon them, which is seen as a key indicator of success in entrepreneurship.
How does the script relate critical thinking to the concept of 'iterating'?
-The script suggests that the ability to iterate quickly on ideas based on feedback is a form of critical thinking that is highly valued in the business world, especially among entrepreneurs.
What does the script suggest about the need for a deeper conversation on the definition of critical thinking?
-The script suggests that there is a need for a deeper and more honest conversation about what critical thinking means in different contexts, as the term is often used without a clear, shared understanding.
Outlines
🤔 The Debate on Critical Thinking vs. Problem Solving
The first paragraph delves into the current societal emphasis on fostering critical thinkers, a concept that is widely agreed upon by business, educational, and student leaders. However, the definition of critical thinking varies significantly among these groups. Academics view it as a process of rigorous analysis and critique, akin to a doctoral dissertation defense. Business leaders, on the other hand, equate critical thinking with problem-solving abilities and creativity, as highlighted by the renowned creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson. The paragraph also contrasts traditional education methods with the unstructured, exploratory learning environment at Oxford, which the founder of 1776, an incubator for small businesses, found conducive to entrepreneurial success. The speaker emphasizes the importance of iteration and the scientific method in distinguishing successful entrepreneurs, suggesting that the ability to quickly adapt and innovate is more valuable than mere critique.
🔍 Redefining 'Critical Thinking' in the Job Market
The second paragraph continues the discussion on the value of critical thinking, suggesting that the term may not carry as much weight as 'problem solver' in the professional world. The speaker shares insights from Gallup about the power of specific word combinations and how 'problem solver' is more appealing to employers. The narrative includes personal experience with the World Poll, where critical thinkers were employed to review and improve methodologies, leading to better outcomes. The paragraph concludes with the notion that while critical thinking is important, there is a need for a deeper conversation about its true meaning and value in society. It hints at the idea that problem-solving skills might be a more marketable attribute in job searches and company branding.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Critical Thinking
💡Academic Model
💡Business Leaders
💡Divergent Thinking
💡Creativity
💡Problem Solving
💡Entrepreneurs
💡Iterative Process
💡Scientific Method
💡Innovation
💡Education System
Highlights
There is a widespread agreement on the need for critical thinkers, but the definition of critical thinking varies among different groups.
Academics view critical thinking as the process of critiquing and tearing down an idea through a doctoral dissertation and defense.
Business leaders associate critical thinking with problem-solving and identifying issues in methodology, rather than just theoretical concepts.
Sir Ken Robinson emphasizes that schools may be teaching creativity out of children, as they become less divergent thinkers as they grow older.
Divergent thinking is the ability to generate multiple uses for an object, such as listing 75 different ways to use a brick.
The industry values critical thinking as the ability to think around corners and solve problems, rather than just academic analysis.
An entrepreneur's success is identified by their ability to iterate quickly based on customer feedback, following a scientific method of testing and adjusting ideas.
The speaker contrasts the structured curriculum of a top public high school with the unstructured, intense learning environment at Oxford University.
Entrepreneurs who can take chaos and create something valuable are highly valued for their ability to succeed in unstructured environments.
The ability to quickly iterate and adjust ideas based on feedback is a key indicator of an entrepreneur's potential for success.
The speaker suggests that the term 'critical thinker' may not be as valuable in a job search as 'problem solver', which demonstrates practical application.
The World Poll employed critical thinkers to review and improve their methods, highlighting the practical benefits of critical thinking in refining processes.
There is a call for a deeper conversation about the true meaning and application of critical thinking in various fields and its branding in job searches.
The transcript suggests that the term 'critical thinking' may be overused and lacks a common, clear definition across different groups.
The importance of distinguishing between academic critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills in the business world is emphasized.
The discussion highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be a critical thinker and how it translates into real-world problem-solving.
The transcript concludes with the idea that problem-solving may be a more effective and practical skill to focus on than the theoretical concept of critical thinking.
Transcripts
here's a good question for all of us
whether we're thinking about um uh just
somebody in in in a job uh in any kind
of role we think about kids in school
there's this big conversation right now
around how we all want critical thinkers
and it's interesting because when you
talk to Business Leaders you talk to
school leaders and students everybody
agrees that we need critical thinkers
right you know it's like it's almost
like we're too fast to agree on that and
and when we start to ask people harder
questions about that it's funny how fast
that definition changes right so I'll
just make a broad statement if I talk to
academics about critical thinking their
understanding of critical thinking is
the classic Model right somebody comes
up with an idea and then there's a
doctoral dissertation and a defense
where a whole bunch of people literally
critique that idea they try and tear it
down so so their their primary role is
to shred an idea right that's one form
of critical thinking now when we talk to
Business Leaders about critical thinking
then you start asking well what do you
mean by that they start talking about
some different things some people will
talk about that that critical thinker
who tears an idea apart and identifies
all the problems with the methodology or
whatever it is but but I hear them start
to talk about things like an original
thinker a creative thinker uh a
Divergent thinker and uh many people
know Sir Ken Robinson he's a
world-renowned education creativity
expert and he talks about how in our
schools right now we're actually
teaching creativity out of kids right
the idea of Divergent think thinking
that when we're toddlers we're actually
better Divergent thinkers than when we
become adults because we get taught no
no no no that's not how a brick is used
a brick is used for building a building
and that's the only use of a brick but
great Divergent thinkers can list 75
different ways to use a brick and so so
I'm just curious what you think about
this are we really all in agreement that
we need critical thinkers or or is it
more to that I mean do we even agree on
that do we even have a common language
on I'm curious what you think we we'll
just go around each of you can answer
the question start with Johnny John okay
Johnny get the start so what I have
found coming from industry is what they
really mean when they say critical
thinking is we want problem solvers okay
we want people who have the ability to
think around the cor to help me solve a
problem it's less about this theoretical
educational academic concept of critical
thinking because that may be true of the
academy where you're encouraged that
sort of the process of becoming a tened
professor or published in something but
at the end of the day business wants to
solve a problem you think about a
company like uber at the end of the day
you know it's not about have you thought
about and analyzed the industry the taxi
industry and that's critical thinking
and d d they how are we going to
innovate and solve a problem such that
we can attract customers and that's what
entrepreneurs are getting at the
academic might be focused on critical
thinking my experience is industry those
in Commerce want to solve a problem so
that someone will spend
money yesterday I spent an hour with a
phenomenal entrepreneur he's the founder
of 1776 here in DC which is a great
incubator with 240 small businesses well
he was kicked out of school in third
grade and seventh grade and then he went
to an alternative school and then he
went to Thomas Jefferson High School but
you know he didn't do well uh he started
a company was 18 sold it when he was 24
and then he went to Oxford and his
description of Oxford's education versus
one of the finest well actually the
finest Public High schol in the United
States which has a very set curriculum
at
Oxford uh you basically you know have no
tests for 3 years you have no kind of
set classes you are assigned topics and
then you go explore the bodan library
you go you can go to lectures if you
want but it's three years of incredibly
unstructured intense learning with some
of the world's greatest thinkers you
know coming through occasionally to
spark your interest and so his
description of
entrepreneurs uh and the ones that can
take chaos or an unstructured
environment and create something out of
it his his um definition of how you can
tell if someone's going to succeed or
not is how quickly are they iterating
are they using the scientific method
they they got an idea in mind they have
to see is it going to work if it's not
going to work you adjust it you don't
just tear it down and throw it out and
and so he said he can tell within a week
or two if the team is going to take the
feedback from customers and iterate on
it quickly enough and and he knows
they're going to be successful whether
immediately or down the road he knows
they're going to be successful so I
don't know if that's critical thinking
or if it's he called it the scientific
Journey for a scientific method for
testing and failing and testing and
testing until you get it right uh but it
was exciting to hear about how quickly
he could identify the entrepreneurs that
had that talent to do that enough times
until they're until they're succeeding
yeah that's great I I really agree with
John you know somebody said to me you
know we're we're a lab and innovate if
somebody said I'm a critical thinker I
don't have any value for you right but
if you said I'm a Problem Solver and you
actually demonstrate that you move
through this company so fast but
critical you know we have to we learned
this at Gallup you know with word their
word combinations people just love so
said you want a critical oh yeah I want
that how about how about Affordable Care
we'll call it an act yeah whatever that
is I want that that's what I think
happened that now we we made something
real hard to make called The World Poll
consistent sampling frames cost we
actually employed critical thinkers
to critically review our methods and
their observations weren't very
fun but they were right and so we
they're very Ivory Tower Princeton types
that everybody respects and all that and
they said you got to do this you got to
do that and it was so helpful but real
critical thinking is a spe
whoever said that that was I agree 100%
with that is a very special thing you do
over here to help sharpen your product
that's but I I don't I'm not real high
I'm real high on problem solving and and
that sort of thing but yeah so yeah I
mean it's just interesting I mean I
think we do have to have a a deeper
conversation in this country about what
we're all really looking for because
you're right I think critical thinking
just sounds great and we all go yep
that's what I need but we haven't had an
honest conversation about that and what
I've just heard from several of you is
you know there might be better branding
in your job search and your ability to
think about new companies by by focusing
on the problem solving elements of this
and and not so much critical thinking
the way we just kind of throw it away as
a as an easy answer
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