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We are not born thinkers, you need to learn thinking skills. Thinking is initially about using our brain to access information, process it and then store the information in our brain. At work, thinking skills enable people to evaluate the stored information and solve problems.
“Thinking is progress. Non-thinking is stagnation of the individual, organisation and the country. Thinking leads to action. Knowledge without action is useless and irrelevant. Knowledge with action, converts adversity into prosperity.” - Dr Abdul Kalam (Scientist and Statesman)
It is not surprising that thinking skills at work are regarded with the highest degree of importance, because after all at the workplace people are thinking, attempting to solve problems, to build strategies and to understand the consequences of their actions every day. Many thinking skills can’t be replaced by artificial intelligence, robotics and other modern technologies. Only real people have the capacity to analyse the impact of any decisions on the surrounding environment. Thinking skills and are transferable across all jobs in all industries.
In this Certificate we cover the 10 essential workplace thinking skills together with practical examples on how to use these skills so that you will have a solid foundation to build upon.
Throughout the Certificate we go through real workplace examples so you will be able to translate the knowledge you gain during the learning directly into your work.
First we consider Critical Reflection, an internationally recognised technique for looking back at a situation that caused us some concern and carefully analysing what we were thinking at the time and what happened.
We look at Complex Problem Solving and how to approach the solution to all complex problems using a well defined process.
We review with examples, the most recognised thinking skills, Conceptual Thinking, Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking.
We are often faced with making decisions when there are a number of options and uncertain outcomes. This requires us to use our judgement. We therefore closely review Judgement and Decision Making.
The ability to get your people thinking will be the key to your leadership success and the future success of any organisation. There are certain practical steps you can take as a manager or leader to encourage good thinking among your followers in the workplace and we will look at each of these.
The art of Negotiation is reviewed because is an important workplace skill. Actually negotiation is a combination of communication, strategy, relationship building and of course, thinking.
The modern workplace is culturally diverse, with people from different backgrounds working together. We therefore look at Cultural Intelligence and teach you how to become a culturally intelligent employee able to function effectively in culturally diverse situations.
To be successful you need to go to the boss with solutions not problems. Being able to solve problems will make you a more valuable employee and help you to be happy, not stressed.
In fact no matter what job you have, your thinking skills will be valuable and provide you with the ability to make continuous personal improvements.
The Certificate in Effective Thinking Skills will improve your ability to get a job, support your job stability and provide you with a platform to establish a successful career and life.
1. Introduction to thinking skills in the workplace. Certificate content. Learning outcomes
2. Critical reflection at work
3. Introducing complex problem solving. Goals and barriers in problem solving
4. The ‘Ideal’ model for complex problem solving
5. Divergent and convergent thought. The key considerations for effective problem solving. The characteristics of an effective problem solver
6. Pattern identification
7. Understanding concepts
8. Concepts in the business world. Creating a conceptual framework
9. The conceptual thinking process. Benefits of conceptual thinking
10. Critical thinking
11. Creative and Lateral thinking
12. Judgement and Decision making
13. How to encourage thinking in the workplace
14. Negotiation skills
15. Cultural intelligence. Managing unconscious bias
16. Self directed learning
When you have completed viewing the videos covering Thinking Skills in the Workplace and passed the multi choice questions at the end of each video you will be eligible to download a digital certificate. This will confirm your participation in the learning and demonstrate to employers your initiative in developing this key workplace skill.
