(ES) Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving Lesson

Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving

Most reports describing what employers look for in an employee include three attributes: creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. But what do these items really mean in a business setting?

Creativity

...creative thinking means imagining things in a new light, digging to find previously undetected patterns, and finding connections among unrelated things. Robert Von OechAccording to author and speaker Robert Von Oech, creative thinking means imagining things in a new light, digging to find previously undetected patterns, and finding connections among unrelated things. Those who are creative thinkers are able to synthesize the world around them to generate new, novel, and interesting ideas. Further, they analyze these ideas from the viewpoint of potential implications of an action, including possible responses, problems, and outcomes. Finally, the creative thinker is one who can find a practical application to ideas that are generated.

Individuals can use a number of techniques to develop their creativity.

  • Keep a Journal - Be on the lookout for new and interesting ideas and write them down.
  • Give Technology a Break - Excessive use of technology can "dumb us down" according to some reports. Reverting back to writing things by hand, especially if you use cursive writing, stimulates creativity.
  • Ask Questions - Questions often ignite creative processes.
  • Be an Intellectual Risk Taker - Don't be afraid of looking foolish, taking intellectual risks that are tempered with good sense can help you build creativity.
  • Persevere - Don't give up on a new idea if at first it doesn't work, keep trying and fine tuning.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a key element in your education, in your career, and in your personal life. Are you a critical thinker? Do you have the following qualities? How many of these questions can you answer with "Yes!"?

  • Do you constantly ask questions such as when, where, why, who, and how?
  • Are you NOT satisfied with face value answers?
  • Can you listen with an open mind?
  • Do you appreciate other viewpoints?
  • In making a decision or solving a problem, do you collect, evaluate, and consider the evidence?
  • Do you consider whether the evidence is from a valid source or just an opinion?
  • Do you use writing to synthesize and refine your ideas?

If you said yes to all of these, you are a critical thinker. If you did not answer all of these questions affirmatively, you can still develop your critical thinking skills by practicing these traits.

Problem-Solving

Like creativity and critical thinking, problem solving skills can be learned, developed, and nurtured. The steps to solving a problem are these:

  1. Identify the problem
  2. Brainstorm for possible solutions
  3. Analyze the possible outcomes from each solution
  4. Select a solution
  5. Implement the solution
  6. Determine how well the solution is working
  7. Return to step 1 if solution is not working well

Creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills are highly sought by employers. While our country was once swept by an industrial revolution where manufacturing required repetitive tasks and stamina, our global economy is in the midst of an information revolution that requires employees who are creative critical thinkers and problem solvers.

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