The importance of critical thinking
Have you ever realized that the worst crimes in human history have been commited not by rebels or outlaws, but by obedient citizens who complied with the laws and authorities of the time? This not only applies to the totalitarisms of the 20th century, but also in all kind of organizations.
In organizations, critical thinkers are needed to innovate, to produce quality products, to make better decisions and learn from bad ones, to avoid biases and politics, and even to spot and stop toxic people.
However, in reality most bosses, politicians, parents and teachers tell our employees, citizens and children to shut up, avoid unconfortable questions and instead do as they are told.
Skepticism
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between objective truth and what we believe to be true. Separating facts from opinions, according to skeptic Michael Shermer, theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, and others, requires research, self-reflection, and time.
Recognizing your own biases and those of others, avoiding echo chambers, actively seeking out opposing voices, and asking smart, testable questions are a few of the ways that skepticism can be a useful tool for learning and growth.
How to promote skepticism
Here are some strategies to promote it in your team, taken from this brilliant article (that I encourage reading) by Lee Carroll, PhD and Terry Heick:
Following this line of thought, you may also like this posts:
El riesgo de trabajar con empleados que siempre son obedientes
De niños inteligentes a adultos atontados
Obediencia, integridad y un experimento aterrador
Cambiar creencias irracionales (las de otros, por supuesto 😉
50 sesgos cognitivos que pueden perjudicar la toma de decisiones (de otros, claro, no la tuya)
