Critical Thinking

What if you could consistently make better decisions and generate stronger solutions, not by working harder, but by thinking more rigorously? In this course, you will learn and practice a structured approach to critical thinking that helps you cut through complexity, challenge your own assumptions, understand multiple perspectives clearly, and arrive at decisions grounded in evidence rather than instinct or bias.

You will learn how to:

• Translate abstract ideas into concrete, actionable results
• Evaluate ideas honestly and revise assumptions based on evidence
• Solve problems using credible, well-assessed information
• Make significantly better decisions, more consistently, and with greater confidence

You will also receive:

• The "My Thinking Styles" assessment, which identifies your personal thinking style preferences
• A personalized development report with your individual results and specific areas for growth
• AMA's Critical Thinking Model, along with an action plan for applying critical thinking and decision-making skills back in your workplace
• Pre- and post-seminar assessments to track your progress
• Tune-up materials to reinforce your learning after the seminar concludes
• A downloadable skill-enabling toolkit available through the AMA Learning Portal

Who Should Attend:

All business professionals who want to strengthen their analytical thinking and make higher-quality decisions in their work.

Before attending, you will receive a link to the "My Thinking Styles" assessment. Completing the assessment before the seminar is required for full participation.

What You Will Learn:

The Mindset for Critical Thinking

• Understanding the neurological and psychological processes involved in critical thinking
• Discovering the mental habits and dispositions that enable effective critical thinkers

Clarifying Problems Using Critical Thinking Techniques

• Gathering and assessing relevant data
• Analyzing situations to accurately identify the core problem
• Recognizing your own assumptions and cognitive biases
• Identifying and countering persuasion techniques that distort clear thinking
• Managing emotional responses that cloud judgment
• Framing issues as specific, formulated, actionable problems

Developing Solutions with Critical Thinking Skills

• Using counterfactual thinking to test and refine proposed solutions
• Applying diagrams and visual tools to assess data, identify gaps, and communicate solutions
• Seeking alternative viewpoints and constructive critique to strengthen solutions

Understanding Your Own Thinking Mindset

• Interpreting and applying the feedback from your "My Thinking Styles" assessment
• Gaining specific insight into your critical thinking strengths and development areas
• Selecting which mindset dimensions to prioritize for development

Organizational Context for Critical Thinking

• Analyzing power structures, organizational values, and formal and informal team dynamics
• Developing the interpersonal and communication strategies that strengthen working relationships and collaborative thinking

Implementing Your New Knowledge and Skills

• Anticipating the obstacles you may encounter as a more deliberate critical thinker
• Building a personal action plan for the ongoing development of critical thinking and decision-making skills

Learning Objectives

• Use critical thinking skills to arrive at better decisions more confidently and identify what matters most in meeting business challenges
• Apply critical thinking tools to examine what you know, understand situations from multiple perspectives with accuracy, and take well-reasoned action