Think Smarter
Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills

Think Smarter: Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills is the comprehensive guide to training your brain to do more for you. Written by a critical thinking trainer and coach, the book presents a pragmatic set of tools to apply critical thinking techniques to everyday business issues. Think Smarter is filled with real world examples that demonstrate how the tools work in action, in addition to dozens of practice exercises applicable across industries and functions, Think Smarter is a versatile resource for individuals, managers, students, and corporate training programs.

Thinking is the foundation of everything you do, but we rely largely on automatic thinking to process information, often resulting in misunderstandings and errors. Shifting over to critical thinking means thinking purposefully using a framework and toolset, enabling thought processes that lead to better decisions, faster problem solving, and creative innovation. Think Smarter provides clear, actionable steps toward improving your critical thinking skills, plus exercises that clarify complex concepts by putting theory into practice. Features include:

• A comprehensive critical thinking framework
• Over twenty-five "tools" to help you think more critically
• Critical thinking implementation for functions and activities
• Examples of the real-world use of each tool

Learn what questions to ask, how to uncover the real problem to solve, and mistakes to avoid. Recognize assumptions your can rely on versus those without merit, and train your brain to tick through your mental toolbox to arrive at more innovative solutions. Critical thinking is the top skill on the wish list in the business world, and sharpening your ability can have profound affects throughout all facets of life. Think Smarter: Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills provides a roadmap to more effective and productive thought.

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xvii

Section I Introduction and the Framework for Critical Thinking 1

1 What Is Critical Thinking? 3

2 When to Use Critical Thinking 10

3 The Framework and Tools 16

Section II Clarity 21

4 Empty Your Bucket 23

5 Inspection 28

6 Why? 33

7 So What? 43

8 Need 50

9 Anticipatory Thinking 57

10 What Else? 62

11 The Ingredient Diagram 65

12 Vision 71

13 The Thinking Coach 74

14 Summary of Clarity 79

Section III Conclusions 83

15 It’s All about the Premise 85

16 Facts 90

17 Observations 94

18 Experiences 99

19 Beliefs 104

20 Assumptions 110

21 The Conclusion: Putting It All Together 114

22 Credibility 128

23 Consistency 132

24 Triangular Thinking 136

25 Change 141

26 Influencing and Persuading 147

Section IV Conclusions and Innovation 155

27 Outside-the-Box Thinking 159

28 Abductive Thinking 164

29 Impossible Thinking 172

30 Summary of Conclusions 176

Section V Decisions 179

31 Who, Need, and When 181

32 Criteria 186

33 Risk 189

34 Summary of Decisions 200

Critical Thinking

Summary and Suggestions 203

About the Author 209

Index 211

MICHAEL KALLET founded HeadScratchers in 2004 to train business professionals and leaders in critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and creativity. Through workshops, webinars, and keynote speeches, he teaches people to apply critical thinking techniques to real world business challenges. Mike has held leadership positions in business environments ranging from ten-person startups to a $500 million public company.

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