Course Information

We live in a knowledge-based society, and the more critical you think the better your knowledge will be. Critical Thinking provides the skills to analyze and evaluate information, so you can obtain the greatest amount of knowledge from it. It provides the best chance of making the correct decision and minimizes damages if a mistake

does occur. Critical Thinking will lead to being a more rational and disciplined thinker. It will reduce your prejudice and bias, which will provide you a better understanding of your environment. This workshop will provide the skills to evaluate, identify, and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information. It will lead to more productivity in your career and provide a great skill for your everyday life.

Objectives

• Understand the components of critical thinking

• Utilize non-linear thinking

• Use logical thinking

• Recognize what it means to be a critical thinker

• Evaluate information using critical thinking skills

• Identify the benefits of critical thinking

• Revise perspective, when necessary

• Comprehend problem solving abilities

Outline

1. Introduction to Critical Thinking & Perspective-Taking

• Understand what critical thinking means

• Recognize the role of perspective-taking

• Identify common thinking biases

Topics Covered

• Definition of Critical Thinking

• Difference between judgment vs. understanding

• Why perspective matters in decision-making

• Introduction to Cognitive Bias

2. Understanding Perspective-Taking

• Learn how perspective shapes interpretation

• Recognize emotional and cultural influences

Topics Covered

• Definition of Perspective-Taking

• Difference between perspective-taking and Empathy

• Psychological barriers to understanding others

• Cultural and contextual influence

• Framework Introduced

• The Perspective Triangle

• Experiences

• Values

• Goals

• Exercise

• Perspective Mapping

• Participants analyze a conflict and fill in Person Goals, Concerns, Assumptions

3. Bias Awareness and Mental Filters

• Identify common thinking biases

• Learn how biases distort interpretation

Topics Covered

• Key biases:

  • Confirmation Bias

  • Fundamental Attribution Error

  • In-group Bias

• Exercise

• Bias Spotting

• Present short statements and ask:

  • What assumptions are being made?

  • What other explanations exist?

• Example scenario: A coworker misses a deadline.

• Interpretations:

  • Lazy

  • Overworked

  • Miscommunication

  • Different priority from leadership

4. Tools for Putting Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes

• Apply practical perspective-taking tools

• Use structured questioning to improve understanding

Tools Introduced

• Tool 1: The “Five Why” Perspective Method; Related to Five Whys

  • Ask repeatedly: Why might this person think this way?

• Tool 2: The Role Reversal Method

  • Participants answer: If I were them, what would I be worried about?

  • What pressures might they be facing?

• Tool 3: The Empathy Map

• Sections:

  • Think

  • Feel

  • Say

  • Do

• Group Activity

• Role-Play Conflict Scenario

  • Participants act out:

  • Manager

  • Employee

  • Customer

  • Then switch roles.

• Reflection: Did your opinion change when roles changed?

5. Applying Perspective-Taking in Real Situations

• Apply perspective thinking to real decisions

• Improve communication and problem solving

• Application Areas

• Workplace Conflict

• Example: Performance review disagreements

• Leadership

• Understanding team motivations

• Customer Experience

• Understanding complaints

• Negotiation

• Understanding interests vs positions

• Concept introduced

• **Getting to Yes negotiation principle

• Focus on interests rather than positions

6. Reflection and Practice

• Guided Reflection Questions

• Participants write answers:

  • When was the last time I judged someone too quickly?

  • What perspective did I ignore?

  • What questions could I have asked?

• Pair Discussion

• Participants share one real situation where perspective-taking could help.

7. Final Integration Exercise

• Case Study

• Present a complex workplace situation involving:

  • leadership decision

  • team resistance

  • customer complaints

• Participants must analyze from three perspectives.

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