What is the #1 “Skill” Employers are looking for?
(Blog 1 of 5)
Last year we talked about hitting the ground running this year. We also discussed what will be needed in the coming years to be successful. The answer boiled down to one major skill. It is the same skill employers are looking for.
The #1 “Skill” that employers are looking for is: Critical Thinking. This and the following 4 Blogs will provide a little background, why it is our most powerful strength, what Critical Thinking can do for you and some key elements of critical thinking skills.
Background of a Baptism by Fire
An excellent professor I had years ago (affectionately called Dr. G.) once said to me: “Chuck, if you don’t want to be like everyone else, don’t act like everyone else!” These words resonated with me through the years and I would like to share with you what they mean.
Dr. Gertmenian has an impressive background. He was a chief negotiator of Détente under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, has been on the board of directors of some major corporations, continues to teach Microeconomics at Pepperdine University in California and taught it for a time in Russia (I was fortunate in 1997 to travel with him and assist in one of his Microeconomics classes in Moscow).
My first exposure to Dr. Gertmenian (Dr. G) was when I attended Pepperdine University in California and took his class in microeconomics. In a short 16 weeks he taught us a great deal about microeconomics, macroeconomics and spiced it religion, law and investing. It was one of the most difficult, fascinating and educational sixteen weeks I have ever had.
During the class Dr. G. continually stressed the importance of Critical Thinking in all that he taught. He would constantly challenge us to think through issues, analyze issues from multiple view points and encourage us to look at intuitive and non-intuitive thinking. He also taught us to not taking things at face value and doing my homework when needed.
Dr. G’s class was my first primary exposure and a “Baptism by fire” of using critical thinking skills. His dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm sparked a roaring fire inside me to learn more about this powerful skill.
I began asking questions like:
- Why are some people with equal intelligence, skills and ambition not as successful as others with the same intelligence, skills and ambition?
- What does it take to be a leader at a company and get more pay and benefits?
- Why does a company tell most of its employees that they have to go through years and years in the same position to move slowly up the ladder of success when the CEO gets there much sooner?
Note: A CEO would have to be 400 years old if he/she had to go through the same hoops!
The simple answer to these questions (and more) is: They have strong Critical Thinking skills.
Although Critical Thinking is the answer; that begs the next questions: Why is Critical Thinking so Powerful?...and…How can Critical Thinking skills be improved? Let’s dig deeper.
Our ability to critically think is the most powerful strength that we possess.It has allowed us human beings to leave the protection of natural caves, to design and build homes, to make complex infrastructures and teach our young. We create beautiful artwork and write countless novels. We have the printing press, the telescope and the microchip. We build astounding land, air and sea vehicles. The quality of life we humans experience as a group exists in direct proportion to our brain power and how we use it.
Much thinking that people do is disorganized, biased, not thought through or forward looking, and hurried. In the absence of experience, reasoning, confidence and education (both formal and informal), people use feelings and intuition as guides to decision making. This often leads to flawed decisions and unwanted consequences in life. Feelings and intuition are critical parts of the thinking process. However, they must to be backed up with knowledge, experience and wisdom.
In a world where common sense is at a premium, companies are starved for people who can take on a wide array of tasks, make well thought out decisions and think through issues.
Critical thinking is a skill that anyone can improve. It just takes time, patience and a willingness to get out of ones box.
In the box!
Key Elements of Critical Thinking
There are several key elements of critical thinking. Some key ones are:
- A Curious and Open Mind (Blog 2 of 5)
- Thinking Through Issues (Blog 3 of 5)
- Analyze Issues from Multiple View Points (Blog 4 of 5)
- Intuitive and Non-Intuitive Thinking (Blog 5 of 5)
In next 4 Blogs we will explore each of these key elements in more depth.
“There is nothing more uncommon than common sense!”
~ Frank Lloyd Wright
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