Early in our career – or anytime in our career – we often encounter workplace challenges that seem overwhelming. We really like how Sheila breaks down an overwhelming problem into its piece parts with the socratic method to provide guidance for how to tackle big career challenges. The dragons don’t look so scary then! – InPower Editors
In 4th grade, our school hosted a pilot class for Critical Thinking skills. We were encouraged to use Socratic Questioning to analyze and evaluate information gathered from observation, experience, reasoning and collaboration with our classmates in order to complete assignments, or develop opinions.
We took to it like seals to water, and no subject was safe from our lofty and impassioned discourse! Our poor, unprepared parents were accosted daily with debates ranging from bedtimes to my personal favorite, why I was never going to use long division in my career as an artist. No luck though — I still had to do my homework.
I’m certainly grateful to my folks for making me stick with the math, however, the ability to address challenges using critical thinking methods has literally turned me into a knight prepared for battle with any dragon.
Charting the unknown
Maps used to be marked with images of mythical creatures or chilling statements like “Here be Dragons”, to indicate unchartered territories or waters. It was meant to instill fear, or at least a healthy respect for the unknown. Sometimes, I think, we do that mentally in business and our careers, too. We don’t know enough about a particular job, or boss, or a certification to pursue, so we mark it in our minds as “dragon territory” and skirt those subjects or people when we’re uncomfortable.
It takes practice, but using the Socratic Questioning method really can break down overwhelming career monsters into smaller, approachable pieces. Once you are able to stop, question, analyze, and collaborate with others on the issues – every time, all of the time — you will be able to develop your own Critical Thinking Independence.
Critical thinking – a career example
Let’s say you have been meaning to ask your boss for a raise and have been concerned about rocking the boat, or worse yet, them saying “no”. Let’s not think about the dragon as a whole – let’s break him down into manageable parts – keeping in mind this is just an example and there are many other possible factors in your own work-life. Follow this chart to wend the trail from “why do I want a raise?” all the way to “what should I do if my boss says ‘no’?”
You’ll find that this exercise becomes easier to do over time, and applicable to many different situations. Soon you will move from emotional, to empirical, decision-making. And eventually from having lots of data and making good decision, to being informed and making wise decisions.
Take charge of your career development to get the job that supports your work and your life. Check out the tools and resources in the InPower Coaching Career Center as well as the InPower Coaching EQ at Work and Soft Skills Research Index.
