A500.5.3.RB - Critical Thinking about Critical Thinking

I made the assumption that most of the material would be focused on organizational leadership when I made the decision to pursue my master’s degree in leadership. Organizational leadership just seemed like the logical focus since organizations are where most leaders operate and most of us are in some type of organization.  Right?  Wrong.  Not only did I make another assumption about what material this course would focus on, but I assumed that everyone had the same intention for pursuing their Master’s degree in leadership.  My current position as a program coordinator has forced me to have an analytical mind.  I perform audits and evaluate processes on a daily basis so analyzing is essential towards being successful.  I actually thrive in this environment because I have found over the years that I instinctively analyze things.  Things like people, processes, and basically anything else I come in contact with.  I believed I understood this process to the fullest extent before I began this course (Leadership Foundation in Research).  When I received my textbook Learning to think things through: A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum (Nosich, 2012), I noticed it didn’t even mention leadership.  This confused me a bit.  I mean, I am taking a leadership course.  However, I now realize that I was not an expert on analyzing, critical thinking and analyzing are two different things, and I was not practicing critical thinking to the fullest extent possible. 

 

I have already noticed a difference in the way I approach things in my career, at home, and life in general from the few weeks of learning about critical thinking.  There are many interpretations and terms associated with critical thinking such as reasonable, reflective, and authentic.  But I think that Richard Paul defines critical thinking best in stating, “critical thinking is thinking about your thinking, while you’re thinking, in order to make your thinking better” (Nosich, 2012, p. 2).  That is a simple yet profound summary of critical thinking.  A few areas I have studied within the critical thinking process have given me a better understanding of what critical thinking is and how it works.  For example, there are elements of reasoning and standards of critical thinking.  I exhibited the element of making an assumption in my aforementioned example about what I assumed in regards to this course.  I learned that making an assumption is acceptable because there is no starting point to when reasoning.  And the SEE-I process has become essential in my critical thinking.  SEE-I has made things I am working on much clearer, especially in my academics.  I am just starting to be able to put what I have learned into practice.  I know if I continue to familiarize myself with critical thinking, it will only lead to a better understanding and positive changes in all aspects of my life.  I believe I can accomplish familiarizing myself and becoming more comfortable with the process through genuinely learning my textbook and continuously applying it to my academics, my career, and life.  I understand using a textbook is only part of making positive changes to the way I think.  I will also use my experiences to progress, shape my thinking, and grow.

Nosich, G. M. (2012). Learning to think things through: A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum (4th edition). Boston, MA: Pearson.

A500.4.3.RB - Ballet Slippers or Adorable?

As Americans, we are born into a culture where choices are the norm.  To be denied choices, no matter how minor or significant the consequences of the choices may have, seems unthinkable through an American’s perspective.  We are given almost limitless choices throughout our lives, from our favorite toys, television to watch, products to buy, our marriage partner, where to live, how to live, and everything else in between.  Early in my Air Force career I participated in a leadership course and one of my instructor’s would say a phrase multiple times throughout the day, “You ALWAYS have a choice”.  Such a simple statement, yet there is also a deep meaning that goes along with it because it is tough to comprehend that we always have a choice.  However, that statement holds true with few exceptions.  Applying that statement has allowed me to understand the impacts when making a decision.  Dr. Iyengar’s video on the art of choosing delves deeper into the assumptions Americans have when making choices.  Specifically, she discussed three assumptions: Make your own choices.  More options leads to better choices. Never say no to choice.

“Make your own choices.”  American culture believes that making our own choices is always the best option.  We think making decisions on our own makes us more individualistic.  Dr. Iyengar performed an experiment where children from two different cultures (American and Asian) were given anagrams to solve.  Some children were allowed to solve the anagrams how they wanted to, some were directed to solve from the instruction of an adult, and some were to solve anagrams based on what their mothers had chosen.  The results revealed that the American children did best when they were allowed to choose the puzzles and the Asian children did best when they thought they were solving the puzzles their mother selected.  The results of the experiment could possibly relate to education or intelligence, but it is more likely related to culture.  Dr. Iyengar sums it up best by saying, “It is a mistake to assume that everyone thrives under the pressure of choosing alone.”  I could not agree more with Dr. Iyengar’s explanation of this assumption.  What works for one person, does not necessarily means it works for another.    From a leadership perspective, when a leader is faced with choices, it is ultimately up to them to make a decision on which choice is the best for the situation.   I think it is important to make the distinction between choices and decisions.  Choices are presented, whereas decisions are made.  Leaders are given choices, and they may have to narrow the choices, but they have the final say as to what to decide to choose.

“More options leads to better choices.”  I have to agree with Dr. Iyengar in that more options do not always lead to better choices.  This assumption is one I have pondered about in great depth.  We are given so many options and have accepted that having more options is better than not having enough.  This may hold true in some circumstances, but I have found when given too many options I become overwhelmed with making the best selection.  The pressure to choose the best option simply becomes exhausting and I find myself wishing I had fewer options.  It was interesting to see how our culture plays a part in the perspective of choice when it came to the soda options.  Not all brands of soda are the same through my American eyes, but other cultures may disagree.  For example, I see seven brands of soda as seven options, where a different culture may see seven brands of soda as one option.   More options for a leader may not necessarily result in better choices, but having more options may increase the likelihood of a better decision.  A leader wants the best result from their decision and when given options, they can weigh the pros and cons of each.  However, as options increase, so does the complexity of trying to figure out which option is best to achieve results.   Having too many options, especially when a quick decision needs to be made, can have a negative impact on any leader if they are not careful. 

“Never say no to choice.”  Once again, I agree with Dr. Iyengar’s assessment of this assumption.  Usually when the words never and always are used in regards to human behavior, the statements in which they are used are rarely proven factual.  To suggest to never say no to choice infers that always having a choice is best.  Dr. Iyengar reveals through her experiment involving American and French parents that not having a choice can sometimes yield better results.  Despite the same events occurring to all of the families, it was astounding to see how the American parents were much more negatively impacted.  Dr. Iyengar believes that this was a result of the American culture putting such high importance on the power of choice.  Consequently, the American parents ended up consumed with guilt and sometimes depression because they had to make the inevitable choice to end their newborn’s life.  When it comes to leadership, sometimes believing that there is no other choice is a good thing.  For example, typically when reprimanding, leaders may use the phrase, “you have given me no other choice but to...”  Sometimes a leader realizes they have choices, but the best option is to make a choice that may not be one they enjoy executing.  Successful leaders accept the risk and responsibility of choice.

Lastly, Dr. Iyengar’s experiment on nail polish further supports how there are many factors involved in choices.  Cultures, values, traits, beliefs, interests are all some factors that come into play when someone makes a choice.  We have all been shaped by something that effects why we choose what we choose.  To her point, just because a product sounds more appealing, does not automatically make it a superior product.  As an American, I am no different in the numerous ways I am influenced every day.  Despite these assumptions, I am still happy to have abundant choices, as I would not want it any other way.

A500.3.4.RB - Explore the Hunt Library

I am sure I am like the majority of people who use the internet.  Like most, I use Google as my “go to” or default search engine.  Do I use Google because it is proven to be the most comprehensive search engine available?  At this point, I am not really sure what constitutes crowning a search engine as the most comprehensive.  But I do know that I use Google out of habit and it has been a dependable method of finding what I am looking for.  Whether searching for useless information such as Kim Kardashian’s latest attempt at popularity to researching information for educational purposes, I have always managed to find something relevant to my search. So when it came time to complete this assignment using Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) Hunt Library, I knew I would have to step outside my comfort zone.  I tend to embrace change (depending on the level), so I welcomed using a different research tool and the possibility I would continue to use it.  

At first glance, the online layout of the Hunt Library is very appealing and simple.  I immediately noticed the significant difference between the Hunt Library and Google.  When performing an initial search using Google, there is one area to enter the term or terms.  After the initial search is complete and results are populated, there are options to display the results as images, news, books, or videos.  Google search results will return anything and everything related to the subject being searched.  Conversely, the Hunt Library limits searches to scholarly research which is further broken down by the books, articles, and videos tabs.  In other words, the information that is populated from a search is always going to be related to academics.  Limiting searches to scholarly material is especially effective in aiding a student in finding relevant information more efficiently.  I tested the Hunt Library search function by performing a search on a subject I planned on using for another assignment and the results were extremely impressive.  

The aforementioned assignment required me to choose a journal article on a leadership topic of my choice, to which I chose leadership development.  I selected the “Articles” tab and performed my search.  I was given a lot of usable articles, but I was able to further limit my search using a filter to only journal articles.  This method proved to be much more effective than using good old trusty Google.  I did the same search using Google and there was no order to the results and I was not able to limit my results to only scholarly journal articles.  Furthermore, the Hunt Library search reveals valuable information to a student such as the citation with multiple formats and full text online with a downloadable .pdf option.  Again, this is another tool to help a student use their valuable time more efficiently and accurately.  I am excited I used the Hunt Library to prove that just because I am used to doing something a certain way does not mean it is the best way.  Despite being a little uncomfortable with stepping away from Google as my research tool for this assignment, I have definitely embraced incorporating the Hunt Library into my scholarly research regimen.

A500.2.3.RB – Tell Your Story

All of us have some type of standard or standards we live by and find important to us.  I’ve applied high quality standards against some of the things that are most important to me so I can consistently try to maintain a certain balance in life.  For example, my family is extremely important to me and I want to spend as much quality time with them as possible.  I believe that quality time is necessary and extremely important to have a great relationship with my wife and children.  I want to be a great husband and also pass along values to my children.  Quality time doesn’t mean just being in my family’s presence.  It means doing and learning things together as a cohesive unit.  Going on vacation, playing games, teaching my children how to ride a bike, watching a movie together, helping with homework, or going to church, are all great examples of spending quality time with my family.  I also try to maintain a high standard when it comes to my health.  Without your health, you truly have nothing.  I make every attempt to uphold a relatively high level of physical activity and healthy eating habits.  I’ve seen so many people suffer because their health was never a priority in their life. Health usually becomes a priority in someone’s life when a health related event occurs or when significant damage is already done.  This is not to say that just because someone has exhibited a high health standard through their life they will never have health problems.  But if I ever have a health related issue, I want to be able to at least tell myself that I did everything I could up until that point.  Additionally, I try to keep a high standard in my job and the quality of work I perform.  I want to be known as reliable, helpful, and friendly subject matter expert in my interactions with customers and coworkers.  I strive to be the best at what I do and never want to feel like I couldn’t accomplish something professionally and outside of my job.  Finally, I have a standard of simply having fun.  Whether it’s taking a ride on my motorcycle, going to a concert, or just going out to have a couple beers, this standard is vital to one’s well-being and balance.  All work and no play only leads to a life of existing, not living.  

I’ve acquired these standards through trial and error and learning what’s important to me. Additionally, observing how my actions affected others and myself has been elemental in acquiring these standards.  As a young adult, I tended to focus on different things such as money, material things, and partying.  I focused on standards that weren’t sustainable for my future.  As I matured; I learned those things won’t necessarily make me a happy person in the long run.  Over time, my family, health, career, education, and hobbies naturally became some of the more important things to me and I knew I would have to put high standards on them throughout my life to keep them important.  And, so far, so good.