Critical Thinking
Brennan Jacoby
Limited availability - Upon request
Dr. Brennan Jacoby is a philosopher and the founder of Philosophy at Work, a collective of philosophers, business psychologists, academics and authors helping businesses think their best. Brennan holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D in philosophy, and his doctoral work analysed trust in the context of interpersonal relationships and corporate character. With Philosophy at Work, he helps businesses and their people develop the thinking skills needed to thrive in an everchanging professional landscape. Recent projects include helping Deloitte cultivate a growth mindset, supporting The Wellcome Trust to explore trust in healthcare, and enhancing curiosity across Sony Music’s global community. In addition to his role with Philosophy at Work, Brennan is a fellow at the Royal Society of the Arts. Originally from Detroit Michigan, he studied in Sydney, Australia and is now based in the UK.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
The World Economic Forum lists critical thinking as a top skill needed for professional success in today’s economy. Maybe that’s because this core thinking skill supports problem-solving, breaks down echo chambers, and helps sort fact from fiction. Our take on critical thinking is that the teams we work with already know how to think, but busyness and pressure mean that they’re not always thinking their best.
In this Critical Thinking session we practice positive and pragmatic ways to slow down and think carefully so that participants are better able to think their best, spot opportunities and stay sharp.
Interaction
Key Learnings
Participants will leave with:
- Clarity about what critical thinking is and what it can bring to their work;
- A step-by-step process for spotting thinking traps;
- Greater cognitive confidence to think for themselves and share their ideas.
Detailed session description
The World Economic Forum lists critical thinking as a top skill needed for professional success in today’s economy. Maybe that’s because this core thinking skill supports problem-solving, breaks down echo chambers, and helps sort fact from fiction. Our take on critical thinking is that the teams we work with already know how to think, but busyness and pressure mean that they’re not always thinking their best.
In this Critical Thinking session we practice positive and pragmatic ways to slow down and think carefully so that participants are better able to think their best, spot opportunities and stay sharp.
Session outline:
- The landscape of critical thinking: What it is and how it helps teams spot threats, identify opportunities, and stay sharp.
- The practice of positive critique: How to think critically with others, without being critical.
- Spotting Bias: How to spot assumptions and avoid thinking traps.
- Everyday analysis: A roadmap for building critical thinking into your work.
Participants will leave with:
- Clarity about what critical thinking is and what it can bring to their work;
- A step-by-step process for spotting thinking traps;
- Greater cognitive confidence to think for themselves and share their ideas.
Other Sessions by this Speaker
Critical Thinking and AI
The World Economic Forum has called critical thinking "the one skill we all need in the age of AI”. Some interpret such claims as cautionary assertions meant to galvanize professional scepticism in response to AI’s limitations (e.g. hallucinations, confirmation bias and privacy concerns). But re-sharpening critical thinking skills can also unlock potential when it comes to best practice in the AI age. Systematically checking your thinking and the thinking carried out by tech has the power to differentiate the value you bring to your work. It can support efficiency and expand your effectiveness. The trick is knowing how and when to think with AI. In this session, we will do two main things. First, we will develop a more nuanced understanding of the distinct strengths and limitations of both AI and ourselves when it comes to thinking (i.e. analysing information, generating knowledge and developing wisdom). Secondly, we will pick up pragmatic tools for practicing critical thinking at three key interactions with AI: how we conceptualise the value of AI; how we engineer prompts; and how we assess the quality of AI output.Participants will leave this session with more confidence about how to strategically leverage AI while maintaining excellence in their work.Reviews