Are You Really a Critical Thinker?

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Everyone thinks they’re a good critical thinker.

Especially experts.
Especially leaders.
Even you and me.

But here's the uncomfortable truth:

Few people actually are.

And the gap is bigger than most realize.

96.1% of employers say critical thinking is essential. Yet only 55.9% believe new graduates demonstrate it.

That’s a 40.2% gap—and it’s growing.

The disconnect likely stems from how we teach versus how we apply knowledge.

But that’s a story for another day (let me know if you want me to share more on that).

And it’s not just graduates.

Even experienced professionals get trapped:

• Solving the wrong problems

• Trusting faulty assumptions

• Confusing cleverness with clarity

Which reminds me of another uncomfortable truth: Technical thinking is not the same as critical thinking.

Being great at solving technical problems doesn’t automatically make you great at framing the right problems, challenging assumptions, or future-proofing your ideas.

I cannot tell you how many times I talk with experts who think their technical brilliance will automatically translate into influence, leadership, and impact.

But…without critical thinking, technical skills eventually hit a leadership ceiling.

No matter how much you know.

No matter how good your intentions.

So, the real question isn't "Are you smart?"

It’s: "Are you truly a critical thinker?"

The 3 Quiet Red Flags That Indicate You Might Not Be a Critical Thinker

If you're serious about sharpening your edge, watch out for these:

1. You Solve Fast, But You Solve the Wrong Problems

You pride yourself on being efficient.
You get to solutions quickly.

But speed without depth is dangerous.

If you rush past framing the real problem, you waste energy solving symptoms, not root causes.

2. You Trust Your First Impressions Too Much

Confidence feels good.

But unchecked confidence can blind you.

When you assume you know what’s happening based on gut feeling, past experience, or surface data—you miss critical information hiding underneath.

3. You Mistake Complexity for Good Thinking

You use complex jargon.
You present intricate arguments.

But if your thinking isn't clear enough to explain simply, you're masking confusion—not demonstrating mastery.

How Critical Thinking Really Works

Forget the myths. Forget the buzzwords.

• It’s not about being negative.

• It’s not about doubting everything.

• It’s not about applying logic blindly, no matter the context.

It’s about:

• Questioning assumptions

• Analyzing arguments

• Evaluating different perspectives

• Reaching a well-supported conclusion

Critical thinkers operate with a mindset of structured curiosity:

• They interrogate assumptions.

• They pressure-test ideas against real-world friction.

• They adapt solutions to shifting environments.

Critical thinking → trust in your judgment → expanded influence.

If people trust how you think, they're more likely to trust what you say—and follow where you lead.

Sharpening Your Critical Thinking

If you’re ready to elevate your critical thinking (without overwhelming yourself), here’s your tool: The SHARP Framework

Let’s get it:

S: Slow Down to Frame the Real Problem

They’re great solutions to the wrong problems.

Before proposing anything:

• Rewrite the problem in 3 radically different ways

• Force yourself to question surface-level symptoms

• Look for the deeper pattern underneath the obvious pain

You’ll surface hidden angles you would have otherwise missed.

Instead of "Sales are down, we need better ads"
Try "What if the real problem is churn, not conversion?"

Frame the right problem, and half the solution is already done.

H: Hunt for Hidden Assumptions

If you don't find them early, they'll find you later.

After framing the problem and before acting:

• Ask “What must be true for this to work?”

• List the assumptions you’re making without proof

• Challenge every “obvious” belief you haven’t tested

Instead of "Customers always want more features"
Try "What if customers actually want fewer distractions?"

Expose assumptions early — before they expose you later (and blow up your project).

A: Attack Your Own Idea

And it won’t be pretty.

Before pitching anything:

• Play your own devil’s advocate

• List the 3 most likely points of failure

• Build counters for each one

Instead of "This sounds airtight to me"
Try "Where would a critic punch holes in this first?"

If your idea can survive your toughest attacks, it may just survive the real world.

R: Reverse Engineer from Outcomes

Instead of solving surface pain, build backward from the win you actually want.

Before setting priorities:

• Ask “If this succeeds wildly 3 years from now, what made it happen?”

• Identify which levers matter today

• Ruthlessly deprioritize anything that doesn't drive the long-term goal

Instead of "Let's fix what's urgent"
Try "Let’s build what’s most valuable—even if it’s harder right now."

Backwards design forces long-term clarity into today's short-term pressures.

P: Pressure-Test Under Complexity

Your thinking needs to survive more than ideal scenarios.

Before committing:

• Ask “What if this goes 20% worse than planned?”

• Stress-test the idea under political friction, chaos, or confusion

• Find your weak points—and fix them while you still can

Instead of "Everything looks good in theory"
Try "Where does this collapse when real humans get involved?"

Build your ideas to survive the real mess, not just the whiteboard version.

POLL

In Case You Missed it!

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• Minding your own business can increase your influence.

• Transform small talk into deeper connections with proven conversation strategies

The Bottom Line

You don’t become a critical thinker by hoping. You build it by doing.

Frame problems better.
Hunt down hidden assumptions.
Stress-test your own ideas before the world does it for you.

Real critical thinkers aren't just smart — they're intentional.

If you want to lead bigger, influence faster, and make better decisions when it counts, sharpening your thinking isn't optional. It’s the edge that lasts.

Start small. Start today. But start.

Because the best opportunities — and the biggest risks — are invisible to people who don't think critically.

Thanks for reading. Be easy!
Girvin

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