EN

This page was translated from Dutch with AI.

Critical thinking

You want to think more sharply, argue better and get stuck in assumptions less often. In this in-company Critical thinking training, you learn to detect thinking errors and engage in constructive dialogue. The training consists of 4 half-days for 6 to 12 participants, in Dutch or English.

Critical thinking: recognise thinking errors and make better decisions
Critical thinking: recognise thinking errors and make better decisions

Request a tailored programme

Do you recognise this?

In the meeting, a colleague proposes a plan and everyone nods. You feel that something is off, but you cannot immediately say what. You also do not quite dare to ask what the plan is based on, for fear that it sounds like criticism.

Later you notice that you yourself had also jumped to a conclusion, without knowing how you got there. That makes you doubt your own judgement.

Critical thinking sounds simple, until you are right in the middle of it yourself. Perhaps you recognise this:

  • you make many assumptions and your train of thought is not always clear;
  • you sometimes get stuck in a circle of thinking;
  • it is difficult to build an argument;
  • you block when you have to challenge a certain train of thought;
  • you do not know when you are reflecting and evaluating correctly.

That costs you quality in decisions and in conversations with your team.

Why is sharp thinking so difficult?

Our brain loves quick conclusions. It fills gaps with assumptions and makes us believe what we already thought. Without you noticing, you go around in a circle or you follow the group.

That costs you quality in decisions and in conversations. You keep doubting whether you are asking the right questions, and discussions get stuck because no one dares to ask further questions.

It does not have to stay this way. Critical thinking is a skill you can train, just like a muscle.

How do you learn to think clearly and critically?

You can learn to see how you think. With the ladder of inference you discover how you go from observation to conclusion, and where things can go wrong along the way.

Our coaches know that feeling that something is not right. In the half-days you explore thinking errors such as confirmation bias and groupthink, and you learn conversation and questioning techniques with which you can constructively challenge, in yourself and in others.

You work with cases from your own work situation and after the training you apply what you have learned to your own case, together with your coach. This way you grow step by step towards the results below.

What you can do after the training

After the training you can:

  • evaluate ideas and problems in an objective way;
  • identify critical points for failure or success;
  • intercept thinking errors, in yourself and in others;
  • engage in dialogue with teammates in a constructive way;
  • make better decisions.

This is how we approach it

The training consists of 4 half-days. In each half-day we first present the general framework. Then you immediately put the principles and techniques into practice, with examples and cases from your own work situation.

Becoming aware of your own critical thinking ability

You work on the critical thinking process and on the quality of your perception and way of thinking.

  • The definition of critical thinking, epistemology and meta-cognition (reflecting on your own thinking).
  • How the brain works and what characterises effective critical thinking.
  • The ladder of inference: recognising, interpreting, drawing conclusions.
  • Thinking errors such as confirmation bias, attribution bias, authority bias and anchoring effect.
  • Pitfalls such as egocentric thinking, groupthink, assumptions, reductionist, circular and mechanistic thinking and generalising.
  • Using the logical levels of information with 5W1H questions.

Critical thinking to communicate and collaborate better

You use critical thinking in conversations, discussions, dialogue, debate, brainstorming and decision making.

  • Critical thinking in the professional context, with a link to Agile principles and techniques.
  • Feedback as an instrument to enrich your own and the collective thinking ability.
  • Dealing with negative criticism and constructively challenging thinking errors.
  • Conversation as a space, process versus content and meta-communication.
  • Conversation and questioning techniques that lead to constructive outcomes.

Aftercare

After the training you apply your sharpened critical thinking ability to your own case. You report back on this online with each other and with your coach.

After that you keep practising

Every training is extended in the THOC Learning Space. Your material remains available and you get an AI Coach who knows the lesson.

We work in an experience-oriented way: you constantly get to work with the theory in practical exercises with which you learn to apply your skills in real situations.

Who gives this training

Any of our coaches can give this training. Tell us which issues your team is struggling with, and together we will create a programme.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Critical thinking training for?

For professionals and teams who want to argue better, recognise thinking errors and discuss more constructively. It is an in-company training, so we work with cases from your own work situation.

How long does the training take?

The training consists of 4 half-days. The first two are about your own thinking process, the last two about critical thinking in communication and collaboration. After the training, an aftercare assignment on your own case follows.

How many participants do you work with?

With six to twelve participants per group. This way there is room to practise, work out cases and challenge each other's thinking.

In which language is the training given?

In Dutch or English. Let us know which language your team prefers, and we will take that into account in our proposal.

How much does the training cost?

Every training is tailored, so we work with a quote after we have heard your request. Do you want to combine critical thinking with other skills? Then view our tailored training.

Practical details

  • Formula: In-company training
  • Languages: English, Dutch
  • Half-days: 4
  • Participants: 6 to 12

Request a tailored programme

Read more

More on this topic

  • Analytical thinking

    Learn to break down problems and combine ideas into new solutions. In-company training Analytical thinking in four half-days for 6 to 12 participants.

  • Creative thinking

    Come up with creative solutions and facilitate brainstorming sessions. In-company training in 4 half-days for 6 to 12 participants, in Dutch or English.

  • Debating techniques

    Debate with confidence and persuade with structure, body language and argumentation. In-company training in 2 half-days for 6 to 12 participants, in three languages.

  • Problem-solving thinking

    Learn to track down the core of a problem and solve it sustainably. In-company training of 4 half-days for 6 to 12 participants, in Dutch or English.

QR code of this page

thehouseofcoaching.com/en/kritisch-denken

Scan with your phone to open the page.