Critical Thinking And Problem Solving By Eric Zackrison
Critical Thinking And Problem Solving By Eric Zackrison
In this course, longtime business owner and consultant Eric Zackrison, PhD, will show you how to critically assess sources of information and how to determine the right approach to make the best decisions. You'll also learn strategies for approaching both simple and complex problems, along with a process for taking your team through the entire life cycle of a challenging decision. Finally, you'll gain an understanding of common traps people fall into when solving problems, both individually and as a team.
Problem Solving
Decision-Making
Strategy
Content Rating: U
Episodes
1. Module 1: Introduction
00:15 min
2. Improve Your Problem Solving Skills
01:25 min
In this course, longtime business owner and consultant Eric Zackrison, PhD, will show you how to critically assess sources of information and how to determine the right approach to make the best decisions.
3. Module 2: How To Think Critically
00:20 min
4. Know Yourself
03:14 min
One of the biggest barriers to thinking critically is unrecognized biases. After watching this, you will be better able to put your biases aside and get at what is actually being said.
5. Staying Focused
03:02 min
The better able you are to get the message, the better prepared you'll be to actually evaluate it. This lesson sets you up for success by showing you how to remove barriers, both internal and external.
6. Asking Questions
02:35 min
Questions are one of the most powerful tools for better listening, better understanding, and better analyzing. After watching this, you'll have more tools in your toolbox for using questions effectively.
7. Analyzing Information
02:11 min
The information we get is not always based on solid data. This lesson sets you up to better assess the information you are getting to make sure it's reliable.
8. Module 3: Problem Solving Basics
00:20 min
9. Important Parameters
03:02 min
An odd contradiction of problem-solving is that clarity on restrictions actually leads to more freedom. After this lesson, you'll be able to assess the parameters of your decisions leading to a clearer path to solving problems.
10. Simple Problem Solving Models
03:11 min
Research shows that even a little structure leads to better decisions. After watching this, you will have several simple problem-solving models that you can apply to your own decision-making and problem-solving.
11. Complex Problem Solving Methods
03:22 min
Sometimes a simple model is not enough. This lesson gives you a tool to work through large complex problems that lead to better solutions that last.
12. Module 4: A Functional Approach
00:20 min
13. Understanding The Problem
02:03 min
The first step to solving any problem is to first make sure that everyone on the team truly understands what they are trying to solve. After watching this, you will be able to set your team on the right path by guiding them to a full understanding of what they are trying to solve.
14. Determine Your Criteria
03:06 min
Too often solutions are adopted that do not truly solve the problem. After this lesson, you'll be able to guide your team in establishing criteria for success so you have something to compare options to.
15. Find Solutions
02:44 min
The more ideas you have on the table the more likely you are to have the best solution on the table. After watching this, you will have several actionable skills to use in generating potential solutions.
16. Limit Decisions And Final Choice
02:27 min
It is not enough to just have ideas, good problem-solving uses processes to limit your choices to the best option. After watching this video, you will be able to guide your team in assessing the various choices and limiting them to the most appropriate option.
17. Implementing Your Solution
02:35 min
The work does not end when the decision is made or a solution is identified. You also have to implement the solution or decision. This lesson sets you up for making your implementation long-lasting and effective.
18. Module 5: Avoiding Traps
00:15 min
19. Avoiding Logical Fallacies
03:13 min
There are a number of common ways that we can be fooled by things that sound logical on the surface but are flawed. This lesson will help you identify some common fallacies and be able to counter them.
20. Avoiding Data Manipulation
02:41 min
The way that data is presented can be misleading. After watching this, you will be able to recognize some common data manipulation techniques and better assess the data you get.
21. Avoiding Small Group Pitfalls
03:16 min
Groups are a great way to reach high-quality solutions but also come with some common pitfalls. This lesson identifies some common pitfalls and gives you some tools to avoid them.
22. Module 6: Conclusion
00:15 min
23. Ready To Practice
01:14 min
In this episode, Eric discusses further resources to help you be better at critical thinking and problem-solving skills.