Critical Thinking in Action

Now that we’ve gone over the different thinking types, how about we watch them in action?

Scenario explanation

Dr. Beck Watts, Dr. Allen and their team of psychologists are training EI with CQ and CI (Communication Intelligence).

In this video, Dr. Beck provides a real-world example to EI. By using a recent sustainability project as an example, he aims to illustrate how different types of thinking patterns often complicate problem-solving. However, he also demonstrates how a CCC Thinker asks the right questions and provides concrete solutions.

The scene shows EI Robot and four human characters on a Zoom call — all in separate places.

Dr. Beck and Dr. Allen are demonstrating to EI through this meeting how certain types of thinking can help or block situations. The learning objective for EI is to become aware of the thinking types first and then become aware of how important critical thinking is to solving problems or simply making progress versus being blocked.

Each of the human characters are professionals and highly experienced in their respective fields. They also display very different types of thinking styles. EI does not know the thinking style of each person until the end.

Conversation analysis

Joel Taylor:
“What is the product? What is the move towards sustainability based upon? And why is this decision important for them today?”

Joel Taylor:
“Another couple of questions, if that’s okay? This is going to be costly for them. Do they have a budget to make this switch? Can they afford to drop their prices on their old stock, or will that create issues for their cash flow?”

Joel Taylor:
“Have they considered selling half of their stock for the remainder of the year at the full price and then retroactively redesign it to be a hybrid product while they are building their full, sustainable product for the following year?”

El (speaking to Joel Taylor):
“Can you attend a task force meeting to discuss the data analysis required for this transition?”

Joel Taylor (responding to El):
“Yes. It’s my background so I’d be delighted.”

The Conscious Creative Critical Thinker shows that they’re accountable for everything they propose. They have real intentions to understand the problem and offered their expertise to find solutions. They are willing to actively listen, consciously participate, and critically assess their own bias and skills.