Let’s think about thinking

Here are some components of thinking and some notes I made about myself and the world at large.

Components

1. Perception: The process of taking in sensory information and making sense of it. I sense the weather every day but am not sure about climate change. To misquote Sherlock Holmes, we see but we do not observe.

2. Attention: The ability to focus on specific information while ignoring distractions. Wow, social media has taken me down into more rabbit holes than Bugs Bunny. I’m afraid that the TikTok Generation is losing the ability to concentrate. (But that’s what my uncle used to say about me and my comic book collection.)

3. Memory: The ability to store and retrieve information. I’m in my 70s and I think about this a lot. And I was talking with my old friend What’s His Name the other day about this. He worries as well.

4. Language: The use of words and symbols to convey meaning. For example, the term “woke” is used a lot these days to form strong opinions. I don’t know the real definition and I’m afraid I’m not alone. I’m concerned that we use too many words and acronyms without knowing their real meaning. See if you can explain socialism, fascism, ESG, or DEI to a ten-year old.

5. Problem-solving: The process of finding solutions to complex problems. Here’s my big concern – we do not spend time defining the real (and complex) problem before throwing solutions at symptoms.

6. Decision-making: The process of evaluating options and making choices. We’re about to enter “election season” and too many of us will let the crowd make our decision. My friends on the left and right will be temped to follow “the party line.” Not good – they may let someone else determine their vote.

7. Creativity: The ability to generate novel ideas and solutions. Too many big businesses want creativity but succumb to the fear of the downside – success is not guaranteed. But this is good for the real entrepreneurs among us – they accept the risks.

8. Critical thinking: The process of analyzing and evaluating information to form a judgment or make a decision. Wow! This is in short supply today. It’s a teachable set of skills that we assume will just happen as we and others get our formal education. Not so.

9. Metacognition: The ability to think about one’s own thinking. Too many people are afraid to be alone with their own thoughts and keep music or a podcast running through their head. I dare you to keep a journal and write about what’s running through your head.

Next time

I’ll outline a course that I’m developing – a blend of “bigger boxes” and improving business thinking. We need to think bigger and smaller and better. No choice — the world is changing before our eyes.

Please

I’m still trying to expand my mailing list. Send this along to colleagues and see if they’re interested in getting on the list. They can do so HERE.

Bill