Ranking was much harder than I thought. How could I rate something as being more important than something else, when in my opinion they at times carried equal weight. I even determined that some couldn’t exist without the other. It became almost like the chicken and the egg dilemma, not knowing which came first.
1. “Each time the learner temporarily exits the box to take a fresh view of life, it is not to throw the person into a state of chaos or abandonment of absolutes, but to give a moment where thoughts can be free to explore other possible points of view or to reflect on habits and unconscious actions that are rooted in their beliefs. Once challenged or left open for review, a critical analysis can be made, conclusions drawn and a shifted belief or value stabilized, by restating or redesigning their box.” Source: Unit 3 Notes: MA Lead Student Christel Davidson’s Jan. 9th blog post entitled ‘Designing Our Boxes’
Image courtesy of www.cavemommas.com
This point is essential because in order to grow and learn, we need to start from where we are at currently (whatever box that we are in). Critical thinking, like any journey in life, needs a starting point in order to move forward. Once we have defined where we are currently at, and had the opportunity to assess, absorb, reflect upon and analyze new information, we are able to determine our next steps and create a new box for ourselves.
Continual learning is essential to growth and development, otherwise our conclusions and views are at risk of becoming stagnant. As Christel mentions in her post, we don’t want to get stuck in the same box forever. As leaders, it is important to constantly redesign our boxes as we grow and learn. This is beneficial not only for ourselves but also essential for the success and growth of our team. In order to step out of our current box and into another, requires us to step out of our comfort zones. It is through this process that we truly grow and learn. Learning definitely can be messy and that messiness needs to be celebrated as part of the process. By sharing our journey with others, especially our mistakes, we all have the opportunity to learn and grow and redesign our boxes.
2. “Integrity stems from honesty, but is a higher more public form of action. When we act with integrity we are consciously making our personal values known to others. The interpersonal nature of integrity makes it a key component of leadership.” – Unit 3 Notes, (ibid, p. 77)
Courtesy of Brene Brown, Rising Strong (2015)
Without integrity, it doesn’t matter how smart a person is, or how well they get along with others. A leader without integrity is nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The backbone of all leadership should be upholding integrity and practicing our values. In the Leadership Standards for Principals and Vice-Principals in British Columbia (2016, pp 9-11) developed by the BCPVPA Standards Committee; integrity and moral stewardship is listed first. It specifies that leaders need to foster and care for a demonstrated, clear, and consistent alignment between ethical authenticity and the moral purpose of education. Part of that includes having to articulate the process of decision making using an ethical framework.
As an educational leader (or any leader), a person must demonstrate ethical authenticity by modelling courage to uphold values; especially when encountering challenges. As mentioned in the Unit 3 notes by Kavelin Popov (2004) and Rolheiser (1995) leaders acting with integrity “accept difficult consequences, quickly and visibly admit to mistakes and talk about values”. It is important to admit our errors and own the responsibility that comes along with that. Integrity should be transparent.
3. “Give others the space to speak fully, to tell you the whole story without interruption” – Unit 3 Notes
The Companioning Process to Listening Source: https: www.virtuesproject.com
The art of listening is key for several reasons. Firstly, it sends a message to the speaker that they themselves and what they are talking about is important to you, and that you care. Secondly, we learn more by genuine active listening than we do by speaking. Thirdly, by listening without prejudice or judgement we can process information much more logically and critically. Fourthly, listening demonstrates empathy and enables us to see things from a different lens or perspective. If we do not listen and only rely on what we think we already know, we will never learn or grow.
At http://www.virtuesproject.com on their home page, they describe listening as one of the greatest gifts that we have to give stating “it is our presence, our compassionate, attentive listening” that means the most to people. The website also provides a diagram that helps explain the process of listening and the steps that need to be taken. They refer to it as “The Companioning Process”. First, you need to open the door, offer receptive silence, ask cup-emptying questions, get to the heart of the matter, ask virtues reflection questions, ask closure and integration questions and then provide a virtues acknowledgement. By following these simple steps, they are demonstrating active listening.
4. “How long should you remain silent? When you think you have been silent long enough, be silent a little more” – Unit 3 Notes
Image courtesy of www.morethanasundayfaith.com
I love this! How often are people half listening to someone while focusing more on what they themselves are going to say next, or turning something that is being shared into their own story? It’s not only annoying for the speaker but also disrespectful.
Silence allows for contemplation, reflection and process. As leaders (or human beings in general), we shouldn’t be so quick in our replies, and take the time to process what is really being said instead.
5. “Learning is a consequence of thinking. Retention, understanding, and the active use of knowledge can be brought about only by learning experiences which learners think about and think with what they are learning” (Perkins,1992, Smart Schools) as quoted in Ritchart, R., Church, M., Morrison K., (2011, p.26). Making Thinking Visible: How to Produce Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners
I love how simply Perkins (1992) in his book Smart Schools as quoted by Richart, Church and Morrison in their book Making Thinking Visible: How to Produce Engagement, Understanding and Independence for all Learners (2011, p.26) summarizes learning.
We need to think in order to learn.
As life long learners, as leaders, we need to think about what we are learning and use what we are learning to think!
6. People who think critically “are keenly aware of the inherently flawed nature of human thinking when left unchecked. They strive to diminish the power of their egocentric and sociocentric tendencies.” Source: http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
Image courtesy of www.thelivingyogablog.com
People who make decisions based on their own pre-conceived notions and beliefs are not critical thinkers. People who make decisions based on the voices and opinions from their social groups and upbringing are not critical thinkers.
Leaders who practice and build their critical thinking skills rely on factual information and the truth. It is important to be aware of the biases that can creep into our subconscious while we are making decisions. Our egos need to be left at the door!
This was also touched upon by Mark Sanborn in the video clip link entitled The Importance of Critical Thinking. Effective leaders are those who seek the truth and rely on factual information rather than conjecture. Highly successful people are also healthy skeptics who only want to believe what is true.
7. “Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking.” Source: http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
Thinking critically is something that we need to take full responsibility for, we can’t expect others to do it for us! The best part about this sentence is that critical thinking is self-corrective. As mentioned in a prior point, learning is messy and we learn best from our mistakes. We are always able to correct our thinking once we become aware of additional information. It is important to be open minded to allow for this process to happen.
8. “Knowledge is power and also a responsibility. Servant leaders want the best for the people they lead.” – Source (Chong, 2015) as quoted in Unit 3 Notes.
Image Courtesy of: https://www.parenting.in/knowledge-is-power.html
It is important to stay on top of our game and stay current in our knowledge. As a Department Head, I attend professional development days and workshops so that I can come back and share my knowledge with the rest of my team. Having knowledge without sharing it, doesn’t allow for the opportunity for others to grow which is one of the key elements of servant leadership (Northouse, 2019).
9. “You will be able to provide a calmer and thoughtful voice with less judgement and more nuances.” – Source (Chong, 2015) as quoted in Unit 3 Notes.
The more knowledge I gain, the more tools I collect in my toolbox. I use these tools and this knowledge during those tough conversations with parents, students or other staff members. It is much easier to stay calm, focused and project a servant leadership style during challenging situations when we refer to our past experiences and knowledge. It enables people to feel like their concerns have genuinely been acknowledged in a safe and welcoming environment free from judgement.
10. “Are there biases or stereotypes represented in what I’m reading?” – Source Unit 3 Notes
Image courtesy of: https://betterhumans.coach.me/cognitive-bias-cheat-sheet-55a472476b18
Critical thinkers need to know how to determine the validity of a source, whether that be listening to a story, reading an article online, watching a video etc., There are some key questions to ask to when determining bias. A few are:
- Who is the author of the information?
- What do they have to gain by sharing this information? (money, political, social or personal agenda, marketing etc.,)
- When was this information written, provided? (Is it still relevant and current?)
- Who funded the study (if there is one?)
- Website domain address (helps determine validity and authenticity of information)
- The numbers used in the data collected (can it also be substantiated?)
It is very interesting to read your blog as it is enriched with a lot of knowledge and ranking seems to be so perfect, i’m curious to know I didn’t find about importance of journal in critical thinking, do you think they are of less importance as compared to 10 th mentioned point
what are your views reagrding the same ?
Thank you !
Hi Bantu, Thanks for your question. The difference with journal articles is that when they are peer reviewed, they have already been approved as meeting the requirements for quality research in a specific discipline. That being said, biases do and can creep into our writing whether we mean for them to or not. Even in the scholarly world, there are a lot of opinions (even on the definition and traits of successful leadership) where writers can successfully present an argument for their position without there being a singular right answer. It is up to us to be able to critically analyze, and reflect upon what we are reading. As mentioned on the site http://www.criticalthinking.org, a well cultivated critical thinker;”raises vital questions and gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively.” This applies to both the writer and the reader.
Another beautifully written blog, I always enjoy reading your content. I would like to talk about your first point about the getting out of our comfort zone i.e. boxes. I completely agree with you on that but do you think it is important to teach people to do that more often because most people like to stay in their comfort zone and their boxes as they feel safe there. It takes a good amount of effort to get them or even ourselves out of our comfort zone. I feel it is not talked about enough and not taught enough. As a teacher what steps do you take in order to encourage your students to keep getting out of their boxes and growing as well as to help and guide the ones who already are jumping into chaos while building new boxes?
Thank you Sehaj for your feedback, it is always appreciated! Thanks for your question. I totally agree with you that it can be difficult at times to encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and move on from their current boxes. This applies to both students and other staff members. I love Brene Brown’s books as she has written a lot on the subject of having courage to be vulnerable in order to grow and learn. I have found her to be extremely inspiring both personally and professionally. As a teacher, the first thing that I need to do is create an environment where students feel safe to try new things without fear of judgement. I always start of by sharing with them a diagram that illustrates about how learning is supposed to be messy. The path to mastering new skills is not a straight trajectory, but full of ups and downs. It is through both the ups and downs that we grow the most and are able to scaffold our learning to create a new box for ourselves.There are fantastic videos around famous people who failed before they succeeded. Most students can relate to their beginning stories and recognize themselves. For the ones who are jumping willingly into the chaos, I am there to encourage, guide and mentor if needed. The new curriculum is built around 6 core competencies (from K-12), and learning how to think critically and Self reflect is a great first step in moving from one box to another.