Solving problems requires strategic thinking – a disciplined process of skillfully analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to arrive at sound decisions. These courses introduce participants to practical methods for strategically thinking to best solve problems.
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| Choosing and Using the Best Solution | The time has come to make a final decision. In this course, participants will learn how to make smart decisions based on key criteria and decision-making styles. They will also learn how to plan, manage, evaluate, and celebrate solution implementation. | 25 minutes |
| Confronting Your Assumptions | Assumptions are necessary to help us make sense of our world. That said, the critical thinker knows assumptions can get in the way of rational decision making. When solving problems, it's necessary to use strategic thinking to challenge our assumptions and find the right solutions. This course defines what assumptions are, describes how different kinds of assumptions may be challenged, and covers the importance of seeking out other people's perspectives. | 24 minutes |
| Critical Thinking | Critical thinking is useful for examining an issue or problem logically. This Challenge Series explores applying the critical thinking process. | 15 minutes |
| Developing Your Business Ethics | It's not always easy to decide between right and wrong at work. Making ethical decisions can help discern the right thing to do in difficult situations. In this course, participants will learn some common myths about business ethics. They will also learn about different approaches to ethics, the values and standards in a typical code of conduct, and how to develop a code. Additionally, they will learn ways to overcome obstacles to ethical behavior and steps for making ethical decisions. | 26 minutes |
| Getting to the Root of a Problem | Solving problems requires strategic thinking. One needs to ask the right people the right questions to get to the source of the issue and find the solution. In this course, participants will learn about identifying stakeholders, gaining their input and trust, and using analysis techniques to get to the root cause of a problem. | 27 minutes |
| Investigating Arguments | Debating an argument is part of reaching a logical conclusion and solving problems. In this course, participants will learn to use strategic thinking to identify and judge arguments, recognize logical fallacies and persuasion techniques, and make effective arguments. | 27 minutes |
| Reaching Sound Conclusions | When drawing conclusions, strategic thinking is needed to analyze and weigh the data and information to support taking action. In this course, participants will learn how to recognize the critical-thinking activities associated with reaching a sound conclusion, how to employ effective questions, use tools to help conclude findings, and create an action plan for putting conclusions into practice when solving problems. | 21 minutes |
| Turning Problems Around with Reverse Brainstorming | This Business Impact explores the technique of reverse brainstorming - a process that helps teams to think obliquely and explore problems in an unconventional manner. | 6 minutes |