What is critical thinking?

There are many ways to define critical thinking. One research paper from 1987 defines it as an “intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information.” A simpler definition is, “thinking in which you question, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and make a judgment about what you read, hear, say, or write.”

In the Coffee With Digital Trailblazers gatherings I host weekly on LinkedIn Live, critical thinking was identified as a top skill in the episode on reskilling mid-career leaders. In the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, employers list aspects of critical thinking, including analytical and creative thinking, as the most sought-after core skills.

“It’s critical for organizations to create an atmosphere where questioning assumptions is expected, diverse perspectives are welcomed, and decisions are based on evidence rather than hierarchy or intuition,” says Raluca Rusu, CEO of R Systems Europe. “Equally important is fostering psychological safety so people feel comfortable challenging ideas, admitting uncertainty, and learning from experimentation without fear of blame.”