Critical Thinking Skills for Managers: A Self-Assessment Report

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Running Head: CRITICAL THINKING
CRITICAL THINKING
Student Name:
Assessor Name:
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CRITICAL THINKING
Table of Contents
Report..............................................................................................................................................3
Reason..............................................................................................................................................3
Issues................................................................................................................................................4
Theoretical concepts........................................................................................................................5
Reconstruct......................................................................................................................................5
Self-Awareness Reflection..............................................................................................................8
References:....................................................................................................................................10

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Report
Critical thinking is imperative in every industry, it is vital for the establishments and the
companies to solve the problems professionally, and that is why the managers and leaders ought
to acquire the aptitude of critical thinking. Critical thinking can be determined as the perceptive
of a character to scrutinize and impersonate pieces of evidence for different intentions rather than
straightforwardly acquiring individual argumentation as satisfactory evidence and to intensify the
method of knowledge and understanding for others’ apex of illustration (Gambrill and Gibbs
2017). Being the manager of a large retail company, it is essential for me to build up critical
thinking abilities so that I can self-discipline for my part and augment the self-corrective thinking
ability. There are two situations where I can face problems being a manager of a company and
the first one embraces the approach to lever the concerns of the team members and issues of the
consumers in the market. One of the most essential tribulations that I can facade is that if there is
a short of communication between me and the employees of the company, then it will be
inflexible for me to recognize the problems and thus, the troubles will, by no means, be solved.
For the second case, if there is a swift alteration in the demands of the customers in the market
and if there is lack of responses from them, then it will be tough for me to appreciate the matters
faced by them.
Reason
It is likely that a manager of a company will have to uphold a status quo inside an organization
and will have to knob over countless issues related to the clients and the team members inside.
The manager of a company is accountable for administration of men discreetly and it is the
utility and liability of an administrator to be in command of the deeds of the workforce within
the premise (Changethis.com. 2019). Many problems can exist in a team, and that can be a basis
of a deficit of interface and communication between the employees and the managers and hence,
being a manager, I will have to focus on understanding the savor and predilection of the workers
and the customers in the workplace and the market as well. I will have to comprehend the
problems they are facing contained by that vicinity (Serrat 2017). It is imperative to come across
the configuration of the group and see whether the facts are fluid in terms of the chain of

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command. If there is a case of oblique or parallel communication, it has to be seen that there
ought to be no dilemma in the procedure of communication. The employees, especially the team
members of a particular team can have problems with the type of work, the quality of the tasks,
the deadline, the management, the feedback, the process, the structure, ailments and the
experiences (Padmanabha 2018). For that reason, it is well thought-out to be sentient of the
provisions of the labor force within the company and the way they undergo functioning there.
Poor management can be the rationale why the workforce of the corporation has an inconsistent
conduct with others in the place of work, and inequitable treatment of the employees or
prejudiced behaviour can impinge on them pessimistically and make them demotivated. This is
because they undergo a reason of disregard and they cannot make the mark to distribute the
preferred amount of efficiency (White 2019). Vague job roles on the part of the managers can
construct misunderstanding throughout the exertion and hence, this becomes a ground for the
augmented quantity of divergence in the office too (Padmanabha 2018). Sometimes the
companies fall short to afford the authority of appropriate training and development sessions and
consequently, they do not have the suitable dexterity to deliver a definite obligation. Conflicts
arise when people are asked to complete this manner of coursework and are presented with an
awful job setting as well. Sometimes bullying and harassment inside the place of work can also
be a root to this kind of tribulations and can obliterate the rapport between the corporation and
the workforce to an all-embracing scope (Cottrell 2017). Sometimes the customers also face
problems related to the quality of the product and services. It is important for the managers to
look into the matter and analyze the customer feedback forms to add to the echelon of customer
service to the customers. These kind of decisive matters are to be gripped by the administrator,
and that too resourcefully, so that the business can stand out in the potential circumstances.
Issues
From time to time, owing to the diminutive level of communication involving the managers and
the customers or the employees of the company, it becomes tough to be aware of the need that
the business is going through and the technique through which it can be deciphered. The
managers of the company can face troubles in dealing with the concerns of the team members
and in understanding the tastes and preferences of the customers outside the premise (Browne et

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al. 2019). Sometimes it becomes inflexible to appreciate what the employees fancy and whether
they are facing any sort of problems inside the organisation. Problems of favoritism can be a
basis for an enormous quantity of inconsistency among them and would likely dwindle the
productivity level of every employee. Any initiation of disagreement inside the organisation can
impede the actions of the corporation and as a result, it is significant for the supervisor to be
relevant with critical thinking aptitudes so that the being can deal with the problems and dig up
the usual tempo back.
Theoretical concepts
The problem of egocentrism can distress the manager and thus, the person can be self-absorbed
and selfish, would not reflect on the thoughts, interests, and principles of other people inside the
lineup, and can seize actions based on self-interested thinking and superiority bias. The manager
can have the tendency to overrate oneself without seeing the authentic matter and this can be one
of the vital blockades to critical thinking inside the place of work (Iidmglobal.com. 2011). The
person can also face problems in understanding the ideas and perceptions of a group, which can
again deter rational thinking by focusing exclusively on the self or on the group (sociocentrism).
This is where the person may or may not comprehend the tribulations of further assemblage
contained by the place of work and can stand with one group and hold them up, which yet again
means discriminating in some way or the other (Gambrill and Gibbs 2017). Unwanted
assumptions and stereotypes can besides grow to be a problem for the managers’ critical
thinking, which may get in the way of the verdicts of the individual and is capable of bringing on
an unfavorable outcome rather than solving the problems of the customers or the employees in
reality.
Reconstruct
Required Skills What I have to
do
How will I
achieve success
How will I measure
success
Deadline
Communication
skills
I will have to
build up my
I will have to
communicate with
 Feedbacks
from my
3 months

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communication
skills so that I can
converse with
both the
customers and the
team members
and work out their
difficulties. This
can be done by the
use of
presentation,
taking part in
group activities
and
communicating
with the clients
and the team
members
(Iidmglobal.com.
2011)
others to
accomplish this
kind of skill and
will have to
spotlight that I do
not deduce
anything before
the individual
ceases the decree.
I will have to take
communication
classes, which can
aid me to enhance
my
communication
skills, and the
head manager of
the company can
assist me in
developing my
skills through
timely Training
and Development
sessions.
superior
 Feedbacks
from my
team
members
 Feedbacks
from the
customers
 Self
appraisal
Time
Management
For solving the
problems
mentioned above,
it is very
important for the
manager to
develop time
management skills
and this kind of
skills can help to
In influence, I
have to
accomplish how
to oversee time
and actualize. I
may procure the
aptitudes by
applying basic
leadership
abilities, in which
 Feedbacks
from my
superior
 Feedbacks
from my
team
members
 Feedbacks
from the
4 months

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CRITICAL THINKING
allocate the work
properly and
perform the tasks
according to the
schedule. This
type of skills can
also help me to
deal with
immediate
situations so that I
can exchange
tasks and focus on
the other when
needed
I am great.
Rehearsing work
under strain can
assist me with
developing and
acquire great time
management
abilities (Harvard
Business Review.
2010).
customers
 Working
under sharp
deadlines
Team work skills Team working
skills are needed
to increase
productivity and a
healthy
relationship
between the
manager and the
team members
As I am good in
authority
subsequent to
decision-making
skills, I can
implement team-
working skills
while
indispensable. It
is needed in any
manager. I will
also have to have
a clear mind so
that the team
members can
communicate and
provide their
feedback.
 Feedbacks
from my
superior
 Feedbacks
from my
team
members
 Feedbacks
from the
customers
 Self
appraisal
1 months
Fast decision I have to embrace I have to embrace  Feedbacks 2 months

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CRITICAL THINKING
making skills basic reasoning
and fast decision
making abilities,
which is required
in a manager.
the aptitude by
applying my
cooperation
abilities and
successful
leadership
abilities. I will
also have to
practice in same
situations so that I
do not have
problem during
the problems in
real life (Harvard
Business Review.
2010).
from my
superior
 Feedbacks
from my
team
members
 Feedbacks
from the
customers
 Self
appraisal
Self-Awareness Reflection
1. The one or two areas in which I am most strong
I have clarity in my speech and therefore, I can make others realize what I really want to say to
them. I do feel to convey myself unmistakably to others and I am not lazy, careless, or unskilled
in this matter. I also have the ability to complete every chore with precision. I implement my
training, and skills that discovers the clues that others have disregarded. This can help me to find
the underlying cause of the dilemmas within the workplace.
2. The one or two areas in which I need improvement are
I will have to enhance my communication skill so that I can gather proper feedbacks from both
the customers and the employees, which can help in solving their problem and in enhancing their
relationship with me. I will also have to work on time management skills so that I can complete

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the task provided to me properly. I also have to increase team-working skills and fast decision-
making skills, which can be of assistance to get out of stern circumstances effortlessly.
3. If I only did one thing to improve this area, it would be to
I will have to take the proper time to train myself so that I can be able to communicate properly
and enhance my fast decision-making and team working skills. I will also have to listen to others
properly and must not presume anything before the other person completes what they want to
say.
4. Making this change would probably result in
Eradicating the weaknesses can help me to focus on developing my career and in making a
change in the way to operate in the organizational premises.
5. If I did not change or improve in this area, it would probably affect my personal and
professional life in the following ways:
 I will have the same problems over and over again
 There will be discrimination without me knowing it
 There will be a gap of communication between me and the employees or the customers
 I may not understand the requirements of the employees and the customers
 This will reduce the professional relationship between me and the employees or the
customers
 This will hamper my skills and the company can even search for a new person for the
position.

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References:
Browne, A.M., Deutsch, E.S., Corwin, K., Davis, D.H., Teets, J.M. and Apkon, M., 2019. An
IDEA: Safety Training to Improve Critical Thinking by Individuals and Teams. American
Journal of Medical Quality, p.1062860618820687.
Changethis.com. (2019). [online] Available at:
https://changethis.com/manifesto/17.CriticalThinking/pdf/17.CriticalThinking.pdf [Accessed 9
Apr. 2019].
Cottrell, S., 2017. Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument and reflection. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Gambrill, E. and Gibbs, L., 2017. Critical thinking for helping professionals: A skills-based
workbook. Oxford University Press.
Harvard Business Review. (2010). How Leaders Should Think Critically. [online] Available at:
https://hbr.org/2010/01/how-leaders-should-think-criti [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
Iidmglobal.com. (2011). Developing Your Critical Thinking Leadership Skills | How To Be A
Leader | Leadership And Management | Leadership Skills | Leadership Development |
International Institute of Directors and Managers | IIDM - IIDM Global . [online] Available at:
https://www.iidmglobal.com/expert_talk/expert-talk-categories/leadership/leadership_skill/
id45293.html [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
Padmanabha, C.H., 2018. Critical Thinking: Conceptual Framework. Journal on Educational
Psychology, 11(4).
Serrat, O., 2017. Critical thinking. In Knowledge Solutions (pp. 1095-1100). Springer, Singapore.
White, A., 2019. Thinking Like a Manager: A Participatory Exercise for Understanding
Managerial Roles. Management Teaching Review, p.2379298119825829.