Critical Thinking Application Paper - Essay Example

Kirby and Goodpaster (2007) averred that thinking is “the activity of the brain that can potentially be communicated” (6). The role of expressing thoughts through communication, either through verbal or nonverbal means, is crucial in either speaking or writing. In this regard, the essay aims to proffer issues pertinent to describe critical thinking by using various sources. The discourse would likewise provide an example from personal experience in applying critical thinking to a work related decision, and the importance and benefits of critical thinking in the decision-making processes.

Definitions of Critical Thinking The study conducted by Paton (2006) initially presented diverse definitions of critical thinking, to wit: “reasonable reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do” “Ennis (1987) “purposeful, self regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, and contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based. . .

” (Facione 1990). . etting, various opportunities for decision making require the application of critical thinking skills to ensure that judgments are made only after all alternative courses of actions have been exhausted. One envisions being a manager of an organization’s human resources division whose main responsibilities encompass the functions of acquisition, development and maintenance of human resources. Through all tasks require exemplary qualifications and competencies to exude leadership skills, one of the most challenging decisions are to retrench employees as a way of saving the organization.

The critical thinking process that needs to be exercised in this scenario is the identification of employees to be retrenched based on factors such as performance, length of stay in the organization, leadership potentials, and demographic background. Further, senior management would expect a benefit versus cost analysis of possibly retaining a number, retrenching all identified personnel, or even closing or liquidating the assets of the organization at the extreme level. Through different analytical approaches (cost – benefit, employee performance appraisal results, financial conditions of performance) one is given the tools to use and apply to outline the courses of action, the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative, and the overall effect would be gauged in terms of costs, image, corporate responsibility and adherence to ethical standards.

A manager whose critical thinking skills are not effectively and sufficiently honed to use analytical tools could make abrupt and harsh judgments and recommendations that could compromise the image and future survival of the organization. Wrong actions taken regarding firing employees, for example, could expose the organization to legal