There are many skills a person requires to be successful in their business life. It is hard to decide which skills are more important than others, but one could argue that it depends on each individual, their job role, aims, goals and other personal and situational factors.
However, I am sure that we would all agree that one of the most important skills, one which is inbuilt into our very being from the moment we’re born, is thinking skills.
Peter Drucker, the world renowned management consultant, educator and author, is credited with introducing the concept of “knowledge worker”.
This term has been debated and argued about for decades now and has many diverse definitions.
However, generally the term is used to describe people at all levels whose work involves problem-solving, analysis and decision-making.
Research indicates that “knowledge workers” in the main are the ones that come up with new ideas around innovation, new processes, new ways of working, new products, services and so on.
Research also points to two main skills of a “knowledge worker” - effective communication and thinking skills.
“Is that not all or most of us?” I hear you say.
When I think about it, if you were to take a walk around most of todays business premises, I would suggest that you will find a “knowledge worker” at most desks, huddled around meeting tables, on calls to customers, chatting at the water dispenser, talking in the corridors, in discussions with bosses and colleagues – it seems most of us are indeed employed to be that “knowledge worker”.
Without getting involved in a deeper debate as to what or who a “knowledge worker” is, I am comfortable with the concept of that type of person needing to be an effective communicator and also possess excellent thinking skills.
In my opinion thinking is one of the life-skills which is central to being an effective worker-contributor, regardless of vocation or role. We could include skills associated with processing information and data under the “thinking skills” umbrella.
Adapting a model published by Latimer and Noble, 1996, I have mapped out some of those thinking and information-processing skills and how they can apply in a practical sense…
1. Surely we should be seeking to recognise the thinking skills we have and map them against the ones we need to fulfil our role and responsibilities?
2. Should we not be open and honest (and dare I say realistic?) about identifying skill gaps and opportunities to improve on those thinking skills?
3. We need to equip ourselves with strategies, tools and techniques to ensure we utilise those thinking skills to optimum effect
To qualify “best effect” – to contribute to “Know / Comprehend / Apply / Analyse / Synthesise / Evaluate” processes (above) in ways that increase efficiency, effectiveness and productivity within our own role and our overall contribution.
Jamie specialises in the application of MindGenius business mind mapping software as a catalyst for enhanced personal, team and organisational performance and productivity.
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