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Write a Reply for Tiffu
Class,
I often tell myself that I probably missed my true calling and should have been an investigator. I love stopping to peel back the layers, getting into the weeds, and asking the hard questions that others may overlook. That natural curiosity is what keeps me committed to finding the truth and guiding others toward the best solutions. It is easy to assume we already know the answer or to jump into action too quickly, but critical thinking reminds us to pause, organize our thoughts, and define the issue before moving forward (Chaffee, 2019). Two lessons from this chapter seemed the most important for me. The first is learning how to define a problem clearly, and the second is being able to generate and evaluate multiple alternatives.
Defining the problem is crucial because it keeps us from confusing symptoms with the actual issue. Chaffee (2019) points out that if you frame the problem the wrong way, you can spend time solving something that does not matter. I remember an example from the Army when my unit was preparing for deployment. Leadership thought low morale was the main problem because Soldiers seemed disengaged. After reviewing the situation more closely, we discovered the real issue was poor scheduling. Medical appointments, training exercises, and family briefings were all overlapping. Once the problem was identified correctly, the solution became clear. We created an integrated calendar that coordinated requirements across the unit. Readiness improved, and morale followed. This showed me that naming the problem correctly is half the battle.
The second lesson is the importance of generating and evaluating many alternatives. Chaffee (2019) stresses that good problem solvers do not stop at two or three options but challenge themselves to come up with ten or more. This forces us to be creative and to avoid going back to the same old solutions that may not work anymore. I saw this during a training exercise. At first, the planning team focused on only two evacuation routes. When more alternatives were considered, they found backup routes that avoided choke points and provided safer options. Research shows that teams who create more alternatives usually end up with better results (Paul & Elder, 2019). That lesson has stayed with me, both in the military and in school.
References
Chaffee, J. (2019). Thinking critically (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2019). The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and tools (8th ed.). Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Write a Reply for Christ
The first important finding from Chapter 3 that I found interesting surrounds details from the “Solving Complex Problems” section. As a father of two (2) girls, a successful entrepreneur, and a professional within the investigations sector; I found that specifics from this piece correlate heavily with my own personal experiences; especially after “Accepting the Problem…” When I found myself in this position, I realized that I undoubtedly asked the same following questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. What are the alternatives?
3. What are the advantages and/ or disadvantages of each alternative?
4. What is the solution?
5. How well is the solution working?
These listed inquiries have been a personal blueprint developed from my own life experiences; and has saved me from countless negative outcomes. Asking myself these types of questions have promoted me to think deeper than the average individual. More interestingly, the more I practiced this type of mental processing, countless worries were resolved quicker than normal; and I gave off the persona to others as “The man who knows all.”
Next, out of all steps, “Step 5: How well is the solution working?” is the second most intriguing from the literature. I enjoy nothing more than to see an accurately resolved circumstance come to life with visual proof. In relation to my life involvements, not only did I grow intellectually, I gained valuable knowledge from both the positive and negative outcomes. The best part is that when I made my choices following careful analyzation, rarely did I need to make modifications; but if changes were made, they were usually easy to implement. On another note, are you aware that sometimes the best form of acute thinking involves contemplating on not making a decision at all? You see… one cannot always depict what’s to come or what might happen based on his/ her thought processes (Chaffee, 2018). Sometimes it’s best to experience the results that the universe has critical processed and placed along the pathway. In closing, resolving situations with precise questioning aims at returning the best results with limited consequences; but don’t always count on having the ability to predict the future.
References:
Chaffee, J. (2018).
Thinking critically. Cengage Learning.
