Critical Thinking

This paper outlines the means and benefits of using critical thinking in the training of managerial skills, offering a model and suggestions for the rehashing of the present managerial training. Caproni and Arias (1997) outline the training of managerial skills to mean the development or enhancement of an individual’s management skills, which includes interpersonal communication as well as conflict resolution, goal setting, and power management. Many experts (including the authors) feel that current training is insufficient to meet new trends such as globalization and multicultural work forces, multi-career families and new organizational forms like virtual organizations. Critical thinking skills applied to managerial training will allow students to be more effective, thoughtful and responsible managers (Caproni & Arias, 1997). Because the traditional training of management skills begins with personal reflection and understanding of the self, application of critical thinking causes students to consider how the view of self, and certain character traits are viewed differently depending on the culture and time period. The authors reason that critical thinking will draw attention to competencies not traditionally used in managerial training, but would benefit students facing the new social trends mentioned above. The implementation of critical thinking skills in the managerial training programs would focus on a cultural perspective. In order to implement such changes into the present curriculum, educators should first introduce literature that presents different methods of critical thinking in addition to the traditional texts. Some of the new readings are handouts to supplement discussion, while others are used as background readings for lectures (Caproni & Arias, 1997). Educators are then encouraged to bring additional resources into the discussions, and provide students with the opportunities to practice the critical perspective. The authors warn that the current managerial skills training has been created in cooperation with educators and students, and although it will be difficult to incorporate critical skills into the already fine-tuned curriculum, it is necessary for the training to be applicable in the real world.