It’s never too early to learn skills that would help them become leaders or successful in their careers. Leadership articles and even the World Economic Forum states “critical thinking” as an essential skill needed now and in the future.
Luigi Mapa, a leadership and organizational development consultant who worked with various professionals in various industries, says that this skill can be learned by teenagers in informal and informal ways. Here are the reasons why developing critical thinking among the youth is very important:
Maximize their Cognitive Potential
As young students begin to discover and reach their cognitive potential, being able to fully harness the whole brain will prove to be a big advantage. Critical thinking strengthens our prefrontal cortex or neocortex, which starts waking up in adolescence. And it is this part of our brains that enables us to maximize and tap in to our full cognitive potential – our whole brain.
Think with Clarity and Conviction
In the 21st century, continuous learning is not just important, but essential. And the amount of information available to students now can be both a burden and a blessing. Critical thinking enables students to make the most of this abundance of information by learning to ask insightful questions, while also filtering which information is helpful, and which is not. This is necessary for students to focus and think with clarity and conviction.
Make Smarter Choices
There are many factors that get in the way of critical thinking. These can be external stimuli such as mind-numbing games and media, or even our own internal biases and emotions. By being aware of the barriers to critical thinking, students can make smarter choices about what stimuli they consume, and also planning their developmental experiences.
Become Analytical Leaders
Lastly, critical thinking is also an essential aspect of leadership. Even in their classrooms, communities or student organizations, young leaders begin to face problems and challenges similar to what adult leaders face in their companies and businesses. By learning how to diagnose and analyze problems, and break these down into simpler causes and effects, young leaders will be introduced to the skills needed to succeed later in life.
Mapa will be facilitating a virtual workshop titled “Critical Thinking for Teens: Achieving Smarter Solutions for Better Decision Making” on November 14, Saturday.
The workshop will be conducted via zoom and is organized by Inquirer Academy.
For more information about the workshops and schedule of online courses offered by Inquirer Academy, please email [email protected], or call (0945) 2158935 and look for Jerald Miguel.
