There are many critical thinkers who have literally changed the world. A few examples are, Edwin Hubble, discovering that galaxies are expanding. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his “I have a dream speech” that still resonates and has impact after 50 years. Simone de Beauvoir arguing for the individuality and voice for women. And Madame C.J. Walker who was the first female black self-made millionaire. What have what these people did have to do with team and career building and how is critical thinking critical to both?

A recent study by the Society of Human Resource Management posits that one of the technical skills most lacking in the workplace is data analysis. In terms of soft skills there are even more missing pieces such as problem solving, innovation, creativity, the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity, communication, and critical thinking. Having this bit of information begs three questions. First, why are these elements of critical thinking important to you and your team?  Second, why are they missing? Third, if they are important, yet missing, how do you ensure that your team has the critical skill of critical thinking?