On this episode of Thought Talk I am joined by Helen Lee Bouygues the Founder of the Reboot Foundation an organization that funds and publishes research on improving critical thinking.

 

Helen is joining us from Paris where she lives  for a conversation on the importance of critical thinking in a world where search algorithms and social media are designed to feed us more of the same of what we already believe to be true. 

 

Tune in for a fascinating discussion on why critical thinking has become one of the top three traits employers look for as well as how you can practice and hone this important tool for success and how scenario planning can and will make you a better leader for the future.

 

Tips to improve your critical thinking

Overcoming online misinformation — these are tips to make sure your information and opinions are well-researched: Keep your sources varied, combat the algorithms. Triangulate your information by finding it at multiple sources. Verify who the authors are and what institution the information originates from so you are aware of the interests they serve.

 

Follow the S.H.A.R.P. scenario planning method — be more aware and better prepared for the future. S — slow down, give yourself time to think. H — hone and practice your critical thinking skills. A — accumulate information. R — reason and cross-check. P — ‘perspectivise’, try to see things through to their logical conclusions.

 

Tips to improve critical thinking in your children

 

Critical thinking can become second nature when we start it young — find the critical thinking guide for parents on the Reboot Foundation website. Foster free expression and open-mindedness. Encourage children to think out loud. Ask why — a lot — probe their thoughts. Teach emotional management — the part of the brain responsible for emotional management is the same as that for critical thinking, give it room. Teach your kids the right way to do internet searches.



About Karen Tiber Leland

 

Karen Tiber Leland is the founder of Sterling Marketing Group, a branding, marketing, and color strategy and implementation firm helping CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs develop stronger personal, business, and team brands. Her clients include Cisco, American Express, Marriott Hotels, Apple Computer, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

 

She is also the best-selling author of nine traditionally-published business books that have sold over 400,000 copies and been translated into 10 languages. Her most recent book is The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand. She regularly writes for Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com and has had articles published in Self, The Los Angeles Times, American Way, The Boston Globe, and many others.

 

Karen has spoken for Harvard, The AMA, Direct Marketing Association, and Stanford, among others. She has been interviewed on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, and Oprah.

 

Get in touch with Karen on Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

 

About Our Guest

 

Helen Lee Bouygues is one of the most successful women in business transformation. She has served as interim CEO, CFO, or COO for more than a dozen companies. She is the founder of the Reboot Foundation, a columnist at Forbes, and working on a book on critical thinking.

 

A former partner at McKinsey & Company, Bouygues has helped transform more than 25 firms. Over the course of a twenty-year career, she has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital, renegotiated billions of dollars in debt, and brought dozens of companies into the black.

 

Bouygues has lectured around the world. She sits on multiple boards, including those of companies in the retail, manufacturing, oil and gas, renewable energy, and automotive-parts sectors. She graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University and earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

 

You can learn more about Helen Lee Bouygues on her Twitter|Website

 

Mentioned

Reboot Foundation

The Social Dilemma

 

Resources

 

My 10th book — No Nonsense: Time Management: 50 Tips to Hack Your Time and Get Everything Done — will be out on December 31st through Career Press.

 

This book contains the results of decades of studies I’ve done on time management and applies it to today’s environment: working from home, video conferencing, and time, productivity, and energy management.

 

Pre-order a copy on Amazon right now.

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