Organizational fitness through critical thinking

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (Feb. 12, 2021) - A unit run is seldom held with the sole purpose of fulfilling an aerobic exercise requirement, but rather used as an opportunity for commanders to evaluate readiness and communicate the importance of individual discipline toward maintaining standards.

The same can be said for training events that enhance mental fitness.

During a recent U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) virtual conference, Dr. Linda Elder, president, Foundation for Critical Thinking, spoke with senior leaders about the importance of stressing the standards, elements and traits of her science within the culture of organizations.

Critical thinking is generally defined as self-disciplined, unbiased analysis of factual evidence, in order to form conclusions or solve problems.

While the leaders in the teleconference expressed the use of critical thinking in their daily duties of command, the discussion quickly turned to the value of its use throughout the organization.

“The mind is a powerful asset that shapes our behavior, perceptions, judgment, intellect, imagination, and so much more,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander, USTRANSCOM. “Like our bodies and spirits, our minds require continuous development and nourishment. However, like anything neglected the results can be a slow fade into dark places void of logic and virtue.”

A key concept of critical thinking is it can improve people’s performances by improving how they think. The foundation’s website notes the importance of expanding one’s mind, “In a world of accelerating change, intensifying complexity, and increasingly interdependence, critical thinking is now a requirement for economic and social survival.”

Critical thinking is developed through education and training throughout one’s military career. “You have to teach people that critical thinking is for them, they are going to benefit from it,” said Elder.

Once the concept is understood, deliberate repetition and constant evaluation grow competency and applicability of the skill.

“Critical thinking is mental PT,” says U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Heidi J. Hoyle, commanding general, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

“To parse through today’s data-saturated world and effectively solve hard problems, we need individuals and organizations to exercise critical thinking,” said Hoyle.

Elder says intellectual humility is essential to becoming better.

“Mediocrity can continue to exist because of the way we’re set up,” says Elder. “We have to all use the language, the exact words, and then everyone needs to know we’re all deficient.”

“Critical thinking entails reasoning at a high level while adhering to intellectual standards and reaching for greater embodiment of intellectual virtues – for the cultivation of ethnical, intellectual character,” she said.

Elder says developing a culture of critical thinkers is challenging for a global enterprise, like USTRANSCOM, but is a vital piece to the command’s success.

“We have to remember we are a values-based institution and must make sound decisions to protect the U.S. Constitution, our North Star, in order to maintain public trust,” said Lyons.

USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. Powered by dedicated men and women, TRANSCOM underwrites the lethality of the Joint Force, advances American interests around the globe, and provides our nation's leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.