The idea of identifying a critical thinker in my life leads me to my work place. I work at an engineering/prototype manufacturing firm. Granted there are brilliant minds all around me, only a few are “true” critical thinkers. From these, I have chosen Josh, our VP of Operations. I have chosen him due to his ability to maintain critical thinking skills within an extremely fast-paced environment.
To begin, I highlighted three characteristics that Josh exhibits on a regular basis: Mindful of alternatives, develops and defends a reasonable position, and asks appropriate clarifying questions. For example, Josh oversees our cast and mold making services. On one occasion, one of our customers requested that we use one of our previous car bumper molds with a different material. From the sales standpoint, the job was quoted cheaper because the mold was already constructed. Well, the part was poured, but it failed to come out correctly. After two additional failed pours, Josh stepped in to evaluate the problem.
Josh, then, proceeded to sit down with the mold-maker, and interview him on the failed process. The VP’s questions were so specific in that he even gathered the size of the air pockets in the mold. Moreover, he began to question the effectiveness of the mold in light of the new material. Based on the evidence he accumulated, he presented the alternate idea that the mold was no longer functional with a denser material, even though we were in a price crunch. He began testing the new material, and found that, indeed, the material would not work with the current mold structure (i.e. it required a different material entry location, and additional venting ports).
I sincerely believe that if Josh hadn’t kept himself well informed, neglected the pursuit of reasoning, and avoided intimidating people with his raw critical thinking, the project would have failed for us and the customer. To illustrate, Josh consistently updates his material behavior sheets so as to identify any irregular behaviors during manufacturing. Also, he makes it a habit to list material calculations and specifications on the work orders, as an engineer, to provide the workforce with his line of reasoning. This way, if something irregular occurs, the primary reasoning may be eliminated while the problem is being identified. And unforgettably, Josh never minces words. He speaks in a very straightforward and simple manner. For example, it is given that machinist do not like to be told by engineers how to run their machines. And although Josh acknowledges this, he intervenes without batting an eye when necessary.
To conclude, it is difficult task to be in charge of fairly complex and lucrative processes. Such a job demands critical thinking skills. Skills that enable one to be open minded while staying well informed; to stand for a reasonable position without being intimidated by the emotions of others; and to relentlessly pursue reasoning by asking the right questions. I have chosen Josh as my “critical thinker” because he exhibits these traits naturally.
