Think Smarter - by Michael Kallet (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Think Smarter: Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills is the comprehensive guide to training your brain to do more for you. Written by a critical thinking trainer and coach, the book presents a pragmatic set of tools to apply critical thinking techniques to everyday business issues. Think Smarter is filled with real world examples that demonstrate how the tools work in action, in addition to dozens of practice exercises applicable across industries and functions, Think Smarter is a versatile resource for individuals, managers, students, and corporate training programs.

Thinking is the foundation of everything you do, but we rely largely on automatic thinking to process information, often resulting in misunderstandings and errors. Shifting over to critical thinking means thinking purposefully using a framework and toolset, enabling thought processes that lead to better decisions, faster problem solving, and creative innovation. Think Smarter provides clear, actionable steps toward improving your critical thinking skills, plus exercises that clarify complex concepts by putting theory into practice. Features include:

• A comprehensive critical thinking framework
• Over twenty-five "tools" to help you think more critically
• Critical thinking implementation for functions and activities
• Examples of the real-world use of each tool

Learn what questions to ask, how to uncover the real problem to solve, and mistakes to avoid. Recognize assumptions your can rely on versus those without merit, and train your brain to tick through your mental toolbox to arrive at more innovative solutions. Critical thinking is the top skill on the wish list in the business world, and sharpening your ability can have profound affects throughout all facets of life. Think Smarter: Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills provides a roadmap to more effective and productive thought.

From the Back Cover

From the mind behind HeadScratchers, a guide to getting more out of thinking

We often hear about the importance of thinking critically and acting strategically. And yet, there are few resources that provide a business-focused, non-academic, practical approach to doing just that. Thankfully, Mike Kallet has come to our rescue. Mike has a very conversational tone in his writing on this critical subject, thereby making what can potentially be a very dry subject an interesting read. More importantly, the examples of how to use the process of critical thinking and the key "takeaways" help the reader apply the content appropriately. In our business, we rely on rapid and accurate decision making, with little margin for error. The concepts in Think Smarter are easy to implement quickly, realizing great results.
--Jacqui Bellini-Murray, Senior Training Manager at Genentech

Intelligence can be found, knowledge can be acquired, but critical thinking can only be developed. Finally, Mike Kallet delivers a guide for honing this much-needed skill in decision making. Practical and simple, yet profound. Every leader, every decision maker, needs this guide!
--Tess Reynolds, CEO at New Door Ventures

Bringing critical thinking and innovation into a company is a worthy goal, but a very difficult and elusive task. Mike Kallet's Think Smarter is a stimulating, practical guide that expands the thinking processes to embrace new concepts while keeping a focus on what is success. This is a book developed through years of working with leaders and teams to move them to new levels of problem solving and performance. I have both participated and overseen teams who have been coached by Mike's critical thinking. The improvements in the subsequent product developments and intra-team dynamics were impressive, breaking historical patterns of thinking processes. The exercises in Think Smarter are especially helpful in bringing clarity to the use of the tools and techniques introduced. Think Smarter is a must read for leaders who are challenged with solving the everyday problems of a business while finding approaches that step up the innovative capabilities of their teams.
--Dan Yost, Managing Partner at Dankat and former EVP at Qwest Communications

About the Author

MICHAEL KALLET founded HeadScratchers in 2004 to train business professionals and leaders in critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and creativity. Through workshops, webinars, and keynote speeches, he teaches people to apply critical thinking techniques to real world business challenges. Mike has held leadership positions in business environments ranging from ten-person startups to a $500 million public company.

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