Critical thinking, where have you gone? I just read an article in The Wall Street Journal on Line. It was 8/30/16 issue in the Management & Careers section written by Kate Davidson. If I was a professor again, I would definitely be helping students learn more than textbook knowledge. As a matter of fact, I would love to go back and teach business skills.
Traveling and learning about other cultures helps us to be more culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of other people.
It has been apparent to me for some time now that there is a generation in need of soft skills. Skills that are often learned experiencially; often too late. Even today as I sat eating breakfast the girl who was a Hostess, did not know how to be conversational. Conversation calls for people to be well read, be comfortable with themselves, and listen well. I think she was able to listen, but didn’t know how to converse. She had one word answers and waited for others to ignite the communication. I saw her fumble for words. Whoever hired her for the position of hostess did not train her well.
Working for an organization means you are part of a team. You are able to sell them and in the process sell yourself. I haven’t seen much of that for a while now. Having watching the Cubs accept their kudos from their fans this week, I saw that quality. The players were excited, they worked as a team, and they sold each other as great coaches, bosses, management, and colleagues. Perfect.
So this article went on to say the larger firms are spending top dollars on “recruiting.” Companies are turning more to psychological testing. They want people who can communicate with ease. People who will sell the organization and be part of a bigger team. They want critical thinking, social savvy, and adaptability.
The need to be a creative thinker is also important. Sports, art, and being involved in volunteer situations teach these skill forms. They teach us to be entrepreneurs and self thinkers. They are skills developed by traveling and learning about other cultures, as well.
So I want to salute the larger families out there whose children are taught to share and to be flexible. If you are a smaller family, I encourage you to stay involved in church and community programs. Provide volunteering opportunities for your family to do together; it is so valuable.
Have a great day and of course, “Delight in Living!”