John Maxwell's approach to developing critical thinking skills

Table of Contents Introduction Review and discussion The value of good thinking Developing critical thinking skills for success Conclusion Thinking for a Change by John Maxwell

There have been hundreds of books written in recent years concerning the importance of effective thinking skills for personal and professional success, but far too many business practitioners have ignored or discounted this need to their detriment. Indeed, in his book, Thinking for a Change, Maxwell (2003) makes the timely point that many people become trapped in a vicious cycle of suboptimal thinking that keeps them from realizing their full potential. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review and discussion of Maxwell key points together with selected relevant articles that amplify them. Finally, a summary of the research and important findings concerning Maxwell’s book are presented in the conclusion.
Review and discussion
The value of good thinking
One of the harsh realities of the human condition is the tendency to remain mired in a sea of thinking patterns that diminish people’s effectiveness and ability to effect meaningful changes in their lives. In this regard, Maxwell (2003) makes the point that, “Those who embrace good thinking as a lifestyle . . . realize that to change their lives, they must also change their thinking” (p. 5). Given that people have learned how to think in a certain fashion all their lives, changing the manner in which they think represents a daunting enterprise, but Maxwell stresses that developing good thinking patterns is absolutely essential for success.
In fact, Maxwell argues that even a lifetime of dedication, hard work and personal desires for success are usually insufficient without being guided by good thinking. For example, Maxwell also reports that, “[I] had a strong work ethic and a desire to be successful. I had a strategy: hard work. I hoped that would get me where I wanted to go. But working hard doesn't guarantee success. And hope isn't a strategy" (as cited in Greenwood, 2012, p. 51). Although many people do not enjoy the same types of opportunities that present themselves to wealthy individuals, they do have the same opportunities to focus on developing good thinking skills in ways that will help open new personal and professional doors for them. As Maxwell (2003) points out, real success is not achieved with a college degree or based on family background, but rather the quality of individuals’ thinking.
Moreover, Maxell also notes that the process requires continuous diligence and there is no room for complacency when it comes to developing good thinking skills. For example, Maxwell (2016) emphasizes that, “Choosing words and thoughts carefully on a daily, even hourly, basis helps build the positive momentum needed to push through tough day” (p. 31). Certainly, it is reasonable to posit that most people fail to make the effort to choose many of their words and thoughts, electing rather to simply process what the environment around them is telling them and responding in a habitual fashion. Developing improved thinking patterns therefore requires a conscious effort that places a high priority not only selecting words carefully as well as actively thinking about the process before any words are even uttered.
Given that Maxwell (2003) maintains that there is such a thing as good thinking, there must also be a type of thinking that is bad. This does not mean that people think about bad things or actions (although everyone does from time to time whether they want to or not), but rather that they do not make the effort to engage in good thinking. Therefore, people who suffer from bad thinking are characterized by laziness while good thinkers are characterized by conscious effort to use appropriate cognitive skills and interpretative abilities to understand the world around them.
Some of the major constraints that many people experience when seeking to develop good thinking patterns are long-held emotions that discourage or even prevent them from making the tough decisions that are needed to change their actions and achieve their ambitions. It is possible, however, for people to overcome these constraints by actively controlling their thoughts. In sum, because people can control their thoughts, and emotions are based on thoughts, people can also control their feelings by controlling their thinking. This process is not automatic, though, and involves an ongoing effort but the payoff on this investment in effort can be significant and even life changing. In this regard, Maxwell (2003) make the point that, “If you are willing to change your thinking, you can change your feelings. If you change your feelings, you can change your actions. And changing your actions – based on good thinking – can change your life” (p. 6). Further, it is particularly noteworthy that the positive effects of good thinking are cumulative and serve to increase individuals’ potential for success in the future (Maxwell, 2003).
Developing good thinking skills is a long-term endeavor, but many people may lapse into their old ways without realizing it. Therefore, Maxwell (2003) also recommends making the conscious effort to improve thinking a habit that can minimize the counterproductive effects of such lapses. In addition, Maxwell (2003) also recommends taking the time for reflective thoughts so that individuals’ can learn from them. For instance, according to Maxwell (2018), “I'm a huge believer in moving forward, but I equally recognize the huge value of spending a short amount of time reflecting on past errors in a productive way. Why? Because it's the only way to learn from them” (p. 20).
This is not to say, of course, that people should extensively dwell on past failures and wallow in misery or engage in what Maxwell (2018) terms “pity parties,” but they should carefully consider what they could have done differently using good thinking skills to make the outcome more positive. Similarly, reflecting on past successes can also help identify what was done well so that these lessons learned can be applied to future situations. Therefore, reflective thinking contributes to the development of good thinking in several ways.
Besides taking time for reflective thinking, Maxwell (2009) also provides several personal anecdotes concerning how good thinking has helped him in his professional career as well as a number of inspirational quotations from some of the great (e.g, “good”) thinkers throughout history. In addition, Maxwell (2009) also offers some valuable step-by-step advice taken from is book for developing good thinking skills as follows: Cultivate big-picture thinking: This step involves using a holistic strategy for problem solving and making the effort to formulate “out of the box” solutions. Engage in focused thinking: This step requires the elimination of the distractions that keep people from focusing on their highest priorities and areas that contribute most to success. Harness creative thinking: This step involves people looking to others for creative ideas that can help them achieve their goals. In fact, Maxwell (2003) concedes that his own creative thinking skills were one of his biggest weaknesses and he therefore became an “idea collector” instead of an idea creator. Employ realistic thinking: This step involves applying a cost-benefit analysis to the decision-making process to determine what types of outcomes might result, including outcomes that are “less than expected,” a potential reality that everyone faces when making important decisions in their lives. Utilize strategic thinking: This step requires a systematic analysis of complex issues into component elements that can then be used to determine what types and amount of resources will be required to achieve the desired outcome. Explore possibility thinking: This step sounds a bit like the method used by futurists and science fiction writers who seek to expand their thinking about the present and future to determine what types of possibilities might exist in the future irrespective of what the current possibilities might be. Question popular thinking: This step is perhaps the most valuable guidance provided by Maxwell (2003) since it specifically demands individual thinking that does not depend exclusively on what most other people might be thinking about a given issue. This does not mean that people should simply ignore what many other people are thinking, but it does mean that a careful analysis may reveal deficiencies, gaps or even mistaken beliefs that have gone unnoticed. Benefit from shared thinking; In sharp contrast to the guidance provided above concerning the need to question popular thinking, this step involves actively seeking the advice and thoughts about an issues from people who are regarded as good thinkers. Practice unselfish thinking: In sum, in order to develop a cadre of high quality thinkers to participate in the shared thinking process, this step requires people to help others. It is important to point out, however, that this is not strictly an altruistic enterprise but is rather a good way to ensure that future needs for shared thinking will be improved. Rely on bottom-line thinking. This step involves “keeping your eye on the prize” and setting benchmarks to evaluate individual progress in achieve it. Furthermore, these same steps can also help people improve their critical thinking skills in ways that contribute to their personal and professional success and these issues are discussed further below.
Developing critical thinking skills for success
Although critical thinking is not exactly synonymous with good thinking, it is reasonable to suggest that the body of scholarship concerning the former is far greater than the latter since Maxwell has essentially cornered the part of the market. Notwithstanding this minor difference in nomenclature, good thinking and critical thinking are fundamentally the same in many ways. In this regard, Jawarneh and Iyadat (2008) define critical thinking as “the mental process to evaluate individual thinking based on established evidence and laws. Critical thinking may involve various components such as imagination, analytical, and cause and effect relationships” (p. 83).
Other definitions of critical thinking skills also highlight many of the key points made by Maxwell (2003). In an attempt to provide some definitional clarity, Rudd (2009) offers several useful definitions of critical thinking that have been advanced in recent years, including the following: Critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome; Critical thinking is the formation of logical inferences; Critical thinking involves developing careful and logical reasoning; Critical thinking involves deciding what action to take or what to believe through reasonable reflective thinking; Critical thinking is the purposeful determination of whether to accept, reject or suspend judgment (p. 47). Taken together, these alternative definitions all reflect the essence of good thinking as propounded by Maxwell (2003) as well as what is required to achieve this outcome. In addition, there are also a number of ways to develop improved critical thinking skills that also involve some of the same steps recommended by Maxwell (2003), including most especially the focused and long-term commitment that is required to successfully effect these personal changes. Many authorities maintain this process should begin as early as possible, and that some people may require assistance. For example, Rudd (2009) reports that for many younger learners, “Good thinking skills will not develop on their own, they must be taught” (p. 46). It is important to note, though, that regardless of the age of the learners involved, critical thinking goes beyond the mere memorization of facts and the use of simple mental abilities to higher level habits and skills (Rudd, 2009), reinforcing Maxwell’s guidance concerning the need to make good thinking habitual.
Likewise, Rudd (2009) also maintains, just as Maxwell (2003) does, that it is essential to make the focus on critical thinking habitual in his description of critical thinking. For instance, Rudd (2009) writes that, “[Critical] thinkers systematically and habitually take charge of the construction of thinking” (p. 47). This guidance sounds great, of course, but some people not fully comprehend what “taking charge of the construction of thinking” actually means. In this context, Maxwell (2003) suggests that developing good thinking skills “isn’t overly complicated” but that “it is a discipline” (p. 15).
Conclusion
The research showed that the concepts of good thinking and critical thinking skills share many of the same characteristics described by Maxwell (2003), including the need for individuals to consciously focus on improving their quality of thinking, taking advantage of creative thinking of others and making the process a lifelong habit. The research also showed that developing good thinking skills is not especially mysterious and complicated, but it does require a significant amount of effort. Despite the challenges that are involved in this process, though, the research was also consistent in emphasizing the need for good thinkers in the workplace today and in the future, thereby providing a major return on this investment of effort. In final analysis, it is reasonable to conclude that Maxwell (2003) has applied the same steps he advocates in Thinking for a Change to his own life and career and his continuing success is proof positive that his guidance works.

References Jawarneh, M. & Iyadet, W. (2008, December). Developing critical thinking skills of secondary students in Jordan utilizing Monro and Slater strategy, and McFarland strategy. International Journal of Applied Educational Studies, 3(1), 82-85. Greenwood, C. (2012, October). Room to grow. Success, 50-53. Maxwell, J. (2009). How successful people think. JohnMaxwell.com. Retrieved from https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/how-successful-people-think/. Maxwell, J. (2018, April). Reflective thinking: Make the most of past mistakes to live better now. Success, 18-21. Maxwell, J. (2016, August). Survival kit: Entrepreneurs need 5 disciplines to beat the grind. Success, 30-33. Rudd, R. D. (2007, October). Defining critical thinking. Techniques, 82(7), 46-47.