By Scott Rohde, PECP, PTMP
In my previous blog, I talked about the importance of onboarding and introduced critical thinking and scenario-based training as very important considerations when it comes to preparing new workers. I want to provide a few specifics about critical thinking and how it can be effectively delivered by the trainer.
Critical thinking is really a process. It has been described as the cognitive engine which drives problem solving. It involves the learner developing good self-regulatory judgment and thinking through the implications of every decision before they conclude the decision-making process. This includes as well as unstated assumptions and then parsing out all of the information selecting the most pertinent parts to help form a solution.
Once this has been done, the employee would formulate and choose among relative and promising hypothesis. Only after all of the above has been done, should the employee draw a conclusion and judge the validity of his or her conclusion based on all of the inferences considered.
So how do we not only encourage critical thinking but aim to teach it. First, I will set up the right environment for on-the-job training.
Start with assessing the life achievements and practical skills the new employee already has. Rather than treating them like someone who has no baseline experience, acknowledge what they know.
Indicate and practice an environment that allows free exchange of ideas. If ideas will lead to policies contrary to your corporate goals explaining why the conflict would exist and including an example of such would be very helpful to the learner.
Trainers should be facilitators and treating employees who are onboarding as peers and co-workers, not subordinates. Make certain that students take responsibility for their own learning. This means assuring that they’re active in the process as opposed to simply passively listening to what you have to say.
Verify this via small group exercises and regular feedback checks.
Scott Rohde, PECP, PTMP, is the Director of Public Safety for Wesleyan University. Scott can be reached at srohde@wesleyan.edu.