Logic is the study of the principles of correct reasoning. It is concerned with how we construct arguments and whether the conclusion follows from the premises. For example: All employees who complete the leadership programme receive a certificate. Sarah completed the leadership programme. Therefore, Sarah will receive a certificate. Critical thinking, on the other hand, goes beyond whether an argument is logically structured. It is the ability to examine information objectively, question assumptions, consider different perspectives, evaluate evidence, and reach a reasoned judgement. For example, imagine a manager says: “Our employee engagement has increased because we introduced flexible working.” The statement may sound logical, but a critical thinker would not simply accept the conclusion. They would ask: What evidence supports this? How was engagement measured? Did anything else change during the same period? Could there be another explanation?
I think critical thinking is the broader cognitive skill, and logic is one of the tools we use within it. What do you think?
The goal is not to be right
One of the biggest obstacles to good decision-making is the desire to win the argument. When our identity becomes attached to being right, we stop listening and we defend our position, seek evidence that confirms our views, and become less willing to consider alternatives. The discussion shifts from finding the best solution to protecting our ego.
I do not claim to be right about everything, and I do not feel the need to be. In fact, I think one of the most valuable leadership qualities is intellectual humility: the willingness to challenge your own thinking, update your beliefs, and change your mind when presented with better evidence. For me, the goal is not to prove that I am right. The goal is to become less wrong.
This mindset creates space for curiosity, better questions, and more thoughtful decisions. It encourages diverse perspectives, reduces defensiveness, and leads to stronger outcomes for teams and organisations. The best leaders are rarely those with all the answers, they are the ones who create the conditions for better thinking. What do you think? Is the role of leadership to be right, or to help the organisation make better decisions?
The humble calf
““One of the great challenges in this world is knowing enough about a subject to think you’re right, but not enough about the subject to know you’re wrong.””
It’s the cornerstone
Critical thinking is the ability and eagerness to identify gaps in logic or shortfalls in evidence-based argumentation. Sympathetic listening is that commitment to understanding the argument from the other person’s perspective. For example: “Am I really understanding this or that from the other person’s point of view?”
Now what sympathy means in these cases is I am willing to set aside, even if it’s just temporarily, that hunt for the slightest mistake in logic or reasoning. Setting that aside for a moment, so that you can listen really carefully to what your conversation partner is saying, so you can understand from their perspective what their intellectual project is or why it is that they are looking at the same world you are looking at but coming to a very, very different conclusion. I think critical thinking and sympathetic listening are both facets of a great conversation.
The 4 C's
Why are these skills important?
1. Communication
I think communication is all about sharing thoughts, ideas, and questions. Communication can come in many it’s not just speaking verbally as non-verbal cues such as hand gestures and facial expressions are just as important. And nowadays, as we live in a digital world, it is also important to learn how to responsibly navigate digital spaces.
2. Collaboration
I think the ability to collaborate and work together to reach a common goal is a skill worth practicing. Problem solving and tackling issues in which are bigger is essential if you want a career in any field.
3. Critical Thinking
I think by looking at problems in a new way and simply asking “Why?” in today’s world where we can get information at the click of a button, a large part of critical thinking is being able to look at information and decide if it is credible or not.
4. Creativity
I think being creative is trying new approaches to solve problems by simply thinking outside the box in any area. Creativity can be taught and fostered by encouraging your team to try new things and by creating a safe space for them to express themselves.