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Critical Thinking

Feeling overwhelmed? What if you could learn a process for thinking to make better decisions and create better solutions? In this course, you’ll learn and practice techniques to generate breakthrough ideas and solve your most pressing problems. You’ll also discover how to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and see others’ viewpoints with clarity. You’ll learn how to: Translate abstract ideas into tangible results Evaluate ideas and adjust assumptions Solve problems based on credible evidence Make dramatically better decisions You’ll also receive: The “My Thinking Styles” assessment, which gauges your thinking style preferences A personalized development report with your individual results and areas for development AMA’s Critical Thinking Model, with an action plan for implementing critical thinking and decision-making skills back at work Pre- and post-seminar assessments Tune-up materials to review what you've learned after the event A skill-enabling toolkit, downloadable from the AMA Learning Portal

Seminar Number: 02533

5
(669 reviews)
  • In-Person
  • Live Online
  • At Your Company Location

Course Scheduling & Pricing

About This Course

In an era of information overload and complex challenges, critical thinking skills training has become a workplace essential. This hands-on critical thinking workshop helps professionals sharpen their ability to question assumptions and make sound decisions. You’ll learn practical frameworks for problem solving, evaluating evidence and avoiding cognitive biases. Whether you're seeking critical thinking training for yourself or critical thinking training for employees across your organization, this course provides the tools to approach challenges with insight and make better decisions under pressure.

Read the FAQs

Who Should Attend

All business professionals who want to enhance their thinking processes to achieve better results in business

Note: Before attending this session, you will receive a link to the online “My Thinking Styles” assessment. You must complete the assessment to participate fully in this seminar.

  •   In-Person2 Day(s)
    1.2 CEU, 12 CLP, 14 CPE, 12 PDCs, 12 PDU, 12 PHR, 12 PMU, 12 SPHR
  •   Live Online2 Day(s)
    1.2 CEU, 12 CLP, 14 CPE, 12 PDCs, 12 PDU, 12 PHR, 12 PMU, 12 SPHR
 

Feeling overwhelmed? What if you could learn a process for thinking to make better decisions and create better solutions? In this course, you’ll learn and practice techniques to generate breakthrough ideas and solve your most pressing problems. You’ll also discover how to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and see others’ viewpoints with clarity.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Translate abstract ideas into tangible results
  • Evaluate ideas and adjust assumptions
  • Solve problems based on credible evidence
  • Make dramatically better decisions

You’ll also receive:

  • The “My Thinking Styles” assessment, which gauges your thinking style preferences
  • A personalized development report with your individual results and areas for development
  • AMA’s Critical Thinking Model, with an action plan for implementing critical thinking and decision-making skills back at work
  • Pre- and post-seminar assessments
  • Tune-up materials to review what you've learned after the event
  • A skill-enabling toolkit, downloadable from the AMA Learning Portal
  • Utilize critical thinking skills when making business decisions
  • Be able to quickly identify and frame the problem, solve the problem and enable action through organizational awareness and relationship management
  • Discover 7 ways to spot a weak argument
  • Know how to translate abstract ideas into more tangible and actionable items
  • Identify 8 barriers to effective critical thinking
  • Minimize the impact of job pressures on your thinking processes
  • React with curiosity instead of emotion

The Mindset for Critical Thinking

  • Understanding the neurological and psychological brain functions involved in critical thinking
  • Discovering the mental habits that dispose people to be effective critical thinkers

Clarifying Problems Using Critical Thinking Techniques

  • Gathering and assessing data
  • Analyzing a given situation to identify the problems at hand
  • Recognizing your assumptions and cognitive biases
  • Unmasking persuasion techniques
  • Identifying and managing emotions
  • Framing and translating issues into formulated, actionable items

Developing Solutions and Solving Problems with Critical Thinking Skills

  • Applying counterfactual thinking techniques to assess and refine solutions
  • Using diagrams to assess data, check for gaps and communicate solutions to others
  • Seek relevant alternative viewpoints for constructive critique

Understanding Your Mindset for Critical Thinking

  • Interpreting feedback on your “My Thinking Styles” assessment
  • Gaining insight into your critical thinking mindset
  • Selecting which parts of your mindset to develop further

Organizational Context and Awareness for Critical Thinking

  • Analyzing power relationships, values, and formal and informal structures of your team or organization
  • Acquiring key interpersonal and communication strategies to strengthen your relationships

Implementing Your New Knowledge and Skills

  • Anticipating pitfalls you may encounter as a critical thinker
  • Creating an action plan for development of critical thinking skills

Learning Objectives

  • Promote Critical Thinking as a Valuable Process in the Workplace
  • Use Critical Thinking Skills to Clarify and Solve Problems
  • Align Your Solutions with Your Organizational Content

The Mindset for Critical Thinking

  • Understand the Neurological and Psychological Brain Functions Involved in Critical Thinking
  • Understand the Habits of Mind That Dispose People to Be Effective Critical Thinkers

Clarifying Problems Using Critical Thinking Techniques

  • Identify What Information Is Credible by Gathering and Assessing Data
  • Identify What Information Is Relevant to a Given Situation
  • Identify and Manage Emotions to Reason Clearly
  • Recognize and Neutralize Persuasion Techniques
  • Recognize Your Assumptions and Cognitive Biases
  • Translate Presenting Issues into Formulated, Actionable Problems

Developing Solutions and Solving Problems with Critical Thinking Skills

  • Apply Counter-factual Thinking Techniques to Assess and Refine Solutions
  • Use Diagrams to Assess Data, Check for Gaps, and Communicate Solutions to Others
  • Seek Relevant Alternative Viewpoints for Constructive Critique

Your Mindset for Critical Thinking

  • Interpret Feedback on Your “My Thinking Styles” Assessment
  • Gain Insight into Your Critical Thinking Mindset
  • Consider What Parts of Your Mindset You Would Like to Develop Further

Organizational Context and Awareness for Critical Thinking

  • Understand the Attributes Associated with Organizational Awareness and Managing Relationships
  • Anticipate Interpersonal Strategies You Will Need to Implement Critical Thinking at Work

Implementing Your New Knowledge and Skills

  • Anticipate Pitfalls You May Encounter as a Critical Thinker
  • Create an Action Plan for Development of Critical Thinking Skills

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF

View a Sample of Our Reviews

5

669 reviews

 
First time participating in a live online course. Really got a lot out of the training without all the traveling and hotel stays. Great and effective learning concept. Looking forward to when I can participate in another live online session.
5
   
This was a very informative class. Was given a lot of valuable information along with materials to refer back to. I really appreciated the confidence and knowledge the instructor demonstrated. She was very clear on all material.
5
   
I really enjoyed this training. I loved the instructor, the content, the opportunity to learn from other participates.
5
   
My overall feedback is very positive. I loved the pace and presentation of the material. It was not overwhelming. I felt I had time to digest and learn the material. I believe I will most likely recall the key points without having to look back at reference material.
5
   
I really loved this class. Excellent engagement and participation. The instructor was awesome and Todd did well helping us. I felt good vibes with them and they made the virtual class a comfortable environment.
5
   

This course is valid for 12 PMUs.

 

American Management Association is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is accredited to issue the IACET CEU.

Talent Triangle PDUs
12 Business Acumen [BA]
Project Management Institute (PMI) Talent Triangle, 2015.
Reproduced with the permission of PMI. Copyright and all rights reserved

AMA is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (12 PDCs) for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM.

 

American Management Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. For additional information or for more information regarding administrative policies such as complaints and refunds, please contact Customer Service at 800-262-9699.

Recommended CPE Credit: 14 hours/Intermediate
Prerequisites: Familiarity with fundamentals of analytical skills
Advance Preparation: Online pre-assessment
Delivery Method: Group Live/Group Internet Based
Field of Study: Non-Technical – Personal Development

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The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

In-Person Schedule

6 Sessions Available

Live Online Schedule

9 Sessions Available

  • $2,995.00 Non Members
  • $2,695.00 AMA Members
  • $2,656.00 GSA
Date Duration State City Zip
  2026-05-20 2026-05-21 May 20, 2026 - May 21, 2026 2 Days TX Dallas 75001 Dallas Register Now

  2026-07-09 2026-07-10 Jul 9, 2026 - Jul 10, 2026 2 Days GA Atlanta 30309-7705 Atlanta Register Now

  2026-08-31 2026-09-01 Aug 31, 2026 - Sep 1, 2026 2 Days NY New York 10019 New York Register Now

  2026-10-01 2026-10-02 Oct 1, 2026 - Oct 2, 2026 2 Days DC Arlington/Washington 22202-4807 Arlington/Washington Register Now

  2026-11-02 2026-11-03 Nov 2, 2026 - Nov 3, 2026 2 Days IL Chicago 60601-5927 Chicago Register Now

  2026-12-10 2026-12-11 Dec 10, 2026 - Dec 11, 2026 2 Days NY New York 10019 New York Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this critical thinking training right for me if I already consider myself logical?

Yes. Many professionals believe they are logical thinkers, but even strong analytical skills can be influenced by assumptions, bias or incomplete information. This critical thinking training helps you examine how you think, not just what you think, so you can make clearer, more objective decisions in complex workplace situations.

How will this critical thinking course help me solve complex problems more effectively?

This critical thinking course strengthens your ability to define problems accurately, evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions and draw sound conclusions. Instead of reacting quickly, you’ll learn how to slow down your thinking process, analyze information systematically and make more-informed business decisions.

What skills will I develop in this critical thinking skills training?

In this critical thinking skills training, you will practice analyzing arguments, identifying flawed reasoning, separating facts from opinions, and evaluating risks before taking action. The course focuses on structured thinking techniques that improve clarity, reduce errors and strengthen workplace communication.

How is this critical thinking seminar different from a general problem-solving course?

Many programs focus primarily on generating solutions. This critical thinking seminar focuses first on improving the quality of your analysis. By strengthening how you interpret information and assess assumptions, you improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the solutions you develop.

Is this critical thinking training for managers?

Yes. This program is especially valuable as critical thinking training for managers who must evaluate data, make strategic decisions and guide teams through uncertainty. It helps leaders reduce reactive decision making and strengthen sound judgment.

Who should attend this critical thinking workshop?

This critical thinking workshop is ideal for managers, analysts, project leaders and professionals responsible for making decisions or solving business problems. Anyone who wants to improve analytical reasoning and reduce costly mistakes will benefit.

Can this critical thinking training course be delivered in-house to help teams make better decisions and solve problems more effectively?

Yes. This course can be delivered at your company, in person or live online, for professionals at all levels. Delivery can be tailored to your organization’s business challenges and decision-making processes, helping participants analyze information, evaluate options, and make more informed, effective decisions. To explore options, please contact us for more information.
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