The metaphorical approach to thinking, denoted as creative thinking is an approach that elicits action in an individual at the advent of a powerful idea. It is a critical component that influences the critical thinking style. Creative thinking gives birth to the knowledge required for critical thinking. The basis of critical thinking is creative thinking. Creative thinking and critical thinking are complimentary. Creative thinking style affects the critical thinking process in the following ways.
The critical thinking process starts with an understanding of what one wants to do and the problem to be solved. After this realization, one needs to spring into action by integrating creative thinking to critically solve the problem. At this point, critical thinking is influenced by creative thinking. The second step in critical thinking is to acquire knowledge and understanding of the problem to be solved is. At this point, creative thinking approaches such as brainstorming are incorporated into the process.
Brainstorming engages the mind in moving through a variety of ideas in equipping an individual with appropriate knowledge and information to solve the realized problem. According to Kirby and Goodpaster (2007, p.12), this approach enables an individual to traverse the normal boundaries of thinking and become creative to critically solve the realized problem.
The next step in the process is comprehension. One needs to comprehend and narrow down to a specific topic or idea. Creative thinking influences critical thinking in a process identified as starbusting. It is an inquisitive step in creative thinking in critically comprehending an idea for solving a problem. This makes one to think effectively. Analyses of one’s thoughts are integrated here. It is a critical component in critical thinking that is influenced by an individual’s abilities.
If one’s creativity is slow at this point, another creative thinking approach is incorporated that drives critical thinking to a higher level. This drives an individual into analyzing and evaluating individual thoughts.
This leads to the second last step in which creative thinking impresses a critical synthesis of thoughts on the specific problem. Creative thinking will allow an individual to critically organize one’s ideas or thoughts, compose them into a product or solid idea, and creatively finish the thoughts as a workable solution.
This leads a creative thinker into the last step of critical thinking. The finished product is evaluated to identify consistencies or deviations from the original goal. This approach leads a critical thinker into evaluating whether the desired goal was achieved. One needs to be open minded, inquisitive, and logical in the thinking approach. One should be argumentative, have the desire for more information about a product or idea, willing to share ideas, and understand where an idea leads to (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, p.12).
Some of the workplace examples that involve critical thinking include product innovation and conflict resolutions among others.
A product can be creatively innovated if organizational managers are taken through the critical thinking process in product innovation or creation. By applying the critical thinking processes on a product, a new product can be created that can meet customer needs and satisfaction.
Managers must apply current knowledge about a product, comprehend the process, apply the knowledge, analyze the thinking, synthesize thoughts, and evaluate the final product’s consistence with the desired goal. One is able to evaluate the degree of achievement in the critical process. Integrated in the critical process are creative processes of brainstorming, starbusting, and coaxing activities (Goleman, 1995, p.12).
References
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books.
Kirby, G.R., & Goodpaster, J.R. (2007).Thinking. Pearson Prentice Hall. Pearson Education, Inc.