I was at a tech-startup networking event last week when someone said, “old people don’t even have to think, they know”. The implications are insulting and worrisome –old people don’t “think” anymore, they only look at the past.
If you are over 55 –and therefore “old”—this article from the Harvard Business Review is an excellent reminder and a guide to four different kinds of thinking you need to avoid become that “old person” who no longer thinks.
I’ll add a fifth kind of thinking you need.
Expert thinking is rooted in deep knowledge in a particular field, developed through years of experience, training, and consistent practice. Use it when a situation requires a quick, automatic response based on a well-defined set of rules, or when prior experience and knowledge can offer a clear path forward.
Critical thinking pushes you to pause and question assumptions. Instead of reacting quickly, you stop and analyze. Use it when experts disagree on a solution, when traditional approaches fail to solve a problem, or when the symptoms of a problem keep recurring.
Strategic thinking is about taking a long-term, high-level perspective, looking beyond the immediate situation. Use it when making big decisions with long-term consequences, thinking about your team’s future, or trying to anticipate how market forces and customer needs might change.
Systems thinking is the ability to see the interconnectedness of all the problems at hand. Use it when you need to understand a complex situation or want to identify patterns and relationships within your organization or industry.
Creative thinking, the ability to think of new and effective ways to address a situation or solve a problem. Use it all the time. Not only will it help you identify ways to improve anything, but it will also show those around you that you are not some “old person” who is past their prime. Like all other thinking styles, you need to practice your creative muscles, so apply creative thinking all the time.
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