Tag Archives: critical thinking

(#333) Questioning Risk

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Steve Piscitelli

It’s OK to go into uncharted and murky waters. Diving in headfirst is optional. When you think of the concept of “risk,” what comes to mind?  For some it may be bold and reckless venturing into the future. It could … Continue reading →

Posted in awareness, Critical Thinking, decision making, Life lessons, risk-taking | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

(#324) What Motivates Your Reasoning?

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Steve Piscitelli

It can be very easy to point out the window… The challenge is to look into the mirror. A quote attributed to Alan Alda reminds us that our “assumptions are the windows on the world. Scrub them off every once … Continue reading →

Posted in assumptions, awareness, confirmation bias, Critical Thinking, decision making, leadership, Life lessons | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#294) Benefits Of Remaining A Continual Learner

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Steve Piscitelli

It can help us fill in gaps between assumptions and realities. A few months ago on this blog I posed the question, “Do we take time to experience what our customer, client, or student is experiencing?” Regardless of your profession or … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, assumptions, change, college retention, Critical Thinking, effective teaching, growth, habits, Integrity, intentionality, Reflection, Reflective practice, resilience, vulnerability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#246) Are You Bitching or Are You Pitching?

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

Do you work (or live) with someone who endlessly pontificates, grouses, grumbles, moans and laments? One of my mentors taught me a valuable lesson near the beginning of my teaching career.  Dr. Veronica Valentine had a simple “rule” if anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Appropriate Behavior, awareness, collaboration, collegiality, Connection-Disconnection, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Discipline, Energy Vampires, Haters, Personal Wellbeing, problem solving, Reflective practice, responsibility, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

(242) Reflecting on a Significant Event

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

The power of this reflective practice exercise lies in its ability to help us discover not only what we do but why we do it. Regardless of our calling, we can all point to those critical (or significant) events that … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Thinking, effective teaching, faculty development, growth, habits, Personal growth, professional development, Purpose, Reflective practice, resilience, Success | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#238) Practicality Over Bean Counting

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

If all we do is look for the “research to inform our actions” we will drown in an ever-rising sea of mind-numbing numbers, tables, graphs, and pontifications for more research. A few weeks ago, a colleague mentioned in passing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Thinking, practicality | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#191) React, Respond or Initiate?

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

Managers react. Leaders initiate. Ready for a little equation solving? What does each letter represent? E + R = O   This equation (I believe it is attributed to Clement Stone) reminds us to pause in our interactions and avoid … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Thinking, leadership, Motivation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

(#185) Who Should Really Get Off The Bus?

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

If leaders cannot encourage and support open debate— even when it questions the direction of the bus—maybe they should get off the bus. In his best seller, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t, Jim Collins … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, Critical Thinking, leadership, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

(162) Aware-Care-Dare

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

For those who do not want to settle and would like to rekindle the passion in your calling, I suggest a three-step model.  At the conclusion of a recent presentation on non-cognitive factors of student success, a young instructor approached … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Thinking, Goals, Passion | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#159) Question-Collaborate-Question-Collaborate

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

We need people who will stand up and question when most others remain silent. Silence is not always an indication that all is well. It could be a warning sign that the so-called leadership has stymied a culture of curiosity, … Continue reading →

Posted in Life lessons | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment