Where higher order thinking meets EQ
INDIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE INTELIGENCE
EQ FOR ANALYSTS
ANALYTICAL THINKING FOR HIGH EQ-ERS
KRITIKOS provides a unique way to develop higher order thinking skills alongside emotional intelligence. Our stimulating and engaging workshops will help you not just to think more critically and analytically, but to share your thinking more effectively with others.
Your most important asset
Higher order thinking and emotional intelligence (EQ) are amongst the most valuable attributes for any individual to possess in today's workplace. The most valuable resource of any organisation is the collective intelligence of its workforce. KRITIKOS is unique in the way it is able to enhance both of these.
"We define effective thinking in terms of the 4Cs: think more clearly, confidently, critically and constructively!" Joe Chislett, Founder
"We need to learn when to listen to our emotions, when and how to dial them down, and how to engage with people on an emotional level when we want to share our thinking with them."
​​Joe Chislett, KRITIKOS founder
Collective, human intelligence
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Our approach to developing higher order thinking skills alongside emotional intelligence is uniquely positioned to strengthen those forms of thinking that are uniquely human, and that - when shared effectively - contribute to the collective intelligence of an organisation.
KRITIKOS helps develop
HIGHER ORDER THINKING + EMOTIONAL REGULATION
needed for
BETTER INDIVIDUAL THINKING
BETTER SHARING THINKING
and
BETTER INDIVIDUAL THINKING
BETTER SHARING THINKING
INCREASED COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
"The best thing about our approach is not just that it means higher order thinking skills are made more relatable and human, nor that they are more easily applied to the real, messy world of human interaction - but that they are actually better learnt this way. I know from my years of writing high stakes aptitude tests and from teaching critical thinking skills what the obstacles are to effective thinking, and how best to make them stick!"​
Our workshops
Our workshops cover the following skills areas:
CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL THINKING
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swiftly assess the significance of information; draw appropriate conclusions from data
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confidently evaluate novel ideas, theories, strategies and proposals
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pressure-test your thinking to reveal hidden biases and assumptions
ALIGNING ANALYTICAL THINKING WITH EQ
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master the relationship between logic and emotions; when and how to detach and reintegrate
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recognise the psychological factors involved in taking on new information and ideas
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When to trust our gut and when to think more slowly
SHARING THINKING
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harness the power of diversity: draw on collective intelligence to generate and hone ideas
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​understand the social and contextual forces that shape communication and influence
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challenge others' thinking in ways that are productive
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Our workshops, which can be conducted face to face or virtually, demonstrate the power of analytical thinking when combined with EQ. You will come away with a better understanding both of how to think more critically, and of how to frame your thinking so that it lands more successfully with others.
AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS
CRITICAL THINKING AND AI
This workshop looks at:
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Where and how we need to think critically, regarding the prompts we give and the output we receive
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How we can avoid cognitive stagnation or atrophy: how to use AI as a prompt to think further or more diversely rather than a substitute for critical thought
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Frictionless ways to embed critical reflection and analysis; ways to incorporate critical evaluation of output without slowing down the process or over-thinking
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Who it’s for: anyone – roles or organisations that are experiencing a significant rise in AI/ LLM usage
ANALYTICAL THINKING
These workshops help sharpen and give confidence to people’s ability to think analytically and strategically, and range from basic/ beginner, to advanced
​Analytical thinking: a primer
What it means to think analytically: techniques and approaches to simplify, and to make more analytical thinking more natural, intuitive – and more human!
Who it’s for: people who are less confident with the idea of analytical thinking, or who see themselves as more people-focused
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Enhanced analytical thinking
Assessing the significance of data and information: extracting and pressure-testing conclusions, teasing out values; refining forecasts and predictions
Who it’s for: People with some confidence or experience in analytics but who would like to sharpen their critical skills further
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EQ for analysts
Awareness of the role of emotions – how, and to what extent, we can or should detach; how to reintegrate; understand the role emotions play in how people receive and respond to new information: issues around updating, and having ideas or pre-existing theories confirmed or challenged
Who it’s for: people who are already quite skilled or adept at thinking analytically, but would like to develop their ability to communicate, frame, and explain their thinking, either to other analysts, or to people less analytically-minded
SHARING THINKING MORE EFFECTIVELY
The principle behind this workshop is that our collective intelligence depends not just on our individual thinking, but how effectively we can share that thinking with others. After all, it’s no good forming well-reasoned judgments or having interesting ideas if you are unable to communicate them effectively, argue for or defend them if required.
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The workshop will teach you how to:
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Frame ideas so they land better with others
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Maximise cognitive diversity: use the power of the group to innovate and pressure-test ideas: identify biases/ blindspots/ challenge assumptions
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Argue confidently for your own ideas: anticipate and respond to objections
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Challenge the views of others in ways that are powerful yet non-confrontational
Who it’s for: Roles, Teams or organizations that depend on – or that could benefit from improving – communication of ideas, concepts. Leaders, decision-makers; anyone who has to buy or sell courses of action, strategies, ideas, proposals. Organisations desiring to improve their collective intelligence.
THE ART OF STRONG JUDGMENT
Probably the most challenging aspect of any leadership or managerial role is having to make judgments and decisions, often those that have consequences for others or for the business. Security in the role comes not only from making good judgments, but doing so with an appropriate level of confidence and conviction. Also with the confidence that others, too, trust in your judgment. To achieve this, others need to know that you have considered different alternatives whilst also having clarity in the path you have chosen. This requires a blend of open-mindedness, humility, and also conviction!
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The session covers:
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How to make smart decisions with confidence, and see them through with courage and conviction, adapting to circumstances
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Confidence in the face of uncertainty: how to balance flexibility with firmness, open-mindedness with decisiveness
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The role of head and heart in making – and explaining – decisions
Who it’s for: Anyone in leadership or managerial roles, where making judgments and decisions is an important feature of your role
We are happy to discuss ways that workshops can be tailored to meet the exact needs of your organisation. See here for ways that clients have benefited from KRITIKOS workshops. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about our workshops and how they could help your organisation.
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"My experience of teaching and assessing critical thinking skills has taught me that the most effective way to do this is through paying attention to the role of emotions in thinking - when we need to listen to them, when we need to distance ourselves from them, and how to engage them effectively when sharing our thinking with others."
Testimonials
Our Clients Say
“The critical thinking course has made me more conscious of my thinking and equipped me with practical and easily applicable points for critical thinking. The refresher documents on the four principles provided after the course were particularly helpful, reinforcing my memory and awareness of these key points. It's heightened my awareness of biases in communication, enabling me to communicate more effectively. I feel more confident and empowered in my thinking and this course has truly helped me in my ways of communicating, both professionally and personally.”
Anne-Sofie, Graduate Training Programme, Stibo Systems, Aarhus, Denmark
Our Approach (a shallow dive into deep theory!)
Linking analytical thinking with emotional intelligence
The main feature of our approach is the fact that we look at the role and significance of emotions when thinking - or trying to think - analytically.
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Clearly, being able to think logically and analytically, alongside having strong interpersonal skills and EQ, is the perfect combination. Unfortunately, being good at one is no guarantee that you will be good at the other. To make matters worse, attempts to strengthen one often come at the expense of weakening the other. It is our belief that, when it comes to trying to improve higher order thinking skills such as those involved in logical, analytical and critical thinking, these improvements actually have MORE effect when they are combined with, and take account of, the role of feelings and emotions.
Why this works
There are several reasons why this approach is effective. One of the reasons people find critical and analytical thinking hard is that human beings are not entirely logical rational creatures but creatures who respond to and are motivated by feelings and emotions. Without recognising the influence that our emotions have on our thinking, both good and bad, you are not in a place to improve how you think. It also risks becoming cold, alien and machine-like.
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Secondly, we do not think in a vacuum but amongst other people, who may or may not think differently. There is no point in being able to think clearly and make logical decisions unless you have the skills to communicate your decisions with others clearly and get other people onside. This requires an understanding of how people are likely to receive and respond to ideas, especially those that may go against their current beliefs or expectations - and then how to frame them so they land more successfully.
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Thirdly, it is not possible to think in a way that is entirely detached from our interests, our values, our goals. People who consider themselves to be perfectly logical when they think are usually fooling themselves! Focusing on thinking ever-more analytically, without recognising the role that emotions and instincts are playing, only serves to make these blindspots bigger. Recognsing the way that things like motivated reasoning can affect even the most scientific-minded of people, on the other hand, is crucial for sharpening critical thinking skills.
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Fourthly, it is not clear that it would even be desirable to detach ourselves completely from our emotions. Besides the fact that it is our emotions that make us human, bring joy and purpose to our lives, there are often times when they can function as a better guide to the decisions we have to make than our 'logic' or reasons. For example, it is possible to over-think, and sometimes our emotions have a wisdom that our slower, logical thinking brains are unable to spot.
Other features of our approach
Practical focus: relevant and realistic
One of the reasons we focus on EQ and shared thinking is that we are realistic about both our starting points, and about the whole context in which thinking takes place.
We start from the assumption that humans are not entirely rational, and also that a lot of our thinking is unconscious - even when thinking in a cool, detached way, there are blindspots and biases, things our brains take for granted, that we are not aware of.
Perhaps more importantly, we are aware that, in the real world, we do not think in a vacuum, but amongst other people who may think differently. We need to be able to communicate our thinking clearly and effectively with others.
Our approach is designed to be in tune with the realities of people and the context they operate in. Our strategies do not increase cognitive load or burden: they are designed to operate in real situations, in real time.
Not just how to think - but when!
This follows from the focus on being realistic. It's simply not the case that more thinking is always better. In fact, it's possible to over-think. Sometimes our instincts are right, and are more reliable - as well as quicker - than our intellects. Our trainings give clear guidance on when we are perhaps justified in going on instinct, and when we need to engage our slower-thinking selves.
Link to creative thinking
Surely we are not going to try to pretend we can also assist with creative thinking as well? Well, we can - and do!
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There are several reasons why we can claim this. First, it follows from the recognition that more thinking is not always better. Creative thinking often requires us to switch off our critical, more analytical minds, and engage in a freer, more child-like flow state.
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Secondly, when applied judiciously, critical thinking can actually enhance creativity - by pointing out problems, it can prompt our curiosity to seek solutions.
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Thirdly, many of the techniques we use - from engaging in counter-factual, hypothetical thinking, to identifying and questioning assumptions - are key drivers for thinking creatively.
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Finally, Joe has a background as a teacher of creative writing and also runs poetry workshops in schools, so he is as well-placed as anyone to talk about creativity!
Meet the founder
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Joe's background spans teaching and examining higher order thinking skills as well as teaching English Literature, Drama and Philosophy. He has worked with emotionally vulnerable people on initiatives to prevent violent extremism, and as a hobby runs poetry workshops in schools. He has delivered workshops and training programmes to both schools and businesses (see testimonials.) He is uniquely placed to deliver the KRITIKOS programme of higher order thinking skills aligned with emotional intelligence.
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In terms of his work in thinking skills, he has over 20 years experience designing and writing for high stakes aptitude tests, including questions that assess critical thinking, data analysis, logical thinking and problem-solving. He was a senior examiner for the UK A level in Critical Thinking, and is currently a senior examiner for the International A level Knowledge and Inquiry. He has co-authored textbooks and papers in Nature magazine on how to assess evidence across different academic fields, as well as acting as a consultant on programmes to help people assess claims in health and medicine. Prior to teaching he worked in radio.
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