Episode: 712

Episode Title: Wanted: Critical Thinkers

If we have AI, why do we need critical thinking in the human workforce? Let’s talk about it, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 712 show:

You’re now in The Perna Syndicate—thanks for tuning in! As fast as the world is changing these days, it’s vital to stay current in the skills your industry requires. But the secret to your ultimate success might depend on an entirely different set of skills—soft ones.

Nowhere is this more counterintuitive than in the tech industry, where we might assume that technical skills alone are king. Of course you’ve got to have them, but new research indicates that they’re not the only thing that tech employers are looking for. 

A recent study found that there are five soft skills that tech leaders want in their workforce. As we discussed yesterday, creativity and originality topped the list. Coming in a close second is critical thinking and analysis. So what exactly is that?

Like the other soft skills we will explore this week, critical thinking is something that the robots can’t yet do—or rather, can only do as well as the humans who make them. 

Critical thinking is the ability to look at the big picture and form an intelligent, sometimes even intuitive conclusion that drives the work forward. Critical thinkers are aware of their own limitations and biases, and seek reliable information to form a valid judgment. 

Yes, computers can analyze all day for us. But there is a human element in true critical thinking that goes beyond data. And that’s why the tech industry—and every other industry—need their people to have it. 

Next time, we’re looking at the third most-coveted soft skill in the tech space: leadership and social influence. See you for that conversation tomorrow on The Perna Syndicate!