Empowering human thinking
Combining critical thinking skills with/ CT skills made to fit with the other human superpowers – creativity, imagination, empathy, intuition. Trainings and resources (created by a critical thinking teacher, author and examiner) designed for real world application.
Individuals
Individuals
Individuals
Individuals
Individuals
Individuals
Individuals
Maximise your thinking and its impact on the world. Whether you are an individual seeking to further your career, or an organisation seeking to improve its functionality, our simple and original approach to training and enhancing thinking skills will sharpen and strengthen the most important resource you possess.
Welcome to KRITIKOS: Critical thinking - and beyond!
Expert-led critical thinking training
We offer expert-led training in critical thinking - Joe literally co-wrote the book A-Z of critical thinking, and has been teaching and assessing critical thinking skills for over 20 years.
"Maximise your thinking" workshops
For your thinking to be truly empowered, you need to combine critical thinking with creative thinking, intuition, the skills to share your thinking with others - and to act on it! Join Joe for this unique programme so as to really maximise your human potential!
Confidence in own judgment
Combine critical and creative thinking
Share your thinking more effectively
Link thinking to action
individuals
Tailored training and/ or coaching/ mentoring. Help individuals to maximise their thinking, giving them greater autonomy and agency. Develop strength and confidence in their judgment, the confidence to evaluate and propose ideas
teams and organisations
Group training to improve team alignment; the sharing of ideas. Maximise the most important asset of any team or organisation: the collective intelligence of its workforce
career progression and leadership
The need to make judgments and decisions is the hardest challenge of entering leadership or management roles. The skills we develop give you strength and confidence in your own judgment: the flexibility to act on your thinking but listen and adapt where necessary
Empowering human thinking: 4 requirements
There are 4 requirements for your thinking to be truly empowered. Perhaps the most important of these is the ability to think critically. Below are the 4 requirements that we cover in our training programmes
Think critically and exercise own judgment
Share thinking effectively with others
Combine critical and creative thinking
link thinking to action
I FOUND THE SESSION VERY POWERFUL. IT HAS LEFT ME A LOT TO GO AND REFLECT ON!
Nick, Senior Leadership Team, Waingels College
Empowering thinking: individually and collectively
For our thinking to be empowered, we need to be able to form and express our own judgments, thoughts and ideas - but also be able to connect our thinking with that of others. KRITIKOS helps you develop confidence in your own thinking, and the skills to share it effectively with others.
OUR MISSION AND APPROACH
our mission: empower people's thinking - in a way that works!
Hi, I'm Joe. I've been working as a teacher, author and examiner in the field of critical thinking for over 20 years. I've set out to provide an approach to developing people's thinking skills that is true to people and how they actually think and operate, and to the context they think in.
See here for more on my background and the story behind KRITIKOS.
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approach
our approach: simple, fact-based
Our approach is original but also simple. It is based on two facts - one about humans and how we think, and one about the context we think in. We then look at exactly what we need to do, in order to fully empower our thinking.
Basis for our approach
Fact 1: Human thinking is a blend
We are not simply rational or irrational; we are a blend, a mixture: of thoughts and feelings; of the logical and the emotional, the intuitive and instinctive, the critical and the creative.
Fact 2: Our thinking takes place in a context
We don't think in a vacuum, but amongst others. We are embodied, social beings, with a shared language, and who live in a shared world - with shared, as well as individual, goals.
What is really interesting about a lot of these traits/ features is that they are to some extent in tension. And yet at the same time, they need each other. Not only is it impossible to isolate, say, critical or creative thinking - our thinking is a blend, and we can't control all the things that go on - but they actually benefit/ need each other. Critical thinking can help us test ideas, but it can't give us the ideas in the first place. By way of analogy, thinking critically without thinking creatively is like being in a car without an engine; thinking creatively without thinking critically is like being in a car without a steering wheel or brakes!
What is really interesting about a lot of these traits/ features is that they are to some extent in tension. And yet at the same time, they need each other. Not only is it impossible to isolate, say, critical or creative thinking - our thinking is a blend, and we can't control all the things that go on - but they actually benefit/ need each other. Critical thinking can help us test ideas, but it can't give us the ideas in the first place. By way of analogy, thinking critically without thinking creatively is like being in a car without an engine; thinking creatively without thinking critically is like being in a car without a steering wheel or brakes!
What is really interesting about a lot of these traits/ features is that they are to some extent in tension. And yet at the same time, they need each other. Not only is it impossible to isolate, say, critical or creative thinking - our thinking is a blend, and we can't control all the things that go on - but they actually benefit/ need each other. Critical thinking can help us test ideas, but it can't give us the ideas in the first place. By way of analogy, thinking critically without thinking creatively is like being in a car without an engine; thinking creatively without thinking critically is like being in a car without a steering wheel or brakes!
What we need to do:
In light of these facts, what do we need to DO? There are 4 requirements for our thinking to truly be empowered. Each of these is individually necessary, but unless all are in place, they will fail to impact the world.
4 requirements for empowered thinking
Exercise critical thinking and (good) judgment
think critically and also creatively
share thinking effectively
link thinking to action
Exercise critical thinking and (good) judgment
Although we can't choose the thoughts or ideas we have or encounter, we can choose the ones we want to stand by or pursue. As for the relentless stream of information we encounter, we must decide where and when to pay attention. Both these choices require critical thinking. They also require good judgment
Share thinking effectively
It's no good having great ideas and being able to select the best if you don't share them with the world. Likewise it's no good being able to argue for your own ideas if all you do is alienate others. These require a sepatrate set of skills entirely from being able to think critically or creatively, yet they are just as important.
Think both critically and creatively
Critical thinking can help us evaluate ideas, but it can't give us the ideas in the first place. For this we need our natural human creativity. the relationship between critical and creative thinking is delicate - they can get in each other's way, but they both need each other!
Link thinking to action
It's no good being able to come up with great ideas and share them successfully if doing so takes you forever! It's not just a case of knowing how to think well, it's also a case of knowing when - and how much. Part of the answer lies in knowing how to deploy some of our faster, more intuitive ways of thinking; and how to evaluate ideas quickly and efficiently
REAL WORLD THINKING REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST BEING ABLE TO THINK CLEARLY, CRITICALLY AND ANALYTICALLY - YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE YOUR THINKING, AND, WHERE NECESSARY, ACT ON IT!
Joe Chislett, Founder KRITIKOS
Trainings and workshops
The only way to fully realise yourself as a human being is to express your thinking and share it with the world. KRITIKOS trainings - built around how humans actually think and operate, and the context we think in - can help you do this.
TRAINING PROGRAMES
Critical Thinking
We realise that critical thinking skills are essential for today's world. Drawing on extensive experience in teaching and assessing critical thinking skills, we offer engaging workshops to enhance your skills and confidence in critical thinking.
Double package
For the best results of all we recommend taking the critical thinking training and then the maximise your thinking training. This way allows you to complete the maximising thinking training more swiftly.
Maximise your thinking
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Although essential, however, critical thinking skills are not sufficient for our thinking to be truly empowered. This is partly because humans are not purely logical, and because focusing purely on critical thinking misses out some of our most important skills, such as our natural creativity and intuition. Moreover, for our thinking to impact the world, we also need to be able to share it effectively, and also act on it. These are separate skills. To fully maximise your thinking, we offer a unique programme that takes you on a tour of the human mind, and provides you with the training and skills you need alongisde your knowledge for your thinking to truly impact the world.
Maximise your thinking
Comprehensive trainings on how to really maximise your thinking, targeting all four of the conditions needed for your thinkng to really have an impact on the world. Choose from:
Maximise your thinking: the essentials (2.5 hour workshop, in person, or virtually)
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Maximise your thinking: full course covers all the principal skills in greater depth, with greater chance for application (4-6 hours, depending on size and ability of cohort, or 2-3 hours if already taken the Specialised CT training)
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Mastery course: in-depth coverage of all the important skills; regular assessment of progress through tests and recapping; full chance for application. Follow-up coaching also available to cement learning and retention (12-16 hours)
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Focused trainings: Bespoke trainings and support on particular skill areas e.g. Sharing and aligning thinking; How to disagree productively
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What you learn
critical thinking and judgment
The most important skills and concepts from critical thinking made relevant and accessible. You will learn how to:
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Assess the reliability and significance of information
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Evaluate claims, arguments, ideas
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Pressure-test thinking: reveal flaws/ biases/ blindspots/ assumptions etc
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critical and creative thinking
The interplay between these quite different sides of our thinking. We show you how to:
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Exploit the natural human tendency to generate thoughts and ideas
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Enter 'play' mode; ways to encourage idea generation
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Switch the two sides on and off, when and how to move from more consciously effortful to more free-form instinctive thinking
sharing thinking
link thinking to action
Quite distinct from the skills of being able to think well are the skills of being able to share your thinking effectively. You will learn how to:
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Frame ideas so they land with others
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Anticipate and respond to objections
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Challenge others' ideas in ways that are powerful yet non-confrontational
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Handle uncertainty
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Recognise when enough thinking etc/ avoid over-thinking
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(when to) Have faith in instinct/ intuition/ common sense
However good your thinking is, for it to impact the world, it needs to... / for your thinking to be truly empowered, it needs to impact the world. We show you how to:
Specialist Critical Thinking Training
The great critical thinking crisis!
Not only does new technology threaten to erode our thinking skills, but the evidence suggests that those who are able to combine it with good critical thinking skills are at a decisive advantage over those that use it uncritically.
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For this reason, we offer specialised trainings and worshops on critical thinking. Unlike many other trainings or workshops you may find, these are delivered by an expert in the field who has co-authored books and articles on critical thinking as well as extensive experience teaching and assessing it.
Focused trainings on critical thinking skills.
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Choose from:
'Emergency surgery' workshop (2.5 hours): protect and enhance your critical thinking skills. Why a lot of critical thinking advice is unhelpful. What you can really do to improve your thinking - simple principles made clear and accessible, applied to real world contexts.
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Full course (6 hours): a more in-depth approach. Learn everything important there is to learn about critical thinking - impress people with your ability to spot a range of flawed arguments, explain what the difference is between evidence and examples, find out how to reveal implicit assumptions that underlie people's thinking​
what we cover
We begin by taking populuar ideas of what "critical thinking" consists of, such as 'examining the evidence before forming conclusions", "questioning things", "trying to avoid bias" and considering to what extent these are helpful. We then provide a set of more helpful principles and strategies - drawn from our extensive experience in both teaching and assessing critical thinking skills, which are designed to have real world application.
what you learn
You learn how to
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Quickly analyse information and assess its signifiance
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​Test ideas, claims, arguments, theories and models
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Pressure-test thinking to reveal blindspots and assumptions
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Judge evidence: the difference between evidence and examples; the power and also limitations of evidence - the role of principles and values especally in decision-making
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Assess the role of analogies, stories and metaphors
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Identify potential strengths and weaknesses in arguments, claims, evidence and ideas; be able to test these more formally and effectively
practical application
Our whole approach is designed around making critical thinking skills real world compatible - both in terms of facts about people and how they think and operate, and also in terms of the context that they think in. (See here) The skills and strategies we teach people are chosen for having maximum reach and designed to work in real world situations, in real time. (See pedagogy)
Quality assurance
We are confident that this is the best, most effective training on critical thinking you can get! If you are unhappy with the quality of the provision in any way then we will guarantee a refund!
Emergency critical thinking surgeries
There is a double crisis in critical thinking right now. Not only is there an urgent need to promote critical thinking, but much of the support and advice is unhelpful - and even misleading. Our emergency workshops look at the common misconceptions around critical thinking and how to correct for these. We show you why advice such as "don't jump to conclusions", "question your assumptions" or "analyse the information before making a decision" is at best unhelpful, and at worst actively misleading.
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Drawn from 20 years experience writing and designing thinking skills tests, as well as having co-authored books on critical thinking, we replace the unhelpful advice and common misconceptions with strategies that are actually useful; such as:
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What actually IS good evidence? What's the difference between evidence and examples?
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How do you actually reveal assumptions in your thinking? Which are the ones I should question?
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What constitutes a jump to a conclusion?
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How to test claims and inferences
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Our simple strategies, largely jargon-free, show you how you can incorporate critical thinking into your work and life, in ways that make sense and that are not confusing!
putting together your training
Diagnosing your needs
We always like to begin by finding out where, as an individual or an organisation, your main areas of strength are, and which areas where you would like further support. We can help you to diagnose these, with some simple interview or survey questions, which you can do in person or virtually. Often the issue is as much one of confidence as anything else, and this is something - with our focus on interpersonal/ sharing thinking - we are strong on.
Focus on desired area
Once we know which area or areas to target, we are able to personalise the training you need, with special focus on the desired area or areas.
To find out more about the ways we could support you and the training options available, please get in touch. Examples of activities and things you learn are often shared on LinkedIn so consider following us there
teaching approach and pedagogy
teaching background
Joe is an experienced teacher and teaching coach; he spent 17 years teaching 16-19 year olds so he knows how to keep lessons interactive and engaging!
avoid cognitive load
Joe is careful to avoid the use of unnecessary technical terminology. The aim after all is to bring clarity to people's thinking, not further clutter. He only selects the ideas that have the most cognitive fluency, and that are the most directly effective in terms of developing the four skill areas above
practical application
The focus throughout is on real world application. Ideas are applied to real world situations and contexts; delegates learn by doing, and discussing - and solving - problems together.
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
BACKGROUND
KRITIKOS: the origin story
KRITIKOS evolved from my work in both logical, analytical thinking, but also in more 'human' areas, for example teaching Literature, Drama, Creative Writing, and on emotionally-charged projects and contexts, which involved actual behavioural change (projects to prevent violent extremism).
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From out of this combination, I saw what was powerful about analytical, critical thinking; but I also saw its limitations. Increasingly, I became interested in how humans really think and operate – what goes on when we think, and what makes our thinking special.
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From this, I developed an approach to empowering human thinking that was true to our nature, and to the context we think in.
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My background
My background spans teaching and examining higher order thinking skills as well as teaching Philosophy, English Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing. I have worked with emotionally vulnerable people on initiatives to prevent violent extremism, and run poetry workshops in a local primary school. I have delivered workshops and training programmes to both schools and businesses (see testimonials.) A skilled teacher and teaching coach, I pride myself on delivering engaging trainings that fully engage all aspects of people's thinking,
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In terms of my work in thinking skills, I have 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. I was a senior examiner for the UK A level in Critical Thinking, and am currently a senior examiner for the International A level Knowledge and Inquiry. I have 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 I worked in radio.
