Leadership Impact
Becoming an effective thinker
Effective learning, understanding and innovation
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking by Burger & Starbird
Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed
Industries of the Future by Alec Ross
1. Understand Deeply
- Don't face complex issues head-on. Understand the basics first.
- Clear the clutter and get to the heart of what is important.
- Be honest about what you know and don't know.
- Understand the gaps and fill them in.
- Rock solid understanding is the foundation for success.
2. Make Mistakes
- Mistakes are great teachers.
- They highlight unforeseen opportunities and holes in your understanding.
- They show you which way to turn next and ignite your imagination.
3. Raise Questions
- Constantly create questions to clarify and extend your understanding.
- What's the real question?
- Ideas are in the air; questions will help bring them out and help you see connections that otherwise would have been invisible.
4. Follow the Flow of Ideas
- Look back to see where ideas came from and then look ahead to discover where they may lead.
- A new idea is a beginning, not an end.
5. Change: The Quintessential Element
Change is the universal constant that helps you get the most out of life and living.
“As I see it, the best sort of schooling is organized around problems, projects, and questions—as opposed to facts, skills, and disciplines. Knowledge is acquired, of course, but in a context and for a purpose."
Excerpts from: Kohn, Alfie, "What Does It Mean to Be Well Educated?"
Pauline Dow, Ed.D.
Chief Instructional Officer, North East ISD
Email: pdow@neisd.net
Website: http://www.neisd.net/div/currinst/instruction.html
Location: 8961 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: (210) 407-0545
Twitter: @paulinedow