Critical thinking and problem-solving skills involve analyzing patterns, particularly in human behavior. This is not about employing the scientific method, but rather observing patterns of behavior across various contexts to understand people better.
Consider how people’s behavior changes in different situations:
- Business vs. personal
- Junior vs. senior vs. peers
- Formal events vs. informal events
- Regularly breaking rules vs. not
- Respectful to others or not
By observing these patterns, you can begin to see who people truly are and differentiate between authentic individuals and those who are not. Effective leaders can shift between contexts and adapt their tone and style, but their core message or way of being stays consistent. It’s when you see significant swings in behavior that problems may arise.
Pay attention to the way people interact with others. Do they show respect and consideration to everyone, or do they treat people differently based on their status? For example, do they suck up to senior people and disregard those who are younger or less experienced?
Observe how senior-level individuals interact with others. Do they surround themselves with trusted colleagues, or are they willing to engage with people at all levels, including those working on the front lines? The way they conduct themselves can reveal a lot about how they see themselves and others.
There’s a quote that I came across during my time in the Navy: “The ladder to success is built on the backs of your peers.” While not everyone can be the star or the one who gets promoted, the way you climb that ladder can significantly impact how others perceive you. People will remember your behavior if you reach a senior position and have treated others with disrespect along the way.
As an aspiring leader, you’ll need to adjust how you talk to people and present yourself in various social scenarios. While navigating this, watch out for outliers—behaviors from people that are inconsistent with the norm.
To improve your pattern recognition and problem-solving skills, look for consistencies and differences in behavior. What stands out when everyone is doing the same thing? Focus on that situation and apply discernment to determine how it may affect you.
