Rerun - The Art of Critical Thinking

Changing Minds with Owen Fitzpatrick

In this encore episode, I revisit one of the most essential skills for leaders, decision-makers, and lifelong learners: critical thinking.

We explore why thinking critically is harder than it sounds and how emotional reactions, cognitive biases, and everyday pressures often get in the way. You'll hear practical insights on how to navigate those roadblocks and sharpen your thinking in any situation.

Common barriers to critical thinking:

• Emotional reactions

• Cognitive biases

• Time and energy constraints

• Lack of awareness or information

• Overthinking and the “curse of knowledge”

Key questions to think more critically:

• What information do I have, and what’s missing?

• How accurate or biased is the data?

• What’s the context right now, and what could this mean moving forward?

• How might this impact the bigger picture?

• What emotional, relational, or political dynamics are at play?

If you’re looking to refine your judgment, make better decisions, and lead with clarity, this episode is a must-listen.