Gil Tyler's Critical Thinking Memorandum PHL 320 Wk1

docx

School

University of North Carolina, Greensboro *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

320

Subject

Business

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by MrandMrsT

P A G E | 1 CRITICAL THINKING MEMORANDUM GILBERT TYLER PHL/320 JULY 17, 2017 PROFESSOR JOSE RODRIGUEZ 1

P A G E | 2 GIL TYLER MEMORANDUM TO: GILBERT TYLER FROM: GIL TYLER SUBJECT: CRITICAL THINKING MEMORANDUM DATE: JULY 17, 2017 CC: PROFESSOR JOSE RODRIGUEZ This is a memorandum to myself in which I will discuss critical thinking. In this memorandum, I will explain critical thinking and why it is important. I will also provide an example from my personal experience in which I applied critical thinking to a business decision I had to make. I will continue by discussing the importance and benefits of using critical thinking, and relate the importance and benefits of critical thinking to the example provided. Finally, I discuss ways which I might use critical thinking in the chosen career path I wish to pursue. A lot of individuals have asked the question, “what is critical thinking and why is it Important?” Critical thinking is a way for us to improve upon the way we think and communicate with each other. It is another way to gather all the facts; analyze those facts, and come to an informed ethical determination. According to Melillo (2010), “By taking the path of a critical thinker; a person develops a mental process of evaluation which helps to determine their ethical standards” (para. 1). 2

P A G E | 3 Critical thinking is in other words, an intellectual way of thinking about any subject, or problem; in which you can improve the quality of your thinking. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism (Tyler, 2016) . Additionally, strengthening the ability to distinguish the difference between pertinent information and information that is not pertinent will enhance the ability to critically think (Moore & Parker, 2015). Critical thinking is important because, it helps you to find real root cause issues rather than solving superficial problems. Critical thinking also helps you to avoid creating future problems that can result from your actions. Using critical thinking in the workplace is vital. Many companies have a zero tolerance for sexual harassment, and the company I worked for was no exception. There was an individual in my organization that was accused of sexual harassment and I was place in charge of investigating the allegations. In situations like this, critical thinking is essential to gathering information and making a sound decision based solely on facts. My organization had a guide for us to use in these types of circumstances, which gave us steps to follow. These steps would include: Preliminary Considerations. Gathering Facts Interviewing the perpetrator Interviewing any corroboration witness’ 3

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

P A G E | 4 Evaluating the Facts and Making the Decision Submit the report to the decision-making official Follow up with the victim and perpetrator after the decision has been made During the preliminary consideration step, I had to determine who the investigators would be (had to be at least two). Create a confidential file, and determine a private location or room to conduct interviews (i-Sight, n.d) . I decided to use myself and another store manager as the investigators. We each created our own confidential files for the case, and decided that the interviews should be conducted at a remote location to help eliminate rumors, outside interferences, and biased opinions. To start we pulled the personnel files for all parties involved, as well as, the current company policy on sexual harassment. The first person that we interviewed was the victim, and this was to show that we take his/her complaint very serious. I explained the investigation process to the victim, and that we can’t promise complete confidentiality. Next, I asked the victim to give me in great detail what had transpired that lead him/her to believe they were harassed (i-Sight, n.d) . If the answer did not give the specifics I was looking for, I asked leading questions to get the specifics I was looking for. It was also important that I asked questions to determine the effects the harassment had on the victim. I also need to know if there were any witness that could 4

P A G E | 5 corroborate the victims story, and gather their names to conduct an interview with them. Now it was time for me to interview the individual accused (perpetrator) of the harassment. It was important that I explain the purpose of the interview, but also let him/her know that no decision has been made on the truthfulness of the allegations. After I explained the process that had to happen during the investigation, I asked the perpetrator a series of questions and asked him/her to respond to the allegations. I also needed to know if there were any witness’ that could verify or corroborate his/her story. Interviewing witnesses can be tricky and require some strong assessment skills. One thing that needs to take place is for you to try to elicit identity of the victim and perpetrator from the witness as opposed to identifying the victim and perpetrator to the witness at the beginning of the interview (i-Sight, n.d) . Good critical thinking skills come into play when you are trying to distinguish between firsthand and secondhand knowledge of the incident. The last part of the investigation, evaluating the facts and making a decision is the most crucial and life changing part of the investigation. Any decision will forever alter the life of either the victim, perpetrator, or both. In this case, we had to evaluate the facts, distinguish between unwelcome and voluntary sexual conduct. The only thing left to do was to review the 5

P A G E | 6 notes, apply some critical thinking, and make a decision based on sound factual information. Once we reviewed everything, we made our decision and turned it over to Human Resources with our recommendation. The use of critical thinking allowed me to successfully evaluate and determine who the real victim and perpetrator truly were. I was able to conclude which individual, if any, violated the company’s sexual harassment policy. There are many benefits to critical thinking. When applying critical thinking to everything; decisions can be made using logic to identify flaws in an argument to better formulate a reasonable and accurate conclusion. Successful critical thinking can help to eliminate errors in decision by making through analysis of supporting data and recognizing and determining whether data is fact or opinion. The great French philosopher Rene Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am”. The ability to think, and process that thought into forms of communication, is what makes us human and validates our existence (Tyler, 2016) . Our ability to think is what enhances our intellect, and by enhancing our intellect, we develop critical thinking skills. According to Melillo (2010), “By incorporating the critical thinking process into our mindset, it enables us to more effectively make better decisions based upon truths and verified information, rather than unknowns and variables” (para. 2). 6

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

P A G E | 7 We make decisions every day, and whether those decisions have moral compass, and are ethical in nature, will be decided by our ability to apply the critical thinking process. 7

P A G E | 8 References i-Sight. (n.d). Checklist for Sexual Harassment Investigations. Retrieved from Investigation Systems: http://www.customerexpressions.com/cex/cexweb.nsf/Checklist%20for %20Sexual%20Harassment%20Investigations.pdf Tyler, G. G. (2016, Nov 16). Critical Thinking and Ethics. Las Vegas, NV. Melillo, N. (2010). What is the relationship between critical thinking and ethics? Retrieved from http://www.triadsearchmarketing.com/what-is- the-relationship-between-critical-thinking-and-ethics/ 8

Related Documents

Traditional vs. e-Business.docx

Clear Approach for Analyzing and Designing.docx

FashionGo.Net.docx

BA350 Paper 1.docx

BA 350 Paper 2 Motivation of Employees.docx

SUSTN 353 FINAL FINAL ESSAY.docx

ASSESSMENT_TASK_5.docx.docx.docx

bus345_project._sprg2021.pdf

Janna_Rowell_TruEarth_Case.docx

JLight Legal Exercise 5.docx

CIS reading notes.docx

BU481 CLASS Notes.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

BUSN 11 Introduction to Business Student Edition

Business

ISBN:9781337407137

Author:Kelly

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Essentials of Business Communication (MindTap Cou...

Business

ISBN:9781337386494

Author:Mary Ellen Guffey, Dana Loewy

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Accounting Information Systems (14th Edition)

Business

ISBN:9780134474021

Author:Marshall B. Romney, Paul J. Steinbart

Publisher:PEARSON

Introduction to Business

Business

ISBN:9781947172548

Author:OpenStax

Publisher:OpenStax College

International Business: Competing in the Global M...

Business

ISBN:9781259929441

Author:Charles W. L. Hill Dr, G. Tomas M. Hult

Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education

Bcom

Business

ISBN:9780357026595

Author:LEHMAN, Carol M.

Publisher:Cengage Learning,

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

BUSN 11 Introduction to Business Student Edition
Business
ISBN:9781337407137
Author:Kelly
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Essentials of Business Communication (MindTap Cou...
Business
ISBN:9781337386494
Author:Mary Ellen Guffey, Dana Loewy
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Accounting Information Systems (14th Edition)
Business
ISBN:9780134474021
Author:Marshall B. Romney, Paul J. Steinbart
Publisher:PEARSON
Introduction to Business
Business
ISBN:9781947172548
Author:OpenStax
Publisher:OpenStax College
International Business: Competing in the Global M...
Business
ISBN:9781259929441
Author:Charles W. L. Hill Dr, G. Tomas M. Hult
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Bcom
Business
ISBN:9780357026595
Author:LEHMAN, Carol M.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,