Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Area
Soft skills
Duration
5 sessions
Dimension of the advised group of students
One group of 10-20 people divided in small groups of 2 or 4, depending on the activity
Specific objectives
- to develop critical thinking
- to possess strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving
skills
- to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems
Needed Materials
- Photocopies of activities
- Flip chart/markers
- Paper and writing instruments of choice for each participant
If the training is organized online one communication platform will be necessary.
Software
- One online communication platform, such us: Zoom, Google Meet,
Webex, etc.
- In person, no software is needed.
Description
The activities included in Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success will help
participants have the necessary skills to identify solutions to problems. Employers
want employees who can work through problems on their own or as an effective
member of a team. Ideal employees can think critically and creatively, share
thoughts and opinions, use good judgment, and make decisions.
The activities in this section focus on learning how to solve problems in a variety
of ways. Participants will hear about how to properly tell the difference among
criticism, praise, and feedback and reacting appropriately. The section will also
review strategies for making ethical decisions, solving problems on a team with
others, and learning how to take into account others’ perceptions when assessing
actions or statements in the workplace.
Building self-determination skills, such as goal setting, decision-making, selfadvocacy,
and problem solving should be included in career planning for all
youth. Youth with disabilities and/or other (perceived) barriers and/or
disconnected youth will tend to have a resiliency not always experienced by their
same aged peers – and not always easily seen or understood by themselves or by adults. You are encouraged to use the activities in this section to help young
people explore how the obstacles they (or those they know) may face in life can
pose an opportunity for developing and demonstrating maturity, responsibility,
and wisdom. Providing young people with safe opportunities to explore how their
personal resiliency can be used to develop enhanced problem solving and conflict
resolutions skills is an opportunity many adults may shy away from, but one that
may ultimately be a gift.
Procedure on how to put in practice
One of the selected activities could be:
Problem Solving on a Team
Duration: 45 minutes
No of participants: 10-20 students in groups
Methods used: answering questions and reflecting on answers
Competences developed: critical thinking, self-reflection, self-assessment
Step-by-step description:
1. Present participants in groups with 10 different situations where the
action of one team member is interfering with the team’s success.
2. Have participants act out or create a skit for each situation – providing
both positive and negative alternatives for working through and solving
each problem. Participants should take turns being the “difficult” team
member. Participants can compare skits and responses and, ultimately,
decide (as a larger group) on the best way(s) to handle each situation.
3. Should each person on the team be “dealt” with in the same way? Are
there ever any exceptions? Explain.
Debriefing question: Think about a time when you were on a team and one
member of the team wasn’t con- tributing. How was the situation handled? What
might you have done differently? If you are a team leader, what can you do to
h elp all team members contribute?
