# The Art of Thinking Well By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-01-25 Humans are thinking animals. We think all the time. When things are boring, we can generate entire worlds in our minds. When a problem is vexing, we can research, reflect, collaborate, and overcome it. Voltaire said something to the effect of “no problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” Part of the education process is to cultivate and refine this inherent capability. We all think - we don’t necessarily all think well. One hallmark of thinking well is to not accept a position based on its general acceptance or the authority of the one espousing it. Questioning authority is part of thinking well. But there is an important caveat to this. One shouldn’t reject a position simply because it is espoused by a person in authority. One must think. Accepting or rejecting everything is the same type of foolishness. As organizational problems become increasingly complex, the art of thinking well becomes ever more essential. This isn’t an elite function. Abstract thinking will need to combine with concrete know-how to address and overcome the wicked problems we face organizationally. Analytic tools and techniques can help, but they are not the answer. We are the answer. Humans are much of the problem and all the solution. Thriving organizations cultivate the art of thinking well as foundational to the authenticity and solidarity propelling creativity and success. #### Related Items [[Thinking]] [[Analytics]] [[Authority]] [[Problem Solving]] [[Solidarity]]