What’s Your Decision-Making Superpower?

How Learning Styles Shape Critical Thinking

Why do some people thrive under pressure while others freeze? 

Why do bold innovators clash with careful analysts in meetings? 

The answer lies in how your brain naturally approaches decisions—and how you can hack it to think smarter. 

The Critical Thinking Puzzle: Four Learners, Four Strengths

Every day, we make hundreds of decisions, from choosing a coffee order to evaluating business risks. But why do equally smart people often disagree on the "right" choice? Psychologist David Kolb identified four learning styles that shape how we process information. When paired with the AIM critical thinking framework (Assess, Identify, Make), these styles become secret weapons for better decisions. Here’s how each type thinks—and where they stumble.

The Secret Weapon: AIM for All

No style is "best"—the magic happens when teams combine them. A successful product launch might need:

• The Explorer’s wild ideas

• The Architect’s metrics

• The Engineer’s prototypes

• The Spark’s user feedback

Try This Now:  

1. Assess: Which style feels most like you?

2. Identify: What’s one recent decision where your style helped—or hurt?

3. Make: Pair with someone whose style opposes yours on your next project. 

Final Thought: 

Critical thinking isn’t about being "right." It’s about knowing how your brain works—and when to outsmart it.

Critical Thinking Style Self-Assessment Quiz 

Discover your decision-making superpower (and blind spots) in 10 questions 

Instructions: 

For each scenario, pick the response that feels most natural to you. No overthinking—go with your gut!  

https://youtu.be/s1GGc0sT8EA 

1. When faced with a complex problem at work, I typically: 

A) Brainstorm many possible solutions with colleagues 

B) Research theories or models that might explain it 

C) Test practical solutions right away 

D) Trust my instincts based on past experiences 

2. In meetings, I’m most valuable when I: 

A) Suggest creative alternatives others haven’t considered 

B) Organize everyone’s ideas into a clear framework 

C) Push the group to choose and act on a solution 

D) Notice unspoken team dynamics or emotional cues  

3. My ideal learning activity is: 

A) A lively debate with diverse viewpoints 

B) A well-structured lecture with clear concepts 

C) A hands-on workshop where I build something 

D) A real-world case study with role-playing  

4. When making a big decision, I worry most about: 

A) Missing a key perspective or option 

B) Relying on flawed logic or incomplete data 

C) Delaying action for too long 

D) Overlooking how people will feel about it 

5. My colleagues would describe me as: 

A) Imaginative and open-minded 

B) Analytical and systematic 

C) Results-driven and practical 

D) Adaptable and people-savvy 

6. If a project fails, I first: 

A) Reflect on what we could have done differently 

B) Analyze exactly where the process broke down 

C) Fix the most obvious issue and try again 

D) Ask my team for honest feedback 

7. When reading a report, I focus on: 

A) The "big picture" implications and possibilities 

B) Whether the data supports the conclusions 

C) The actionable recommendations 

D) How the findings might impact stakeholders 

8. I’m most frustrated by people who: 

A) Dismiss creative ideas too quickly 

B) Make decisions based on gut feelings alone 

C) Talk endlessly without taking action 

D) Ignore team morale or workplace culture  

9. My favorite projects involve: 

A) Generating bold new ideas (e.g., marketing campaigns) 

B) Solving technical/logical puzzles (e.g., process optimization) 

C) Building tangible solutions (e.g., product prototypes) 

D) Collaborating closely with others (e.g., team trainings)  

10. Under pressure, I tend to: 

A) Explore all options before committing 

B) Look for patterns or rules to guide me 

C) Choose the fastest path forward 

D) Rely on trusted colleagues’ input

Try retaking the quiz as if you were your work nemesis—you might gain empathy! 

What’s Next? 

1. Assess: Review your style’s strengths/weaknesses.  

2. Identify: Recall one recent decision where your style helped or hindered you.  

3. Make: Pair with someone whose style complements yours on your next project

• Critical Thinking

  • Lesson 1: Critical Thinking in Action

  • Lesson 2: Bias Recognition (Identify)

  • Lesson 3: Inference (Make)

  • Lesson 4: Problem-Solving (Assess + Make)

  • Lesson 5: Evaluation (Assess + Identify)

  • Lesson 6: Metacognition (Identify)

  • Pre-Capstone Prep: Review & Progress Check

  • Capstone Lesson: Critical Thinking Certification Challenge

• How Learning Styles Shape Critical Thinking

• Competencies, Critical Thinking & AIM

• Achieve More with Less Using Critical Thinking

• Integrating core critical thinking skills with the AIM framework

• Integrating Emotional Intelligence

• How to Solve Community Problems with EQ, Critical Thinking & AIM