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As a Man Think in his heart, so is he.
- James Allen
Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it.
- Henry Ford
The Heart is the Source of Thoughts and Emotions
- Kemitan (Ancient Egyptian) philosophy
Everyone engages in conscious or subconscious thought, an activity that is hardwired in humans’ being. However, arriving at a precise and concise definition of thinking is no simple task. Thinking is a complex phenomenon that remains the subject of ongoing debate among psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists. Various complex theories describe its nature, encompassing consciousness, cognition, and memory, each of which constitutes critical components of the thinking process. Despite abundant literature on thinking within the business leadership community, many books, publications, or blogs fail to elucidate the reasons behind the mechanics of thinking.
In his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," Daniel Kahneman provides a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of thought originating from the mind or brain. To elucidate his argument, he introduces two fictional characters, "System 1" and "System 2," within the mind. "System 1" thinking operates swiftly, automatically, reflexively, effortlessly, and intuitively, while "System 2" thinking is deliberate, dynamic, slow, demanding effort and focus. Through deliberate action, "System 2" governs "System 1." Emulating System 2 thinking is challenging due to its requirement for substantial effort, discipline, integrity, and patience. Henry Ford's aforementioned quote pertains to System 2, emphasizing its difficulty and why "so few engage in it." Economically speaking, those who engage in System 2 thinking are and will continue to be rewarded for their contributions to the advancement of humanity and the universe. This reward for effective thinking will be more evident in this era of the artificial intelligence super-cycle where software and robots increasingly replace knowledge workers in many industries.
Kahneman's fictional personas inhabit the realm of the mind, yet he is not alone in positing that thinking occurs within the brain. This concept aligns with the teachings of western psychologists throughout history, tracing back to ancient Greek civilization. In essence, for psychologists trained in the western tradition, thought originates from the mind; it’s a brainiac activity. It’s important to note that interpretation of the origin of thought is not universal. In Kemit, and in many African traditions, the heart holds significance as the locus of thoughts and emotions. Notably, the culture and civilization of Ancient Egypt, or Kemit, predate those of Ancient Greece. It is widely acknowledged that many eminent Greek thinkers, such as Thales and Pythagoras, received their education in Kemit. Nevertheless, there is a divergence between the two traditions on the source of thought. This contrast serves to underscore the diversity and unresolved nature of theories regarding the inner workings of thought.
While there is much more to uncover, contemporary psychology has provided valuable insights into the process of thinking. For humanity to advance and flourish, there remains a crucial necessity for thinkers. Thinking serves as the primary tool for understanding nature, hence its relevance. Our modes of thought are deeply intertwined with our respective cultures, civilizations, and experiences. Some cultures, namely African traditions tracing back to Kemit emphasize concepts such as "wholeness," "togetherness," "community," and "spirituality." Others such as the Western traditions advocate for concepts such as "Partitions," "Alone," "Individualism," and "Religion," among others. Effective thinkers should embrace both cultural paradigms to foster a diversity of thoughts and facilitate genuine progress for all. The combination of our cultural heritage with the framework of our cognitive and memory structures forms the basis of our biases in thinking. Whenever encountering literature on various types of thinking, it is crucial to consider the author's underlying philosophical stance to enhance contextual understanding. Equally important is the recognition and acknowledgment of our own inherent biases.
There are numerous types of thinking models, with the prominent ones in business media being strategic thinking, analytical thinking, critical thinking, integrated thinking, and design thinking. All these models incorporate elements of intuition and share characteristics akin to "System 2" thinking, necessitating considerable effort, focus, humility, and honesty regarding biases. Despite their prevalence in discourse, business schools and media often fail to provide clear distinctions between these types of thinking, often resorting to creative relabeling and marketing of existing concepts.
Critical thinking, a cornerstone of cognitive discipline, is marked by curiosity, skepticism, emotional control, creativity, and intellectual rigor. Arguably, all major types of thinking embody critical thinking principles. For instance, strategic thinking, amidst uncertain contexts, demands creativity and openness, deviating from conventional binary outcomes to embrace a spectrum of possibilities.
Integrated thinking emphasizes holistic decision-making, involving the alignment of organizational strategy, operational execution, follow-up actions, and governance within one's thought process. Paradoxically, an effective strategic thinking process mirrors this approach. Similarly, design thinking, borrowing from scientific problem-solving methodologies, integrates critical thinking attributes within a structured framework comprising problem definition, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement.
Each type of thinking inherently involves some analysis of data, uncertainty, and use of available resources, and underscoring the interconnectedness of cognitive processes. Consequently, analytical thinking is not regarded as a distinct process but rather as an integral component of serious thinking endeavors.
A less emphasized yet profoundly influential mode of thinking is first principle thinking, rooted in ancient philosophies adopted by civilizations like Kemit and Ancient Greece. Characterized by a quest for truth, it challenges conventional wisdom, questions assumptions, and starts cognitive processes with a pursuit of probabilistic truths. Widely acclaimed technology innovators such as Elon Musk, Steve Jobs and the former Singaporean stateman Lee Kuan Yew exemplify the application of first principle thinking by creating groundbreaking innovations in their respective fields.
Every leader is foremost in the thinking business. Deliberative or critical thinking, albeit arduous, is indispensable for societal progress. Its scarcity underscores the pressing need for adept thinkers across industries, particularly in the era of the artificial intelligence super-cycle. Understanding diverse thinking models, including critical and design thinking, is paramount. Strategic thinking is serving as a linchpin for major innovations. Embracing first principle thinking can further enhance efficiency and foster groundbreaking inventions, propelling humanity forward in its quest for advancement.
Until we meet again, keep thinking effectively.
Fal Diabaté
Managing Partner, Barra Advisory Group