Consistently engage in metacognition—thinking about your thinking and related actions.

This sounds so simple but it is surprising how many people don’t practice metacognition.
It’s one of the most important skills any person can have and is essential for good managers.
Thinking about your own thinking helps you to understand your motivations, biases,
mistakes, desires and can help you be strategic about moving forward in all parts of your life,
personal and professional. To do this:

a. Reflect upon your actions, thoughts and plans, both task-oriented and strategic.
b. Practice constant evaluation of projects and goals.
c. Be ready to change based upon new input and reflection from colleagues and your
own employees.
d. Learn from your mistakes and your triumphs.
e. Recognize your emotions and their effects on the thoughts and actions—both of
yourself and others.

Set standards by which to measure results. This helps bring focus, formulate plans and set goals.

Read more at http://www.changethis.com/17.CriticalThinking

Crystal King provides a how-to think critically guide. With many choices in today’s world, managers need to be able to think critically and encourage their employees to do the same. While this manifesto specifically targets managers, it can help anyone become a more proficient critical thinker.