To nurture a high-performing workforce, businesses must invest in their employees’ cognitive skills development. Studies have shown a strong correlation between cognitive skills training and workforce productivity.
A study by the Corporate Leadership Council found that companies that provide cognitive skills training see an average return on investment of $1.30 for every dollar spent. Furthermore, participants in the study who received cognitive skills training were 28% more productive than those who did not.
The bottom line is that if you want your business to thrive, you must invest in your employees’ cognitive skills development. The benefits are clear – improved productivity and a more skilled and engaged workforce. However, you need to identify the best cognitive skills to improve within your employees. Here are the aspects on top of the list.
Decision-Making
Decision-making is the ability to make sound decisions based on evidence and reason. It is a critical skill in today’s economy, as businesses must constantly make decisions in an ever-changing landscape. Employees need to think critically and weigh different options to make good decisions.
Decision-making is essential in all fields but is especially critical in rapidly changing or complex areas. In these fields, employees need to be able to assess different options and make sound decisions quickly.
Fock Siew Wah of Singapore believes in employees needing decision-making skills. The SMRT Chairman said, “To be successful, employees must know how to make decisions quickly and correctly. They must also have the courage to stand by their decisions.”
Fortunately, decision-making is a skill that employees can develop. Employees can understand decision-making techniques, such as cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment. Companies can provide training in these techniques to help employees hone their decision-making skills.
Critical Thinking
Thinking critically is one of the essential skills a worker can have in today’s economy. Critical thinking allows employees to see beyond the surface of problems and find innovative solutions. It enables them to make sound decisions based on evidence and reason and to solve complex problems.
Critical thinking is critical in fields that are rapidly changing or that are rife with uncertainty. In these fields, it is essential to be able to think creatively and adapt quickly. Critical thinking also enables workers to be more independent and self-reliant.
So how can companies hone this vital skill in their employees? One way is to provide training in critical thinking techniques. Another way to encourage critical thinking is to create a corporate culture that values it. This strategy can teach employees to ask the right questions, analyze evidence, and generate alternatives. Companies can also promote a culture of critical thinking by encouraging employees to debate ideas and rewarding innovation.
Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is another essential cognitive skill. It is the ability to identify problems and find practical solutions. To solve problems effectively, workers need to be able to think creatively and critically. They must also break down problems into smaller pieces and understand the relationships between different variables.
Problem-solving is essential in all fields, but it is especially critical in rapidly changing areas or complex and uncertain. In these fields, employees need to be able to identify problems and find innovative solutions quickly.
Fortunately, problem-solving is a skill that employees can learn. Workers can understand many problem-solving techniques, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and lateral thinking. Companies can provide training in these techniques to help employees hone their problem-solving skills.
Creativity
Creativity is the ability to generate new and innovative ideas. It is a critical skill in today’s economy, as businesses must constantly find new ways to stay ahead of the competition. To be creative, workers need to be able to think outside the box and see problems from different perspectives.
Creativity is essential in fields that are rapidly changing or that are complex and uncertain. In these fields, employees need to be able to generate new ideas quickly and adapt to change. However, creativity is also essential in more traditional areas, as businesses must constantly find new ways to improve their products and services.
Fortunately, employees can hone their creativity through experience. The more they immerse themselves in new and challenging experiences, the more creative they will become.
Innovation
Innovation is the ability to take creative ideas and turn them into practical solutions. It is the process of turning an idea into reality. To be innovative, workers need to be able to generate new ideas, but they also need to have the skills to bring those ideas to fruition.
Innovative employees are essential in all fields today. In rapidly changing areas, innovation is critical to success. In more traditional fields, innovation is vital for businesses to improve their products and services.
Innovation might be a critical skill, but it comes from passion and a deep understanding of the issue. So how can companies encourage innovation in their employees? One way is to provide opportunities for employees to work on projects outside their comfort zone. This will help them develop new skills and perspectives. Another way to encourage innovation is to create a corporate culture that values creativity and risk-taking.
Final Thoughts
Cognitive skills are essential for success in today’s economy. To be successful, workers need to be able to think critically, solve problems, be creative, and innovate. Companies can promote a culture of cognitive skills by providing training in critical thinking techniques, encouraging debate and discussion, and rewarding innovation.