Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a mode of thinking in which one improves the quality of their thought by analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing. Critical thinkers demonstrate the ability to be self-directed, self-disciplined, as well as, being able to self-correct. Some of the benefits of critical thinking are to be able to have a strong command of one’s mind, uphold standards, and have better problem solving abilities. Making the commitment to overcome ones egocentrism and sociocentrism and be able to articulate the process of how one came to the conclusion as well as how the solution itself will be beneficial. Results will vary according to the diligence of the process by which one is able to properly identify the problem, ask the right questions when gathering information, and understanding the implications of one’s conclusions (unintended consequences). As you assess your thinking, checking for clarity, precision, logic and fairness you are more apt to have a viable solution. Social background, habits, politics, religion, and other biases are all examples of which one should be cognizant of and intellectually honest about when making assumptions to formulate decisions.
The fundamentals of organizing any company are based on integration. Sometimes a business needs to undergo some major organizational and structural changes. Thinking critical, establishing clear vision and goals, one can set the direction him or her feels in which way they should move. These goals should be trickled down to the different functional divisions and ultimately to lower level managers. The most important thing is to have everybody understand that we are all in this together and we all need to step up. We cannot sacrifice quality of product or service, if there is in fact, downsizing or new team members, but to work smarter not harder. Inspiring the team to be more flexible, as well as, aware of the customers’ needs and our willingness to fulfill them.
When one has established a logical, clear line of responsibility and their managers are constantly looking for opportunities to improve by making wise decisions. The overall structure of our organization contributes in a large part to the successfulness of all our businesses and/or parts. The company as a whole, as changes emerge, whether in politics, nature, or customer’s desires, needs to be flexible in their approach to solving issues that may arise. Anticipation and proper assessments will allow for the ability to manage the business and keep their responsibilities to the franchise, the clients, and each other.
George Augusta Escoffier was leader in strategy and effectiveness. An artist, embarking on a journey, life, at the age of thirteen, playing in his grandmother’s kitchen, his admiration and enthusiasm called to him. The devotion of an artist to interpret the beauty around him set the wheels in motion for him to dedicate his life to the creations of delicacies.
He was brought to Nice to work in his brother’s restaurant. There was no nepotism to be found, no special favors from his uncle, or brother as an apprentice. From early in his training strict discipline was what he remembered with appreciation.
This is Photo of a 1st Edition Escoffier (English Version), given to me by Chef Stephen Doherty MOGB, after working for him in his gastro pubs in the Lakelands and Lancashire UK.
Georges Auguste Escoffier was a French Chef, restaurateur culinary writer. Updating traditional French cooking methods, he is a legendary figure among gourmands. Much of Escoffier's technique was based on that of Antoine Carême's, one of the organizers of French Haute Cuisine, but Escoffier's achievement simplified and modernized Carême's elaborate style.
Besides his culmination of creations and recipes, Escoffier developed the modern organization of a kitchen, The Brigade de Cuisine system. With this system he sought to elevate the status of the chef to a respected profession, as well as, introducing organized discipline to his kitchens. Escoffier’s Le Guide Culinaire,is still used as a major reference work, as a cookbook and a textbook on cooking.
You don’t need to have sight to have vision. As America is deemed to be progressing, in some ways it is also digressing. Changes trending away from our core values, remarkably pertinent to our present time, can be summed up by Abraham Lincoln,
"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift; you cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."
Lincoln’s understanding of that moral code, the American dream, largely portrayed through the Declaration of Independence, and our Constitution of which were not meant solely in establishing liberty and a road map for the United States, but to shine as a beacon of hope for the whole world to aspire to if they so choose.
