Logical Thinking & Critical Thinking - The Power to Think Through Things Correctly
Logical thinking that organizes information and thinks systematically becomes the foundation for solving complex problems and building persuasive opinions.
Why Logical Thinking is Required
In business and daily life, we are constantly asked to make judgments and decisions. However, judgments relying only on intuition and experience often lead to errors. Logical thinking is a way of thinking that structurally organizes things and derives conclusions based on evidence.
By acquiring this ability, you become able to decompose complex problems into elements and identify the essence. Also, when conveying your thoughts to others, logical structure dramatically increases persuasiveness.
Basic Elements of Logical Thinking
MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive)
When analyzing problems, it's important to classify elements without omissions or overlaps. This principle allows you to grasp the whole picture while proceeding with examination efficiently.
Pyramid Structure
A composition method that places conclusions at the top and shows their bases hierarchically. By presenting the conclusion the other party most wants to know first and explaining details as needed, effective communication becomes possible.
Identifying Issues
Setting the right problem to solve greatly affects productivity. The ability to identify "what should be solved in the first place" is the key to producing results in limited time.
Recommended Books
The following books are well-established works that allow you to systematically learn from basics to practical application of logical thinking.
Logical Thinking
This book systematically explains the basics of logical thinking required in business. By mastering frameworks such as MECE and So What?/Why So?, you can organize complex information and make persuasive proposals. This book allows you to learn practical methods cultivated in the consulting industry through concrete examples.
- The basic principle of organizing information is MECE classification - mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive
- The quality of logic improves by always asking 'So what?' and 'Why can you say that?'
- Messages that communicate to others are built on vertical and horizontal logical structures
- Logical thinking is not talent but a skill acquired through mastering basic principles and practice
A book by authors from McKinsey explaining logical thinking and text composition techniques. Through frameworks like MECE and So What?/Why So?, you can learn the basics of logical thinking required in business. It's a long-seller that has been read for over 20 years since its release in 2001.
The Pyramid Principle
This book explains in detail the pyramid principle for organizing thoughts and writing persuasive documents. The method of presenting conclusions first and structuring supporting evidence hierarchically becomes a powerful weapon in creating reports and proposals. This is the definitive work on logical document writing that consultants and business professionals around the world have studied.
- Thoughts should always be organized in a pyramid structure with the conclusion at the top
- Readers want to know the conclusion first and read details as needed
- Grouped ideas must be logically arranged using induction or deduction
- To write clear text, you must first clarify your thoughts
新版 考える技術・書く技術 問題解決力を伸ばすピラミッド原則
バーバラ・ミント, 山崎 康司 / ダイヤモンド社 / 1999-03-04
マッキンゼーをはじめ、世界の主要コンサルティング会社、さらに...
The author, who has taught for many years at a global consulting company, explains the pyramid principle in detail. Supported by many business professionals as a methodology for organizing thoughts and writing persuasive documents, it's the definitive book on logical document creation.
Issue Driven
This book presents an essential approach to increasing intellectual productivity. The perspective that correctly setting the problem to solve (the issue) determines productivity has become a catalyst for changing many people's work styles. Based on experience at McKinsey and Yahoo, you can learn practical and essential thinking methods.
- Highly productive work is determined by the quality of the problem to solve (the issue)
- Avoid the 'dog's path' and tackle problems with high issue importance first
- A good issue satisfies three elements: 'essential,' 'deep hypothesis,' and 'answerable'
- The outcome of intellectual production is determined by multiplying issue importance and solution quality
A book by an author who worked at McKinsey and Yahoo explaining the essence of intellectual productivity. The perspective that setting the issue of "what to answer" determines productivity has given many readers new insights.
Logical Presentation
This book explains proposal techniques for effectively conveying logically considered content to others. Based on practical experience cultivated as a strategy consultant, it specifically shows the causes and countermeasures for proposals not being accepted. By training both thinking ability and communication ability, you can acquire practical skills for achieving results in business.
- The reason proposals fail is either lack of logic or weak hypotheses
- Both vertical logic (cause and effect) and horizontal logic (comprehensiveness) must be satisfied
- It's important to understand the other person's position and interests and choose how to communicate accordingly
- An approach of forming and testing hypotheses early is more efficient than perfect analysis
ロジカル・プレゼンテーション――自分の考えを効果的に伝える戦略コンサルタントの「提案の技術」
高田 貴久 / 英治出版 / 2004-02-01
「考える力」×「伝える力」 若手から中堅、管理職、経営者層ま...
A book systematizing proposal techniques cultivated as a strategic consultant. You can learn specific methods for not just thinking logically but effectively conveying those thoughts. It features practical content that can be immediately utilized in practice.
Summary
Logical thinking is a skill that can be acquired through training, not innate talent. By learning basic frameworks and consciously using them daily, the quality of thinking definitely improves. Through the books introduced, we hope you'll polish your ability to organize your thoughts and correctly communicate them to others.