Effective Global Citizens - Skill #1

In this brave new world, what is it that will distinguish individuals with all the hats they wear -- as employees, board members, students, entrepreneurs, parents, and future leaders?
Answer: The ability to determine what is really going on, and act accordingly.

Critical thinking, inquiry skills - bottom line, how to glean information, inspire new conversations, think in new ways - all by asking the right questions, will be skill #1.

How are your questioning skills? Are you confident in your ability to ask questions?

• Key tip: think like a reporter: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.

Make this your mental checklist when you are going about your daily activities.

Who, What, When, Where, Why, How are the pegs I use to make sure I am asking all the right questions or in my writing covering all the relevant points.

Journalistic training unfortunately does not reach everyone, which in this day and age, where all have been anointed citizen journalist status, can become problematic!

Schools have an important role to play in encouraging these new skills, and, in fact, the ability of our students to be effective global citizens rests partly in their hands. Rote skills are important, and command of facts is impressive, but one who can question, synthesize, adjust and turn on a dime will come out ahead in this brave new world!