Habits of Mind

What is a habit of mind? At uni we have learnt about Arthur Costa and his 16 Habits of Mind.

'A "Habit of Mind” means having a disposition toward behaving intelligently when confronted with problems, the answers to which are not immediately known. When humans experience dichotomies, are confused by dilemmas, or come face to face with uncertainties--our most effective actions require drawing forth certain patterns of intellectual behavior. When we draw upon these intellectual resources, the results that are produced through are more powerful, of higher quality and greater significance than if we fail to employ those patterns of intellectual behaviors.' (http://www.habits-of-mind.net/whatare.htm)

The 16 Habits of Mind Arthur has developed are:
1. Persisting
2. Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision
3. Managing impulsivity
4. Gathering data through all senses
5. Listening with understanding and empathy
6. Creating, imagining, innovating
7. Thinking flexibly
8. Responding with wonderment and awe
9. Thinking about thinking (metacognition)
10. Taking responsible risks
11. Striving for accuracy
12. Finding humor
13. Questioning and posing problems
14. Thinking interdependently
15. Applying past knowledge to new situations
16. Remaining open to continuous learning

Why do you think it is important to know these habits? These habits are actually attributes of what humans do when they behave intelligently. Costa says that these attributes are the characteristics of what intelligent people do when they are faced with problems.

As God has given us the ability to think I believe it is up to us whether or not we use our thinking wisely. Especially when we know that this life is full of situations we do not know the answer to instinctively.

Those of us who are leaders should take a hold of these habits as they can help shape our thinking so we can become the best leader we can be.

Keep reading these blogs as I research each habit more in depth.

-Michelle