February, 2026 | msg life Slovakia

How to improve critical thinking and how can it help you

Posted on 24. 02. 202625. 08. 2025 by Zuzana Kocáková

If we ask what thinking is, we know the answer: it is a complex mental process that involves the ability to process information, form ideas, solve problems, and make judgments. What forms of thinking do we know and how to change our thinking? What is critical thinking and how to improve it properly?

Critical thinking is a quality that is often talked about, but not everyone knows exactly what it means. However, this is an important characteristic that appears many times in advertisements and job offers.

Critical thinking meaning

Critical thinking, often called “good thinking,” is a process where an individual thinks systematically, logically, and objectively. They can make thoughtful decisions, solve problems and develop new mind operations. Good thinking is important in all areas of life, from personal decision-making, to professional work, to social and political conversation or speeches.
In practice, critical thinking is demonstrated by the fact that one does not just look at a situation superficially, but can go deep. They also have an open mind and try to look at the issue from multiple perspectives.

Thanks to this, they are much better at reasoning and communicating logically with others. A critical thinker is able to observe their surroundings and other people’s mind operations. Their expression is clear and understandable. They does not jump from one topic to another and are very easy to listen to.

Critical thinking and logical thinking are related, and overall, logical thinking provides the basic structure that critical thinking uses in evaluating information and forming opinions. Critical thinking then develops these logical skills and applies them to the analysis of different situations and arguments. Logical thinking also refers to rational thinking. A fundamental feature for rational thinking is the ability to draw the right conclusions from the available evidence and to use logic to solve problems.

Logical thinking meaning

The logical thinking is analyzing a situation or problem using reason and coming up with potential solutions. It is a special form of human mental activity that makes it possible to understand everything that surrounds us, and the relationships or differences that exist between actions, objects or events observable by analysis and comparison. Logical thinking is not limited to mathematical tasks or formal deductive reasoning.
Key aspects of logical thinking include, for example, identifying relationships, thinking correctly and drawing conclusions, avoiding logical fallacies, reasoning consistently, and analytical skills. Participate in discussions or debates on topics that require critical thinking and logic, solve logical problems and avoid logical fallacies. Also, working with numbers and math is a way to improve logical thinking.

Rational thinking meaning

The abilities to think, reason and make decisions in a systematic, consistent and logical way are essential features of rational thinking. Rational thinking allows us to analyze situations and find solutions based on facts and evidence. It provides a framework for effective and objective understanding of the world around us.
Here are some key characteristics of rational thinking: rational decision making, logical structure, the ability to infer and analyze problems based on detailed and systematic analysis.

Did you know that…

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Why is critical thinking important

Critical thinking has many benefits for your personal and professional life. But there are a few key reasons why it’s important to you:

helps in decision making, reasoning and evaluating an argument,
helps to form own opinions on the subject and develop personality,
promotes the development of personality and self-confidence,
allows you to engage with others on a deeper and more intellectual level,
helps to improve and strengthen working relationships,
allows you to evaluate your own work to identify ways to improve its quality and effectiveness,
promotes the development of comprehension skills.

Not to forget that this type of thinking will get you much better results at work. You’ll also save a lot of time that you would otherwise spend on lengthy explanations of your point of view or trying to understand your colleagues, employers or clients. You will also be able to better assess the situation, solve the problem and come up with an adequate and effective solution.

How to learn to think critically

Unfortunately, not everyone is born with critical thinking skills. Some have to learn this skill. Then, once you’ve mastered the basics, you can improve the thinking activities and focus on using them in practice.

There are several steps you will encounter when learning the basics of critical thinking:

Identify the problem – at the beginning you need to identify the problem or issue you are facing. Be specific and avoid vagueness. An imprecise question or issue will cause you not to get to the result, or you will get to the result, but it will not be sufficient.
Organize the information – when you want to deal with a specific problem or question, find all the information about it. Use verified sources and make sure you have all angles of view covered. Don’t forget that one opinion won’t be enough. When thinking critically, you must not dismiss other possibilities in advance.
Analyse data and sources – as you collect data and look for sources, you’ll find that you have a lot of it. In order not to lose your logic and to be able to make sense of a lot of information, start sorting it. Analyse them carefully and discard the ones that are not reliable. Avoid those with insufficient data.
Prioritize the data – you’ve sorted the non-essential sources and now you can get on with the actual organizing and sorting. Some data are more important than others. Therefore, put them in a reasonable and appropriate order so that you are familiar with them and can return to them at any time.
Make a decision – after studying all the data, you need to proceed to the main step, i.e. to make a decision. Think carefully about your conclusions and compare all the pros and cons. Try to draw a conclusion that is unbiased and supported by verified facts.
Present your final decision – when you are firmly decided and you know your decision is the right one, present it to others. Don’t forget to speak confidently, be polite and considerate of others’ opinions.

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Your final decision should be final, but keep an open mind. Remember that there is a wealth of information out there. You never know if you’ve overlooked something. If the other side has better arguments or new data, listen to them. Consider whether your position is correct, and be prepared to change it if necessary.

How to improve critical thinking

Developing critical thinking skills is very important, especially if you don’t want to stagnate. There are several ways to do it and you can try many of them. Some ways will suit you more, others less. Don’t be discouraged and work actively to improve your critical thinking. You will feel its benefits in your professional and private life.

Don’t rush into a decision

Critical thinking is the process of analyzing data, sorting and classifying it. It is not a matter of a few minutes. So don’t rush into a decision. Give yourself plenty of time and allow all the thoughts to run through your head. This is the only way to avoid missing important information and relevant conclusions.

When thinking critically, it is good to be still and quiet. Don’t let anyone disturb you and certainly don’t let your surroundings influence you. A colleague, acquaintance or family member may have a completely different view of the situation. But it should not affect your judgement or decision.

You don't need much to develop critical thinking — An open mind will help open up new perspectives and help develop critical thinking.

Find out how you think about problems

Identify and evaluate your thought operations. It is the way you receive and process information. For some it is better to listen, for others the text is enough. Don’t forget the actual reaction to each fact. For more emotionally based people it is characteristic that they react much more strongly and intensely. In such cases, it is necessary to remain calm.

Being a critical thinker means that you are aware of your own biases and shortcomings. You are also aware of how these imperfections affect your solutions and decisions. So try to fight them and actively develop your critical thinking. This will also help you in evaluating possible solutions, how to deal with your prejudices or how to work on your own negative qualities in order to move forward as a person.

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To achieve more objective results, forget all your biases when thinking critically. If you find this difficult, consider asking a colleague for help.

Develop your imagination and creative thinking

Creative thinking and creativity are also very much involved in the whole process. It is important to be able to imagine all the possible outcomes of a situation. It is also directly linked to foresight, which allows you to anticipate what reactions your actions and decisions will provoke in others. From that you can deduce whether they are correct or not.

Know your values

Based on your values, you’ll know what you’re inclined towards and what to look out for. You will avoid subjective opinions and missing out on certain points of view. Every critical thinker needs to be careful about their own values and preferences. It could automatically favour them, which would have a negative impact on the final decision.

An open mind and the right questions will help

If you are unsure about something or need clarification, please ask. You can ask a colleague or supervisor. You can also ask it of yourself and then look for answers on the internet and in books. Another option is online forums. You never know if a complete stranger will help you with your task. Try all the possibilities to get closer to your goal and expand your skills and knowledge. An open mind is important in expanding knowledge.

You can also contribute to the development of critical thinking

Critical thinking is important not only for work but also for personal life. It enables you to make the right choices and come to the necessary conclusions. Regardless of whether you were born with critical thinking or had to learn it, don’t forget to develop it. There are several ways to do this and it’s up to you which one you choose.

Practice these kinds of thinking and maybe thanks to them, you will be able to get your dream job, for example at msg life Slovakia. Critical thinking will come in handy in a number of positions. So take a look at our employee benefits and job offers requirements and join us today.

Why emotional intelligence in the workplace is so important

Posted on 20. 02. 202625. 08. 2025 by Zuzana Kocáková

Emotional intelligence is increasingly in demand in the business world. This is a key trait that allows a person not only to identify their emotions, but also to recognize the feelings of others. This contributes to a harmonious working environment and increases the respect between colleagues. But that’s not all. Emotional intelligence also brings a number of other benefits. Which benefits we talk about ?

What is EQ emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, is the ability to identify, understand, evaluate and manage one’s emotions and the emotions of others. People who have it are empathetic and know how others feel in different situations. At the same time, they know themselves and their feelings very well. They understand how they can affect their loved ones or colleagues and why they should not let their emotions run free.

People with high emotional intelligence are literally masters at controlling their emotions. In stressful situations, they do not panic, but handle them calmly, thus reassuring themselves and those around them. In addition, they are excellent decision makers, take constructive criticism well and know how to use it to improve themselves.

An IT worker writes down his day's work in a diary — It is important to constantly improve emotional intelligence

Simply put, people with high EQ know themselves perfectly well and know that each person is different and expresses their feelings in a different way. This is doubly true in the workplace sphere, which is highly competitive.

Did you know that…

… people with high emotional intelligence tend to be successful in all areas of life? This is mainly because they are empathetic and understanding, which makes almost everyone like them. If they ever need help or advice, there will always be someone willing to provide it.

5 elements defining emotional intelligence

According to American psychologist Daniel Goleman, there are five elements that define emotional intelligence. They are:

Confidence

A high level of emotional intelligence usually brings high self-esteem. However, people with high EQ are not arrogant or conceited. On the contrary, thanks to their higher self-esteem, they are able to calm their surroundings in stressful situations. This ensures a smooth workflow at all times, leading to efficient solutions and the best possible work results.

Healthy self-esteem allows for better control of emotions and does not allow feelings to get out of control. People with high EQ are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and are constantly working on them. Regular improvement can ultimately be noticed by a manager or boss.

Emotional intelligence and self-esteem improving activities

Wondering how to improve your self-esteem and increase your emotional intelligence? Experts recommend these two tricks:

Keep a journal – it can be paper or electronic. Write down each situation and how you acted during it. The more details you write, the better. So don’t be afraid to include how you felt after a certain decision, or what you expected to feel but didn’t. Always set aside some time at the end of the week to look at it and read it. Find out what can be improved and what you need to work on more. But then don’t forget to praise yourself for the things you’ve done. Keep track of your progress and enjoy the little things. Because those are the ones that move you forward the most.
Observe yourself – have you been in a situation where your self-confidence was at an all-time low? Ask yourself why something like this happened. Who or what was behind the fact that you didn’t feel confident? When you find the source of what is lowering your self-esteem, you will be able to fight it.

Self-control

Controlling your own emotions is sometimes more difficult than it seems. In escalated situations, many are guided by these feelings , which promotes confusion and tension. However, people with emotional intelligence do not give free rein to their feelings, at least not at work. They keep them in check, which helps them clear their minds and think of solutions to individual complications.

People with EQ firstly think and then act. They accept change easily and can say no if something doesn’t suit them. They are not jealous or full of anger. They also avoid impulsive and irresponsible decisions that could put them in uncomfortable situations.

How to improve self-control?

Self-control is a key quality that prevents you from shouting at someone and saying something to them that would make you feel sorry for them. But how to improve it? Use these tips:

Find out your personal values – to start with, set values that you will use to make decisions and evaluate situations. What is the most important for you? What are you definitely not going to compromise on? Set your values within your work area according to your beliefs and the company that employs you.
Slow down – instead of reacting immediately, slow down. Think about your answer or what you want to do. Are you really not going to regret it later? Will you reaction have a positive impact on colleagues or the task you are currently working on? If not, change your reaction. Try to think not only about your feelings, but also about how others will feel.
Don’t be afraid to admit you’re wrong – people aren’t perfect, so don’t unnecessarily punish yourself for mistakes. Accept them, learn from them, but don’t waste your time wondering what you could have done better. You cannot go back to the past, and such reflections will only waste time that could be spent on much better and more important things.
Keep working on yourself – keep practicing your self-control. Notice how you react to different situations and see if there’s something you could do next time to get even better results or feedback from colleagues. Emotional intelligence books, videos and tests on the internet can also help you with your training.

Motivation

Persons with high emotional intelligence are productive and motivated. They know that quick and immediate results usually do not bring long-term success. They also like to work on themselves, love a challenge and are not afraid to take a riskier but well thought out step into the unknown.

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Having a high EQ does not necessarily mean that someone is always highly motivated. Everyone feels unproductive sometimes and needs a break.

How to improve motivation?

You can improve your motivation with a few proven tips:

Think about why you do your job – remind yourself why you really enjoy the work you do. Remember the enthusiasm with which you entered it and what drove you during this time. If you find that you’ve changed over time and you just don’t enjoy your job anymore, consider changing it. There are many interesting job offers available today. For example, you can become an IT Project Manager Junior.
Don’t forget to rest – motivation levels usually drop when a person is tired. So think about regular rest and getting enough sleep.

Empathy

Empathy is a key element of emotional intelligence. It allows you to identify the needs and wants of others without them telling you anything. It prevents people from judging others and from forming various stereotypical prejudices.

The ability to empathize should be possessed not only by every ordinary employee, but also by the manager, supervisor or boss. They will better understand the actions of their subordinates and resolve minor and major conflicts in the workplace more quickly.

How to improve empathy?

You can use these tips to improve your empathy:

Watch body language and facial expressions – people may not say directly how they feel. Many times their facial expression or attitude will say it for them. Learn to recognize what the different attitudes and expressions mean and observe them the next time you interact with the colleague.
Try to empathize with the other person’s feelings – imagine you are in that person’s shoes, experiencing what they are experiencing. How would you feel? What would you do to make those feelings go away or change?

Social skills

People with high EQ are team players. For them, the success of the whole team is more important than their own. In addition, they are known for being able to communicate perfectly with others, listen to them and provide the necessary help. Colleagues therefore like them very much and seek their company.

How to improve social skills?

Social skills are key at work. How to improve them? Use this advice:

Listen to others – when having a conversation, people often don’t listen to the other person. They are rather thinking about what they will say as a response. Communication is thus not effective and many times not even pleasant. If you want others to like you, be genuinely interested in what they say. Find out more details about what they’re saying and show that you are listening everything they tell you.
Learn new techniques – there are now many emotional intelligence books, courses and videos available to help you learn a variety of new techniques to improve your social skills.
Social skills to help you get on better with others

Why is emotional intelligence in a workplace so important?

EQ in the workplace is important for several reasons. These include:

It promotes good relationships – workplace bullying or various other problems are nothing new. However, employees with high levels of emotional intelligence will not stoop to such behaviour. They can get along well with others, preventing a toxic environment that is impossible to work in.
It enables employees to perform much better – people with high EQ are motivated and constantly strive to improve. In this way, they are able to perform better and receive higher financial rewards or promotions.
It enables team leaders to make better decisions – managers or business owners with high EQ are able to keep their emotions in check and find solutions calmly and without stress in tense situations. They know that shouting at others or panicking is pointless.
It enables managers to understand their subordinates – each person has different needs and ideas. Managers need to understand this in order to be able to properly assign subordinates and match them with work tasks. Otherwise, not only the employees themselves will suffer, but also the whole team. The work will not run smoothly and the results will not reach the desired level.

Emotional intelligence books

Emotional intelligence is a key element for developing soft skills. You can improve it in a variety of ways, with books being one of the most popular. This topic has been the main focus of foreign authors who know the importance of effective communication, empathy and many other qualities related to EQ.

So which books should you reach for?

Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman,
The Real-World Guide to Emotional Intelligence – Justin Bariso,
Think Faster, Talk Smarter – Matt Abrahams,
Master Your Emotions: Develop Emotional Intelligence and Discover the Essential Rules of When and How to Control Your Feelings – Eric Robertson,
Read People Like a Book – Patrick King.

Emotional intelligence EQ test

The American psychologist Daniel Goleman created a practical test of emotional intelligence that can be found on many websites today. It is so popular that it has its own Slovak version.

You don’t need to do any additional studying to complete the test, as the questions don’t have one right answer. They are used to analyse your personality and find out what your EQ level is. Therefore, answer them truthfully and honestly.

Emotional intelligence in the workplace is a key

Emotional intelligence is a quality you should not lack. It will allow you to achieve better results and continuously move up. It can also help you in your job search. Level up your emotional intelligence and get a great job, a variety of employee benefits and colleagues you’ll get along with.