How Critical Thinking Can Elevate Your Retail Team

Finding inspiration in unexpected places is one of the top benefits of the International Retail Design Conference – and this year we’re closing out the event with a showstopper of a keynote!

Dr. Monte Selby, Grammy Award Winning Songwriter, Recording Artist, Educator, Author and Speaker is expected to bring down the house with his trademark style as he takes attendees through a deeply immersive keynote on collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication. Though all areas are important, a focus on critical thinking can take your team to the next level – fast. Here’s how to get started:

1. Encourage curiosity and questioning

Critical thinking can’t exist in a vacuum, so help inspire it by fostering an environment where curiosity is celebrated. Encourage your team to ask questions and explore different solutions to common problems. Host regular “What if?” brainstorming sessions where no idea is too outside the box. This cultivates a mindset where employees are always thinking ahead to anticipate client and customer needs.

2. Level up your training and feedback process

Implement scenario-based training to challenge your team’s problem-solving skills. Create realistic retail scenarios, such as working with difficult customers or exploring ways to optimize store layout during peak hours. Role-playing these situations allows your team to practice and develop critical thinking in a safe and supportive environment. Bonus points for encouraging your team to debrief after both the training and their daily experiences to help employees learn to think critically about their actions and decisions.

3. Empower and reward decision-making

From creating promotions to identifying customer service opportunities, encourage your team members to make their own decisions whenever possible. Give them the autonomy to solve problems and implement their ideas. This will boost their confidence and encourage them to think critically about the best course of action in various situations.

Critical thinking is only one powerful tool you’ll take away from Monte’s uniquely inspiring keynote. Make sure you’re a part of it at IRDC 2024!