Back to main page

Course Outline

Thinking with a Human Edge

Lead Trainer

Dr L. Michael Hall

Dates

23, 24, 25 July 2026 · 9am – 6pm (22.5 hours)

Venue

Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Balaclava

Learning Objectives

The most important thing a human does is thinking. Thinking seems so natural that it seems silly that we should even learn to think. However good quality thinking is a rare commodity! What the participant will discover in this course is that thinking is the secret weapon for succeeding in every aspect of life — for sanity, well-being, relationships, career, hobbies and more.

By the end of this course, participants will:

  1. Discover 15 things about thinking which they may never have heard before

  2. Learn the thinking continuum and the 7 kinds of non-thinking that we default to

  3. Learn and practice Core thinking skills

  4. Learn and practice Constructive thinking skills

  5. Learn and practice Executive thinking skills

  6. Bring meaning and significance to their thinking

Day 1

Thinking Orientation

Mapping the territory of thought

The Thinking Continuum

  • Test your thinking questionnaire
  • 15 things to know about thinking
  • What is thinking?
  • How thinking begins and develops
  • Cognitive Distortions
  • Cognitive Biases

Thinking Basics

  • When thinking vanishes
  • ExerciseDecision interview – an exploration in catching yourself not thinking
  • Into the Meta Place of the mind
  • Integrative thinking: feeling your thoughts
  • ExerciseThe Mind-to-Muscle pattern

The Core Thinking Skills

  • Considering – try on ideas without judgement
  • ExercisePractising considering
  • ExerciseOpening the Forward – Backward loop
  • Questioning with the Meta Model to reveal hidden truths and assumptions
  • ExercisePractice Questioning
  • Doubting – Challenge, suspect, be skeptical about an idea
  • ExerciseAsk doubting questions
  • Detailing – find the specifics & make ideas real
  • ExerciseIndexing to Extentionalize
  • Making Critical Distinctions – separate concepts that cause confusion
  • ExerciseDesigning Distinction Questions
  • ExerciseRefresh your thinking

Day 2

The Science of Thinking

Constructive skills for new ideas

Unlearning

  • Unlearning to make way for new thinking
  • ExerciseUnlearning what's in the way

Eureka or Constructive Thinking Skills

  • Inferring – draw conclusions beyond explicit data
  • ExercisePractise inferential listening
  • Organizing: Structuring, Formulating and Framing an idea
  • ExerciseDiscover a strategy
  • Creating – invent new possibilities
  • Metaphoring – use powerful comparisons to understand complex situations instantly
  • ExerciseMapping using Metaphors
  • Systemic Thinking – holistic instead of linear

Semantic Reactions

  • Reactivity and Semantic reactions
  • ExerciseUnplugging buttons
  • ExerciseReactivity

Day 3

Executive Thinking

Wisdom, decisions and meaning

Executive Thinking Skills

  • Learning – transform information into usable knowledge for problem solving
  • ExerciseThinking through a belief with your thinking skills
  • Deciding – make definitive, well-reasoned choices
  • ExerciseDetecting Assumptions conversation
  • Discerning – apply wisdom in complex circumstances
  • Reflecting – step back and quality control your own thinking in real-time
  • ExercisePractising stepping back

Debugging your system of Self-Limitations

  • Your Self-Limitations
  • ExerciseDe-bugging your mind

The Ultimate Thinking Skill

  • Sacralizing: Being Cognition, seeking the highest meanings and significance
  • ExerciseMaking it meaningful

Thinking States

  • Thinking States
  • The Executive functions
  • ExerciseAccess best states

Have questions about the course?

Talk to our team — we're happy to walk you through the curriculum, logistics, and how this workshop can fit into your schedule.

Back to main page