What makes a great employee? Ask any employer, and the list includes showing up, following directions, and having the technical skills to do a task safely and accurately. These skills will make a worker a good employee, but what makes an employee great? Then, the list grows with behaviors such as taking initiative, identifying work to be done without being told, not wasting materials, and calling attention to minor problems before they become serious problems. These behaviors make great employees and can be labeled Big Picture Thinking. Within CTE instruction, teachers need to develop technical skills, work habits, and elements of Big Picture Thinking.
Big-picture thinking is a thinking strategy that focuses on the entirety of a concept or idea instead of on each individual detail. This thinking helps prepare for the future and envision the opportunities ahead. Big-picture thinking is the ability to envision broader, high-level concepts and patterns to see beyond the immediate and create a broader plan for the long term. Big-picture thinking also allows you to see improvement opportunities and reinforces the real reason for the activities you do daily.
Trade workers need big-picture thinking. They must see the overall project and understand how their work fits the larger picture. They must be able to anticipate potential issues and plan accordingly. Big-picture thinking is essential for trade workers to ensure their work is done correctly and safely and meets the project’s needs.
Here are some real-world examples of trade workers who have demonstrated big-picture thinking in their projects:
- A construction worker noticed that the building design did not consider the local climate and suggested changes to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs in the long term.
- A plumber identified a potential issue with the water supply system and suggested changes to prevent future problems.
- An electrician suggested changes to the electrical system to improve safety and reduce the risk of power outages.
- A carpenter suggested changes to the building design to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
- An HVAC technician suggested changes to the heating and cooling system to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs in the long term.
These examples demonstrate how trade workers can use their expertise and knowledge to think beyond the immediate task and contribute to the project’s success as a whole, and ensure that it meets the needs of the client and the community.
Here are some strategies to encourage big-picture thinking in the CTE program:
- Encourage brainstorming sessions where students can share their ideas and perspectives on the project as a whole.
- Provide training on the overall project and how each student’s role fits into the larger picture.
- Encourage students to ask questions and seek clarification on the project’s goals and objectives.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and communication among students to ensure everyone achieves the same goal.
- Provide opportunities for students to take on leadership roles and make decisions that impact the project as a whole.
- Ask students to think beyond the immediate task at hand and consider how their work will impact the project in the long term. This can be done by asking them to reflect on the purpose of the task and how it fits into the larger picture.
- Encourage students to think creatively and outside the box. This can help them develop innovative solutions to problems and think beyond the immediate task.
By implementing these strategies, students can develop their big-picture thinking skills and contribute to the project’s success as a whole. It is important to remember that big-picture thinking is a skill that can be honed and developed over time. Everyone can benefit from thinking beyond the immediate and considering the long-term impact of their work
I have drafted a few sample Big Picture Rubrics to use with students.