[Blog](/blog) 3 min read # Let’s develop your team’s higher-order thinking skills Published on October 30, 2019Last updated on September 02, 2026 ![Let’s develop your team’s higher-order thinking skills](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/aBo4xvIqRLdaB6w9_learnignidea-canary-hero_article.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=1920) ## Table of contents [What are higher-order thinking skills?](#what-are-higher-order-thinking-skills)[Why it matters for L&D teams](#why-it-matters-for-landd-teams)[5 benefits of developing higher-order thinking skills](#5-benefits-of-developing-higher-order-thinking-skills)[Make the shift easier with Go1](#make-the-shift-easier-with-go1) ## Summary Today’s workplaces need more than technical know-how. According to Springboard’s The State of the Workforce Skills Gap 2024 report, nearly 70% of L&D professionals believe there is a skill gap at their organization. Higher-order thinking skills include abilities like analysis, synthesis, evaluation, creativity, and metacognition. Despite growing demand for these skills, many employees leave formal education without them. Get access to ready-to-use courses that support problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. That’s why more L&D teams are prioritizing higher-order thinking skills, which go beyond memorization to help people synthesize, evaluate, and create. ## Key takeaways * Higher-order thinking skills include abilities like analysis, synthesis, evaluation, creativity, and metacognition. * Despite growing demand for these skills, many employees leave formal education without them. * Get access to ready-to-use courses that support problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. * That’s why more L&D teams are prioritizing higher-order thinking skills, which go beyond memorization to help people synthesize, evaluate, and create. * At a time when skill demands are shifting fast, these thinking strategies are essential to help teams adapt, innovate, and thrive. Today’s workplaces need more than technical know-how. They need employees who can think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems. That’s why more L&D teams are prioritizing higher-order thinking skills—skills that go beyond memorization to help people synthesize, evaluate, and create. At a time when skill demands are shifting fast, these thinking strategies are essential to help teams adapt, innovate, and thrive. ## What are higher-order thinking skills? Higher-order thinking skills include abilities like analysis, synthesis, evaluation, creativity, and metacognition. They help learners apply what they know in new ways—whether that’s troubleshooting on the floor, solving a client issue, or spotting a more efficient workflow. It’s the [difference between just _knowing_ and _doing_](http://www.go1.com/blog/what-is-the-knowing-doing-gap). **In practical terms, developing these skills in your learning programs could mean:** * Asking learners to brainstorm improvements to a process based on case data * Facilitating reflection exercises on what worked (and what didn’t) after a simulated project * Encouraging peer discussion where learners critique each other's approaches These strategies help build a more resilient, capable workforce—one that can respond to change, not just follow instructions. ## Why it matters for L&D teams Despite growing demand for these skills, many employees leave formal education without them. According to Springboard’s [The State of the Workforce Skills Gap 2024](https://www.springboard.com/blog/business/skills-gap-trends-2024/#:~:text=70%25%20of%20leaders%20say%20there's,employees%20are%20eager%20to%20learn.) report, nearly 70% of L&D professionals believe there is a skill gap at their organization. That’s why workplace learning plays a critical role. **When learning experiences prioritize higher-order thinking, they become:** * **More engaging.** Learners are more invested when asked to reflect, analyze, or create. * **More transferable.** These skills apply across roles, departments, and industries. * **More collaborative**. Group problem-solving boosts knowledge sharing and engagement. * **More innovation-ready**. Skills like creativity and evaluation help teams respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. ## 5 benefits of developing higher-order thinking skills 1. **Support creativity and innovation.** As roles evolve, employees need to think on their feet. Courses that include open-ended tasks or design thinking challenges help build this mindset, especially for learners who didn’t develop these skills in school. 2. **Make learning more relevant.** Higher-order thinking tasks feel more connected to real work. That means learners stay engaged and are more likely to apply what they’ve learned on the job. 3. **Drive innovation across the organization.** When people practice synthesizing ideas or spotting patterns, they’re more likely to come up with new solutions—whether it’s refining a product, improving a service, or streamlining a process. 4. **Build transferable, role-agnostic skills.** These skills aren’t bound to one job description. That makes them ideal for preparing employees to take on new responsibilities or adapt to change. 5. **Encourage collaboration.** Activities that prompt reflection, debate, or peer feedback create more opportunities for shared learning, especially when paired with online tools like discussion forums or shared workspaces. ## Make the shift easier with Go1 You don’t have to design all of this from scratch. Go1’s turnkey content hub includes skill-building courses that go beyond compliance—covering [communication](https://go1learning.mygo1.com/r/app/my-list/37689739?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fgo1learning.mygo1.com%2Fr%2Fapp%2Fexplore%2Fall%3Ftypes%5B%5D%3Dplaylist%26q%3Dbuild%2520communication%2520skills%26tab%3Dplaylists%26sort%3Drelevant%26portal%3D1617675), [problem-solving](https://go1learning.mygo1.com/r/app/my-list/36942393?referral=1617675), [leadership](https://go1learning.mygo1.com/r/app/my-list/36846533?referral=1617675), and more. With playlists, pre-built paths, and smart discovery tools, it’s easy to find the right content to foster higher-order thinking without adding admin work. ## Want to build thinking skills that last? Get access to ready-to-use courses that support problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. [Speak to an expert](https://www.go1.com/speak-with-an-expert) ![Stay Ahead in L&D](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.go1static.com%2Fassets%2F202609160956%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fsubscribe.81448f2d.png&w=1920&q=75) ## Stay Ahead in L&D Subscribe to our emails to receive newsletters, product updates, and marketing communications. ## Related Articles [![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/cNPrv2JkHqEplA1W_compliance-readiness.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)BlogCompliance Training vs. Compliance Readiness: What 945 Leaders and Employees Told Us7 minute read](/blog/compliance-training-readiness)[![Guide to HR compliance training for employees](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/VxnjXSyiF3xEoQS__hr-compliance-training-for-employees.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)BlogHR compliance training for employees: The essential topics every workplace must cover in 20267 minute read](/blog/workplace-compliance-training/hr-compliance-training-for-employees)[![Guide to health and safety compliance training](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/tJT4Q2QbyEYwl0EY_health-and-safety-compliance.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)BlogHealth & safety compliance training: How to create a safe workplace environment13 minute read](/blog/workplace-compliance-training/health-and-safety-compliance)[![Guide to ethics and compliance training](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/kX41hF_EFpynVKgc_ethics-and-compliance-training.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)BlogEthics and compliance training: How to build an ethical, accountable workforce8 minute read](/blog/workplace-compliance-training/ethics-and-compliance-training) ## Train smarter, spend less Connect with a Go1 expert to explore the best training options for your organization—no pressure, just solutions that work. [Speak with an expert](/speak-with-an-expert)