powering

TELERIK ACADEMY SPRINT

How to think critically
for better decisions

👉 Separate facts from assumptions.

👉 Ask sharper questions. Catch flawed thinking early.

👉 Make sound calls with incomplete information.

Boyan Hadzhiev

Soft Skills Training Manager, Telerik Academy

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What you'll learn

Separatе facts from assumptions

Understand what critical thinking is (and isn’t), tell facts from opinions and assumptions, and pause before you jump to conclusions.

Ask better questions and checking sources

Learn to ask questions that uncover facts, causes, and risks, then check the evidence and context behind information before you rely on it.

Solvе problems and deciding with confidence

Spot thinking traps, find the root cause of a problem, and use simple tools to compare options, decide, and explain your reasoning.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Analyze information more objectively by separating facts from opinions and assumptions.
Avoid rushed conclusions by recognizing thinking traps before they shape your judgment.
Compare options, then test your choice with a small first step.
Communicate with more impact by backing your position with logic and evidence.

Curriculum

Develop the mindset, tools, and questions to think more clearly, avoid rushed conclusions, and make sound decisions.

01Chapter 1
02Chapter 2
03Chapter 3
04Chapter 4
05Chapter 5
06Chapter 6
07Chapter 7

What critical thinking is (and isn't)

Understand what critical thinking really means and how it differs from criticism and automatic reactions.

The Pause model

Slow down before you conclude with four simple steps: pause, check, look for an alternative, then conclude.

How to tell facts from opinions

Learn what makes a statement a fact, an opinion, an assumption, or a conclusion, and how to tell them apart.

Working with incomplete information

Separate what you know from what you assume, and turn unclear statements into clarifying questions.

Practical exercise: facts vs. assumptions

Practice classifying statements and notice when interpretation slips into what sounds like a fact.

The 5 questions model

Ask questions that check facts, uncover causes, explore alternatives, assess risks, and lead to a clear next step.

The credibility model

Check any information by its author, evidence, recency, purpose, and context, and spot numbers that are missing the context they need.

Common thinking traps

Recognize first-impression bias, confirmation bias, overgeneralization, and the habit of treating silence as agreement.

Stop – Name – Look

Interrupt a thinking trap in three steps: stop, name the trap, and look for an alternative explanation.

Symptoms and causes

Learn why the most visible problem is rarely the root cause, and how to tell symptoms, causes, and solutions apart.

Problem-solving models

Use methods like the 5 Whys to trace a problem back to its root cause.

Practical tools

Build a problem map that separates what you know, what you assume, and what you still need to check.

Practical exercise: from symptom to root cause

Apply the tools to a work situation and find the real problem before you choose a solution.

Decision-making models

Compare options with the Plus, Minus, Interesting tool, weigh risks and consequences, and test your choice with a small, low-risk first step.

Practical exercise: deciding with criteria

Practice choosing between options based on clear criteria instead of gut feeling or the loudest opinion.

Critical thinking in tense conversations

Use neutral wording, turn accusations into questions, and ask for data, criteria, risks, and alternatives when opinions differ.

Practical exercise: from accusation to question

Practice rephrasing tense statements into constructive, evidence-based questions.

My critical filter before a decision

Bring the full process together: separate facts from assumptions, ask clarifying questions, check information, spot traps, and analyze causes.

Final challenge

Apply your critical filter to a real decision, choose a reasonable next step, and communicate your conclusion clearly.

Format & Schedule

How you’ll learn

Learn at your own pace with on-demand video, ready-to-use frameworks and guides.

Self-paced training

Learn at your own pace with on-demand video, ready-to-use frameworks and guides.

What you’ll get

9 outcome-focused modules with real-world examples
1 hour of video content and exercises
Ready-to-use thinking models and tools
Lifetime access to all course materials
Telerik Academy certificate, following the format

Earn a widely recognized certificate

Upon program graduation, you will receive a certificate by Telerik Academy. The certificate is widely recognized by employers in Bulgaria.

Demonstrate that you’re job-ready.

Add a recognized credential to your CV and LinkedIn.

Share it on social media.

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Who it's perfect for

Professionals

Employees across industries who want to adapt faster to change, manage uncertainty, and stay effective in dynamic work environments.

Career switchers &
anyone facing transition

People navigating a new role, career shift, or major life change who want practical tools to make confident decisions and move forward.

Managers and team leads

Leaders who want to support their teams through change, communicate more effectively, and build resilience within their organizations.

Anyone who wants to think more clearly

If you want to avoid rushed conclusions, ask better questions, and feel more confident in your everyday decisions, this course is for you.

What sets us apart

Learn from industry experts with proven career results.

Gain practical insights not found on YouTube, Udemy or Coursera.

Uncover tribal knowledge that is rarely documented and shared.

Trainer

Meet your trainer

Boyan Hadzhiev Trainer

Senior Tech Trainer,
Telerik Academy

Boyan Hadzhiev is a Soft Skills Training Manager at Telerik Academy with over 10 years of experience in business training and professional development. He has designed and delivered learning programs across a wide range of topics, including adaptability, resilience, emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, active learning, and effective teamwork.
Alongside his work in corporate training, Boyan has been a lecturer in International Relations and International Security at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) for 15 years. He holds a PhD in International Relations and Foreign Policy.

Contributed to the success of:

The more you learn, the more you earn

Enjoy discounts on future purchases

Earn a 5% discount on your next Sprint purchase. Your discount will be automatically applied when you sign up for your selected Sprint.

Refer friends and earn even more

For each referral, you and the new user will both receive a 5% discount off the price of a Sprint, which you can use towards your next Sprint purchase. Additionally, the new user will receive an extra 5% discount on their first purchase.

Start learning

Inspiring passion for learning.
Changing lives and businesses.

Dimitar Markov

DevOps Engineer

SAP

(Class of 2020)

Telerik Academy is a great starting point for anyone who wants to jumpstart a career in the IT industry. It provided me with the underlying knowledge and practical experience needed to join the sector.

Vasil Dininski

Web Developer

Amazon Development Center

(Class of 2013)

Telerik Academy is creating a society of life-long learners. It teaches a mindset that is not only of great help when solving complex problems, but also serves as a wonderful motivator to constantly be hunting for and adopting new skills and information.

Kalin Kostov

Team Lead

interop.io

(Class of 2017)

There is no other tech-ed organization in Bulgaria like Telerik Academy. These are not only my words. I know a lot of expats who came back to Bulgaria and people who quit their jobs or put their university studies on hold to be able to fully dedicate themselves to the Academy.

Alexander Popov

Site Engineering Lead

Uber

Some of my best junior software engineers at Uber come from Telerik Academy. It is always a pleasure to work with their alumni!

Ivan Rusev

Head of Software Development

Experian

We partner with Telerik Academy because we know their graduates have gone through an extremely demanding program - with high training standards and practice - and have proven themselves to be true technology ninjas.

Kiril Peyanski

Principal Software Engineer

Progress

(Class of 2017)

Telerik Academy changed my life. At the age of 20, I was already independent and working my dream job! Without the knowledge and experience I gained at Telerik Academy, I wouldn’t have had such a flying start.

Svetoslav Torbov

Head of Development

Paysafe

Telerik Academy has become a valuable partner for us thanks to its years of experience in training IT talent in Bulgaria. Through our collaboration we connect with students who have in-depth knowledge, high potential, and motivation for building a career in the IT industry.

Stoyan Damov

Co-Founder

Tick42

After 10+ years of scrutinizing and perfecting its craft it’s no wonder Telerik Academy is the leader in technical education. We are honored to have 15 alumni at Tick42 who are continuously getting unsolicited praise from our clients, and we’ll most definitely continue partnering closely with Telerik Academy.

Rusi Rusev

Front-End Developer

Gtmhub

(Class of 2018)

From day one at Telerik Academy Alpha I knew I’ve had made the right choice. The trainers are 100% dedicated to providing students with the best possible education and preparing them to meet and exceed the expectations of their future employers.

Still have questions?

How do I enroll for a Sprint?

Simply click the enroll button and follow the on-page instructions. You’ll need to sign up for a Telerik Academy Learn account to access Sprint session links and course materials. Then, just pay for your seat to complete your enrollment. That's it!

How can I pay?

You can pay for your seat using your Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners Club card directly on our website. If you prefer to make a bank wire, please contact us for assistance.

Do you offer group discounts?

We do! For more information, please get in touch with us.

Can I get an invoice?

To receive a company invoice, check the "I want an invoice" box during sign-up and provide your company's name, address, and VAT number. We'll email the invoice to you.

Will I receive a certificate upon completion of a Sprint?

Every trainee who completes their Sprint earns a Telerik Academy certificate of completion. To qualify, you must attend or watch on demand all course content and complete any homework. You can print the certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Feel free to tag @Telerik Academy when sharing it.

How is a Sprint different from an Upskill?

Sprints are 2-week, hands-on programs where industry leaders share practical, ready-to-use knowledge that's immediately applicable at work. Upskills, on the other hand, provide a comprehensive, 3-month journey to bridging skill gaps in a specific domain, helping you advance to the next career level.

How can I get in touch?

Just send us an email and we'll get back to you soon.

Ready to get started?

Start learning

How to think critically for better decisions

Learn to think clearly and make confident decisions at work and in life.

What you'll learn

Curriculum

What critical thinking is (and isn't)

The Pause model

How to tell facts from opinions

Working with incomplete information

Practical exercise: facts vs. assumptions

The 5 questions model

The credibility model

Common thinking traps

Stop – Name – Look

Symptoms and causes

Problem-solving models

Practical tools

Practical exercise: from symptom to root cause

Decision-making models

Practical exercise: deciding with criteria

Critical thinking in tense conversations

Practical exercise: from accusation to question

My critical filter before a decision

Final challenge

How you’ll learn

Earn a widely recognized certificate

Who it's perfect for

What sets us apart

Meet your trainer

The more you learn, the more you earn

Inspiring passion for learning. Changing lives and businesses.

Still have questions?

How do I enroll for a Sprint?

How can I pay?

Do you offer group discounts?

Can I get an invoice?

Will I receive a certificate upon completion of a Sprint?

How is a Sprint different from an Upskill?

How can I get in touch?

Ready to get started?

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How to think critically
for better decisions

Inspiring passion for learning.
Changing lives and businesses.