Critical thinkers also notice things. Why is there no music playing? Why were their greeters so old? That presentation lacked empathy. I wonder why they chose not to paint that sign the same color as the rest of their signs. Being observant is another key leadership quality, because as we carefully observe things, we are able to better determine cause-and-effect relationships. Leaders know what to pay attention to and can find the variable that has changed or is out of place and is causing a certain result.