Originally posted in our September 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter.
While understanding the theory of transcendent thinking is valuable in and of itself, finding ways to apply it as leaders and educators is a different matter entirely.
As a complement to the research out of USC CANDLE around transcendent thinking, the team offers us some key tips for turning frameworks into practice. These tips show how educators and leaders can help learners see connections across ideas and engage thoughtfully with societal issues. For those familiar with ELI’s work, you’ll see many commonalities between CANDLE’s findings and our definitions of entrepreneurial discovery.
Both frameworks encourage stepping beyond conventional boundaries, whether through entrepreneurial projects or civic inquiry, to develop critical, creative, and ethical decision-making skills. Together, they empower learners and workers to connect ideas, anticipate consequences, and act with innovation and integrity.
For those looking to dig deeper into USC CANDLE’s research and resources, be sure to check them out here, and find more articles like this one at the USC Rossier School of Education’s News & Insights page.