Lateral thinking

Lateral Thinking - Theory

The brain is not intended for creative thinking

The brains power is in forming patterns and sticking to these patterns

SO

To become creative you need to block normal channels and cut across patterns in a self-organizing information system

Edward de Bono: The Designer

M.D., Ph.D. (physiology, medicine, and psychology), Rhodes scholar
Worlds leading authority in the field of creative and conceptual
thinking

Originator of the term Lateral Thinking Author of over 60 books in 47 languages

www.edwarddebonoindia.com

Explaining lateral thinking

Mind is like mud grooves are formed where water/thoughts run. Need to form new avenues Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Nobel Prize Winner

Vertical thinking Vs Lateral thinking Vertical thinking 1. Take a position Lateral thinking 1. Take a position

2. Develop arguments 2. Put forward different views which which are: are: related to 1 not derived from each other derived from 1 all correct Area of focus all coexisting Area of focus Truth Possibilities, alternatives, what Logic might be What is

Deliberate lateral thinking tools

1.

The six thinking hats

2.

Random inputs

3.

Synectics

The six thinking hats - Process and rationale Rationale Cooperative exploration replaces adversarial thinking Ego factors are removed Negativity is not allowed Process Meeting of several people Deliberate putting on of different hats i.e. different attitudes Everyone wears each hat simultaneously Hats are changed during meeting

Six thinking hats White hat

Association White paper: neutral carrier of information Data and information

Red hat
Fire, warmth

Black hat
Strict judge, intolerant of wrong doers

Area of focus

Feelings, intuition

Critical judgement

Questions/discussion topic

What info do we have? What info is missing? Where will we get it? How will we get it?

This is what I feel My gut feel is that I dont like the way My intuition tells me

The regulations dont allow He doesnt have the experience Those prices wont be profitable We wont fill capacity

Source Edward de Bor

Six thinking hats continued... Yellow hat

Association

Green hat
Vegetation, Rich growth

Blue hat
Sky Overview

Sunshine Optimism Logical, positive view

Benefits (logically based) Feasibility
This would work if we did X The benefit would come from Y High labour costs mean a lower workforce

Area of focus

Creative thinking New ideas Additional alternatives

Are there alternatives? Could there be another reason? What is a creative solution

Agenda Next steps Process control

Lets summarize views Lets look at priorities The points to discuss are...

Questions/discussion topic

Source Edward de Bor

Six thinking hats continued... Yellow hat

Association

Green hat
Vegetation, Rich growth

Blue hat
Sky Overview

Sunshine Optimism Logical, positive view

Benefits (logically based) Feasibility
This would work if we did X The benefit would come from Y High labour costs mean a lower workforce

Area of focus

Creative thinking New ideas Additional alternatives

Are there alternatives? Could there be another reason? What is a creative solution

Agenda Next steps Process control

Lets summarize views Lets look at priorities The points to discuss are...

Questions/discussion topic

Source Edward de Bor

Sequence is not fixed, but often it is: 1 White info 2 Green ideas 3Yellow benefits of ideas 4 Black evaluation 5 Red feelings 6 Blue - conclusions

Six Thinking hats - Evaluation

+
+ -

Takes people away from normal attitudes

Easy to use

Participants often feel very awkward and ill at ease initially

Random input Process Take a problem Apply a random input word image Take the first characteristic that comes to mind Develop solution [NOTE Do not link the random word to previous ideas] Evaluation Easy to do Works for a group or an individual Produces new thinking

Can feel uncomfortable

The need for creativity We need it... but we lack it The brain is not naturally creative Education is concerned with right and wrong

Creativity produces new ideas in: Science Arts Business Leisure etc, etc, etc...

Word Expansion
I IN GIN GAIN GRAIN RATING TRACING CREATING REDACTING DEFRACTING
Philip L. Winters & Edward de Bono Creative Team 1999

Word Expansion Exercise

Exercise
How many squares can you see in this figure?

Lifted from Jlapitans presentation