New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking in the Generation of New Ideas Written by: Edward de Bono Presented by: Steve Kaman

Edward de Bono Regarded by many as leading authority in field of creative thinking. Regarded by many as leading authority in field of creative thinking. Has written 62 books with translations into 37 languages and has been invited to lecture in 54 countries Has written 62 books with translations into 37 languages and has been invited to lecture in 54 countries Originator of lateral thinking. Originator of lateral thinking.

Outline Logical thinking Logical thinking Vertical vs. Lateral thinking Vertical vs. Lateral thinking Creative thinking Creative thinking How to think laterally How to think laterally Connections to other readings Connections to other readings Summary Summary

New Think is OLD Used by Solomon Used by Solomon Used by great inventors of history Used by great inventors of history Breaks out of old patterns Breaks out of old patterns Deals with generating new ways to look at things Deals with generating new ways to look at things

Logical Thinking Everyone realizes its usefulness Everyone realizes its usefulness Creates order out of disorder Creates order out of disorder –However, imposes old order rather than recognizing a new one Poor for generating new ideas Poor for generating new ideas Excellent for developing ideas Excellent for developing ideas

Vertical Thinking “…follows most obvious line, proceeding straight up or down.” “…follows most obvious line, proceeding straight up or down.” Includes logical thinking Includes logical thinking Is high-probability thinking Is high-probability thinking

Lateral Thinking Looks to get away from patterns Looks to get away from patterns Ignores logical direction and “…moves sideways by re-forming the patterns” Ignores logical direction and “…moves sideways by re-forming the patterns” Is “an attitude of mind.” Is “an attitude of mind.” Is low-probability thinking Is low-probability thinking

Comparison: Vertical vs. Lateral Digging a hole Digging a hole Story of Solomon Story of Solomon Story of black and white pebbles Story of black and white pebbles Basically, “Lateral thinking generates the ideas and vertical thinking develops them.” Basically, “Lateral thinking generates the ideas and vertical thinking develops them.”

Creative vs. Lateral Thinking Part of lateral thinking Part of lateral thinking “…often requires a talent for expression.” “…often requires a talent for expression.” Lateral thinking is open to everyone Lateral thinking is open to everyone Some lateral thinking results in: Some lateral thinking results in: –True creations –Simply new ways of looking at something

Creating New Ideas No rewards for lots of time and effort searching No rewards for lots of time and effort searching Idea may “…arrive in a flash of insight.” Idea may “…arrive in a flash of insight.” Mind is better at developing than creating ideas Mind is better at developing than creating ideas Act is not fully passive Act is not fully passive Experts can be too stuck in the past Experts can be too stuck in the past

Visual Explanation Describing construction of a symbol is arbitrary Describing construction of a symbol is arbitrary Complex figures are broken down into familiar parts Complex figures are broken down into familiar parts Complex figure can become familiar Complex figure can become familiar

Principles of Lateral Thinking Recognition of dominant or polarizing ideas Recognition of dominant or polarizing ideas Search for different ways of looking at things Search for different ways of looking at things Relaxation of rigid control of vertical thinking Relaxation of rigid control of vertical thinking Use of chance Use of chance

Summary Lateral thinking: Lateral thinking: – “…is not a magic formula” –Is an attitude –Is a habit of mind –Aims for simplicity and effectiveness –Seeks escape from dominant order –Seeks simpler order and not disorder

Connections to Other Readings Wallas promoted teaching the “art of thought” Wallas promoted teaching the “art of thought” –de Bono comments on how orthodox education does not encourage lateral thinking Idea that despite hard work, idea is a flash of insight Idea that despite hard work, idea is a flash of insight –Corresponds with Wallas’ Illumination Stage

Connections to Other Readings Creativity in Business Creativity in Business –Idea of not judging a logically incorrect idea at too early a stage. Art of Thought and Creativity in Business Art of Thought and Creativity in Business –de Bono suggests “playing” will help lead to solution –Much like the unconscious thought

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