As a rule, when solving a problem, we think in a standard way, according to the usual scenario. By overcoming it, you can make life more interesting and work more productive. You can learn this by mastering the techniques of lateral – non-template – thinking, proposed by the psychologist Edward de Bono.
Racing vertically
We are often inert, especially when it comes to ways to think, to come up with ideas and solutions. We are afraid to step into unfamiliar territory, to voice a crazy thought that has come into our heads – what if we become a laughingstock? It is much safer to stay in the familiar world of patterns and schemes.
There is nothing wrong with this approach, only the pattern (scheme, image) of thinking that has developed in our head is not always optimal. It develops under the influence of other patterns, as well as points of view accepted by society in general and our environment in particular. In addition, the straight road sometimes leads to a dead end – here the ability to look for workarounds and look at the problem from a new angle can be useful.
Lateral thinking (lat. lateralis – lateral) is the ability to think outside the box, using the maximum number of approaches to the issue, which are often ignored by our logical thinking.
Warm-up: let’s play
Do you think that you have no imagination and completely undeveloped imagination? All of this can be learned.
The first way is to play “Danetki”: the facilitator describes an unusual situation, and the players must understand it by asking clarifying questions that can only be answered unambiguously with “yes” or “no”.
Example: “16 brass band musicians are playing in front of an audience, but no one is listening. Why?” (Answer: because they play basketball.) Questions for the game can be found on the Internet or you can buy a set of cards.
The second way – logical riddles and puzzles, for example: “What stones do not exist in the river?”, “How to throw an egg so that it flies three meters and does not break?”, “What question cannot be answered with “yes”?”.
For an adult, is such an occupation undignified? Play with your children – Edward de Bono believes that lateral thinking should be taught in schools, and some educational institutions in the West support his idea.
The third way is to come up with as many new options as possible, for example, using a deflated soccer ball, bell or floor lamp. A great idea for an evening with the family and for a mental warm-up before a meeting.
Have you mastered the easier ways? Let’s move on to the main methods of lateral thinking.
The 1 method
6 thinking hats
It is hardly necessary to explain what brainstorming is. But did you know that in most cases assaults go wrong? A typical scenario: someone generates ideas, and someone ruthlessly cuts them in the bud. The discussion comes to a standstill, everyone disperses, dissatisfied with each other.
What to do? Use 6 Thinking Hats:
• White – informational: what we have, what is missing.
• Green – creative: generating ideas and looking for alternatives.
• Red – emotional: feelings associated with the idea put forward.
• Yellow – optimistic: the benefits of the idea.
• Black – critical: checking the idea for strength, possible difficulties in implementation.
• Blue – organizational: what has been achieved and what are the next steps.
At the beginning of the meeting, you can give each of the employees one or another “headdress” and ask them not to go beyond their authority: for example, the White Hat is only responsible for facts and has no right to criticize. During the assault, you can change hats so that all participants take turns in each role. This approach will teach the “grouches” to look at other people’s ideas from a new angle and make the meeting more constructive. You can use hats alone, putting them on one by one and considering the issue from different angles.
The 2 method
synectic assault
Synectics is a combination of heterogeneous, often incompatible elements. This method is based on different types of analogy:
• Direct: how do you usually solve similar problems?
• Personal: an attempt to put oneself in the place of the subject (client, buyer)
• Summarizing: description of the task in two words.
• Symbolic: how would a fictional or real historical character solve this problem?
According to de Bono, this helps to set thoughts in motion, and also saves from stereotypical thinking.
The 3 method
random word
Another technique that is useful in brainstorming when the discussion is stalling and no solution has been found. Ask the participants to name one random word at a time and try to relate it to the topic of your discussion. On the way from an abstract word to your task, new thoughts, ideas and analogies will surely appear. The method is also good when it is not clear how to start the task. You can use it alone, writing out words and associations on paper.
The 4 method
Going beyond
Any task, both in business and in everyday life, is limited by budget, time or other resources. It is to this that critics of ideas often appeal: “But we have been allocated everything for the project …”, “And who will do it? All my people are busy!” But even if it is not always possible to cancel or revise the framework, no one prevents thoughts from breaking out beyond them. So you can expand the circle of ideas, and for sure at least some of them will be able to be implemented later.
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Of course, in order to start developing lateral thinking, it will take some courage to take the first step and, perhaps, be ridiculous. But, as Edward de Bono writes: “Thinking is not only about solving complex problems and tasks. And you need to think not only over the difficulties. Enjoy thinking about simple problems that you can easily find the answer to. In this way, you will develop the skill of thinking, confidence in your thinking abilities and love this activity.
About the Expert: Edward de Bono is a psychologist, creative thinking expert, and author of books including Lateral Thinking, Beauty of the Mind, Teach Yourself to Think, and Birth of a New Idea.