lateral thinking problem solving examples

21 Lateral Thinking Examples (And Definition)

The term lateral thinking refers to a problem-solving strategy that utilizes creative and indirect reasoning. We might colloquially call it “thinking outside the box.’

Instead of relying on step-by-step analysis of the problem, the conventional method, lateral thinking often produces solutions that only seem obvious in hindsight.

The term “lateral thinking” was coined by Edward de Bono (1967) in his book The Use of Lateral Thinking .

He illustrates the difference between lateral thinking and conventional logic-based thinking (referred to as vertical thinking) with the following lateral thinking example:

“If you were to take a set of toy blocks and build them upwards, each block resting firmly and squarely on the block below it, you would have an illustration of vertical thinking. With lateral thinking the blocks are scattered around. They may be connected to each other loosely or not at all. But the pattern that may eventually emerge can be as useful as the vertical structure” (p. 11).

Lateral thinking can be applied to any problem and is often seen in professions such as advertising and product design, where creativity is highly valued.

11 Top Lateral Thinking Examples

• Finding Alternatives: Using a car engine to generate electricity in your home during a blackout
• Working Around Problems: Starting a business when you are having trouble getting a job
• Generating Tech Solutions: Using a drone to deliver packages instead of a traditional delivery truck
• Reverse Thinking: Instead of thinking about what you want to achieve, think about what you don’t want to achieve, and find ways to avoid it.
• Seeking New Solutions: Using virtual reality technology for mental health treatment to save time and money
• Seeing Opportunity in Disaster: Using mobile apps for remote learning and education during a lockdown
• Finding a Way: Using crowdfunding to finance small business and startup projects
• Creating New Avenues: Using the sharing economy such as Airbnb and Uber to make use of underutilized resources
• Being Resourceful: Using green roofs and walls for urban agriculture and sustainable building design
• Thinking Outside the Box: Using a magnifying glass to light a fire when you realize you don’t have matches or a lighter (this is the inverse of functional fixedness )
• Divergent Thinking : Using a coconut shell as a bowl because you don’t have any bowls nearby

10 Lateral Thinking Case Studies

1. goal: make more money.

Lateral thinking involves reframing the problem in a way that allows us to see a solution that would not be seen with conventional vertical thinking.

For example, if the problem is that you want to make more money, the logic-based vertical thinking solution leads to a very logical solution: work more.

Working more means more money will be transferred to your possession; problem solved.

Unfortunately, this solution can lead to a person taking multiple jobs and working nearly every waking moment of their existence. Yes, this will generate more money. But at what expense?

Lateral thinking suggests reframing of the problem: save more money. This results in more money being in your pocket, which is the ultimate goal.

However, instead of working three jobs, the lateral solution is to spend less money. Stop buying over-priced coffee and instead purchase a good coffee maker. Instead of buying a new car, buy one second-hand.

2. The Fearless Girl

Lateral thinking can be seen in some of the most clever marketing campaigns in history. Often, the ad is amazingly simple, yet powerful. The simplicity adds to its impact.

One example can be seen in the marketing campaign known as The Fearless Girl by State Street Global Advisors.

Instead of implementing the usual strategy of producing TV ads with a respected spokesperson or having short scenes of testimonials from average citizens that have had great financial success investing in stocks, they took a quite creative approach.

They hired Kristen Visbal to sculpt a bronze figure of a young female child standing boldly, hands on hips, and placed her directly in front of the quite large and intimidating Charging Bull in the financial district of Manhattan in New York City.

The goal was to advertise an index fund which was focused on gender diverse companies that have a high percentage of women in senior leadership. That index fund is represented by the ticker symbol SHE.

3. Measuring Income Inequality

Economic equality is recognized as the source of many ills in the world today. From civil unrest to the dysfunctional family unit, when humans feel as though they do not have economic opportunity, while others live lavishly, many troubles will ensue.

The vertical thinking approach to measuring economic inequality involves a mathematical formula consisting of various economic and population indexes.

In his seminal paper (Atkinson, 1970) states that the “…conventional method of approach is misleading….I hope that these conventional measures will be rejected in favor of direct consideration of the properties that we should like the social welfare function to display” (p. 262)

He then took an unusual approach to measuring the concept by including social welfare issues. In his own words:

“Lateral thinking led to the results on the measurement of risk being applied to the problem of measuring income inequality. In this, and in other areas of economics, lateral thinking has made a significant contribution” (Atkinson, 2011, p. 319).

His use of lateral thinking has had a profound impact in economics, demonstrating that “…economics is primarily a social and moral science” (Wernerová, 2019, p. 1).

4. Challenging Assumptions: The Nine Dots Problem

The nine dots problem is well-known to most readers. Nonetheless, it is offered by de Bono (1970) as an example of how lateral thinking is accomplished by challenging assumptions.

As de Bono explains:

“In challenging assumptions, one challenges the necessity of boundaries and limits and one challenges the validity of individual concepts. As in lateral thinking in general there is no question in attacking the assumptions as wrong…It is simply a matter of trying to restructure patterns. And by definition, assumptions are patterns which usually escape the restructuring process” (p. 49).

The problem goes like this: Nine dots are arranged in three vertical rows of three. The goal is to connect the nine dots using only four straight lines, without raising the pencil from the paper.

The solution is derived by letting go of the common assumption that one cannot extend the line past the outer boundaries of the dots. Although this rule is never stated in the instructions, people have this assumption fixed in their mind.

“If one breaks through this assumption and does go beyond the boundary then the problem is easily solved…” (p. 50).

Read more about challenging assumptions in this article.

5. In the Classroom

In many of his books, de Bono likes to use classroom examples of how teachers can help their students develop lateral thinking. This is a noble cause and one reason that his work has had such an enduring impact in the study of problem-solving , divergent thinking, and creativity.

One exercise he recommends is for teachers to ask students to design a useful product. Some specific suggestions include:

• an apple-picking machine
• a cup that cannot spill
• a device to help cars park

The purpose of this activity is to show that there can be different solutions to the same problem. It is the thinking process that is so much more valuable than the end result.

“Though an idea may seem silly in itself it can still lead to something useful…No one is silly for the sake of being silly no matter how it might appear to other people. There must be a reason why something made sense to the person who drew it at the moment when it was drawn. What it appears to other people is not so important if one is trying to encourage lateral thinking. In any case whatever the reason behind a design and however silly it may be it can still be a most useful stimulus to further ideas” (de Bono, 1970, p. 61).

6. Reconceptualizing the Good Life

Some people in Western cultures start to feel a great deal of stress as a result of constantly striving to have a better life. They believe that having material objects such as a big house with a three-car garage, dining in over-priced restaurants, and wearing expensive jewelry are signs of living the good life.

This is typical vertical thinking that is defined culturally. Possessing expensive material goods equals a better life.

However, lateral thinking would change the definition of “better life.” With lateral thinking, the concept is defined as feeling relaxed, leading a slower pace of life, and spending time on hobbies.

So, the solution is simple, and many people have taken this step. Instead of working harder to purchase more material goods, they sell all they have and move to a country with a much lower cost of living.

Many Americans have done just that. For example, many Californians are selling their houses (known for expensive real estate) and moving to small beach towns in Mexico.

They arrive at the solution they want: to have a better life, but do so by escaping conventional norms through lateral thinking and taking a different path.

7. The Best TV Ad in History

Yes, crowning something as “best in history” is not an exact science. It’s a value judgment that is subjective and open to a lot of debate. However, there is no doubt that at least one of the best TV ads in history is the 1984 ad by Apple .

It was a groundbreaking piece of cinematography for a TV ad, produced by Ridley Scott, the director of Blade Runner.

The reason the ad is considered so astounding is more than just the visual aesthetics, but has a lot more to do with the message. Instead of relying on vertical thinking and boasting about the computing power or the advanced graphics chip, the ad says nothing about those features.

The ad is an exercise in lateral thinking like never before seen in the advertising world. It makes a statement about conformity, bucking the establishment, and avid individualism.

8. The “Why” Technique

The “why” lateral thinking technique by de Bono is designed to create discomfort with the information that has been provided. The process involves the teacher making a statement, followed by the student asking “why.” This exchange is repeated at length; each explanation to be questioned.

“The usual purpose of “why” is to elicit information. One wants to be comforted with some explanation which one can accept and be satisfied with. The lateral use of why is quite opposite. The intention is to create discomfort with any explanation. By refusing to be comforted with an explanation one tries to look at things in a different way and so increases the possibility of restructuring the pattern” (de Bono, 1970, p. 53).

The process is a little more complex if done properly. Rather than simply repeating the word “why,” much like the habit of a child, the serious student will be more focused. The question should be directed to a specific aspect of the previous explanation.

Even if the teacher knows of the true reason, to get the most out of this exercise, they should phrase their answer that allows enough flexibility to continue the probe.

9. Applied to Students

Srikongchan et al. (2021) pointed out that many instructional approaches in the classroom fail to foster creativity in school children.

Students “…are directed to think in the same pattern to understand the contents, working the projects, and generating the solutions. They are not encouraged to think differently or think out of the box” (p. 234).

The researchers implemented a backward instructional design by having students participate in 9 different lateral thinking learning activities.

A total of 60 fifth-grade students in an Information Technology course in Thailand took part in the study, and their degree of creativity was assessed both before and after the lateral thinking activities.

The results indicated that students:

“…significantly improved their creative thinking scores” when comparing before and after scores. “ It can be implied that the learning activities and learning experience of lateral thinking could provide students a meaningful learning process …and help the students developed creative thinking ” (p. 243).

10. The Reverse Thinking Technique

At the center of lateral thinking is the objective to look at a problem from a different perspective. The reversal technique takes similar aim.

The process leads to a way of looking at a situation that is obviously wrong, perhaps even ridiculous. This is done to escape the shackles of conventional vertical thinking.

For instance, the teacher explains that a policeman directs traffic. Then, the students are instructed to engage in reverse thinking, which leads to: the traffic controls the policeman, or, the policeman disorganizes the traffic.

This leads to a consideration of natural traffic flow, or if traffic lights would be superior to a policeman.

It doesn’t matter if the solution generated actually makes sense in the beginning; the point is that the student/problem-solver is moving in the right direction. The purpose is to be provocative and to consider the problem from an alternative point of view.

Lateral Thinking Strengths

1. discovering overlooked ideas.

One of the most valuable strengths of lateral thinking is the consideration of overlooked aspects of a problem.

Because people are so locked-in to vertical thinking, which is logical and rational, they can fail to see all aspects of a situation.

Lateral thinking encourages the examination of all aspects of a matter. Even if those elements seem inconsequential, one never knows how valuable they may be unless they are at least considered.

2. Generating a Different Perspective

Several of the techniques utilized in lateral thinking have the explicit goal of looking at a problem from a different perspective.

This is at the heart of divergent thinking or creativity, or the oft-overused saying “think outside the box.”

“In lateral thinking one is not looking for the right answer but for a different arrangement of information which will provoke a different way of looking at the situation” (de Bono, 1970, p. 71).

Even if that different way of looking seems silly and invaluable, it may actually lead to someone else having a great idea that is the exact solution needed.

3. Constructively Challenge the Status Quo

Challenging the status quo enables the problem-solver to generate useful solutions.

So often people become used to using a product a certain way or going through a procedure in a specific manner. Those routines can become so automatic that they are just accepted as standard operating procedures.

However, the techniques of lateral thinking force people to question those givens and seek alternatives.

By challenging the assumptions of why we do the things we do, we take the first step to creating a better process, which may be more efficient or may actually be a complete overhaul of standard practices.

See More: Status Quo Examples

Lateral Thinking Weaknesses

1. conceptual redundancy.

Lateral thinking has quite a bit in common with divergent thinking, innovation, and creativity.

These concepts all involve looking at situations from a different perspective and generating solutions that are unique and non-conventional.

Since there is so much overlap in these very similar concepts, one has to wonder why is there a need to invent a new term for those that already exist?

If divergent thinking and lateral thinking result in the same unique solution, then why is there a need to have two names for the same horse?

2. Fails to Acknowledge Research

One weakness of lateral thinking is that de Bono often ignores established research on thinking and problem-solving.

There has been a tremendous amount of rigid scientific research on heuristics, divergent thinking, and methods to improve problem-solving.

However, that research is unacknowledged, not even mentioned in de Bono’s many books.

To be accepted as a scientific theory, it is necessary to explain how one’s own postulations fit with other theories, particularly those theories that have earned wide acceptance due to the body of solid science behind them.

3. Reliance on Riddles, Stories, and Testimonials

Lateral thinking has been termed a “ pseudoscience ” (or, more specifically, pseudo-psychology ) by critics. Because of its reliance on riddles, fictional stories, and testimonials as support for the theory’s efficacy, it fails to meet standard criteria for legitimacy.

Although de Bono offers-up narratives as illustrating key concepts in lateral thinking, it is not the kind of evidence that is considered valid in disciplines such as modern psychology.

As Antonio Melechi succinctly concluded :

“Rather than accumulate independent empirical evidence of its efficacy, the lateral thinking movement still opts to festoon itself in anecdotes, hearsay and testimonials.”

Lateral thinking involves approaching problems in ways that result in a novel solution. Instead of taking the usual path of conventional problem-solving methods such as logic, the theory postulates that lateral thinking offers a valuable alternative.

There are several techniques presented by de Bono (1967; 1970) that facilitate lateral thinking and the generation of novel solutions. These techniques involve questioning the assumptions of the problem, challenging the usual explanations by asking “why,” and engaging in reverse thinking.

Lateral thinking can result in discovering previously overlooked aspects of a problem, helping people see the problem from a different perspective, and challenging accepted practices and conceptions.

On the other side of the coin, critics would like to see the theory supported by empirical evidence and a clear explanation of how it differs from theories that have solid scientific support.

Atkinson, A. B. (1970). On the measurement of inequality. Journal of Economic Theory, 2, 244-263.

Atkinson, A. B. (2011). On lateral thinking. The Journal of Economic Inequality, 9(3), 319-328.

de Bono, E. (1967). The use of lateral thinking. Jonathan Cape

de Bono, E. (1977). Lateral Thinking: a textbook of creativity. Penguin Books.

Srikongchan, W., Kaewkuekool, S., & Mejaleurn, S. (2021). Backward instructional design based learning activities to developing students’ creative thinking with lateral thinking technique. International Journal of Instruction , 14 (2), 233-252.

Wernerová, Barbora. (2019). Economic inequality according Atkinson. SHS Web of Conferences, 61. 01034. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20196101034

Dave Cornell (PhD)

Dr. Cornell has worked in education for more than 20 years. His work has involved designing teacher certification for Trinity College in London and in-service training for state governments in the United States. He has trained kindergarten teachers in 8 countries and helped businessmen and women open baby centers and kindergartens in 3 countries.

• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 25 Positive Punishment Examples
• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

Chris Drew (PhD)

This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Positive Punishment Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

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What is lateral thinking? 7 techniques to encourage creative ideas

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What is lateral thinking?

Why is lateral thinking important, how to improve lateral thinking: 7 techniques, benefits of lateral thinking, challenges of lateral thinking, rethink your problem-solving process.

When you feel comfortable in a routine, you might forget to think outside the box. 

Maybe you’ve been communicating with clients the same way for years, or you use the same meeting agenda template for every team. These processes could work, but they could also neglect to make space for innovation and new ideas. 

Adjusting your mindset can help you start a more open problem-solving process and drive innovation. This is what lateral thinking proposes. 

Lateral thinking means brainstorming creatively to solve problems and generate ideas without the limitations of logic-based critical thinking. Giving your teams the tools to get creative and embrace every new thought, no matter how out there it sounds, can help find inefficiencies and push your business into the future. 

Lateral thinking, sometimes called horizontal thinking or divergent thinking, is defined as an approach to problem-solving that strives for creative solutions rather than the most straightforward answer. Through spontaneous, free-flowing brainstorming, lateral thinking disrupts traditional step-by-step thinking patterns to develop as many varied creative ideas as possible. 

Psychologist Edward de Bono developed this concept in his 1967 book, The Use of Lateral Thinking. De Bono argued that the human brain has been trained to think “inside the box” and seek typical, predictable solutions, even if those aren’t the best options . He proposed lateral thinking as a new way to move past our cognitive biases and be more inventive.

Vertical thinking, the opposite of lateral thinking according to de Bono, is reason-based. You gather all available data and move sequentially from one step to the next until you reach a logical conclusion. This is what he says the human brain does naturally.

Lateral thinking instead combines imagination and intuition. You consciously try to generate ideas and scenarios that imagine uncertainties outside the information you already have. It places more importance on the ideas themselves and doesn’t dwell on the outcome until later. 

Despite their differences, vertical and lateral thinking can work together to make ideas the best they can be. Lateral thinking can stimulate more creative logic in vertical thinking, and vertical thinking fine-tunes lateral thinking’s big ideas.

Lateral thinking can increase adaptability and innovation in people who practice it. With new technologies like AI and shifting demands from the labor force, products, and processes can become outdated quickly, and new ways of thinking offer more ways to overcome potential problems.

According to a McKinsey poll of 200 organizations across several industries, 90% of executives believe that how they do business will fundamentally change between 2020 and 2025 . However, the same study found that only 21% of executives are prepared to create and embrace new growth opportunities .

Lateral thinking offers a framework for innovation that supports growth and change. It helps teams imagine the previously unimaginable and set themselves apart from the competition. Teams that can bring new perspectives to challenges will be more likely to stay with the curve and potentially create disruptive innovation that pushes the curve further ahead.

Lateral thinking might seem abstract and hard to implement. But adding steps to your brainstorming process can help you become more conscious of your th ought patterns, identify gaps, and think of creative ideas . Here are a few lateral thinking techniques to broaden your own and your team’s problem-solving skills.

1. Recognize thought patterns

Humans often get stuck in an anchoring bias : making judgments or decisions based on the first piece of information they receive. Vertical thinking encourages this bias because it builds on what you already have. As new data or ideas arrive, you stack them on top of the existing information instead of innovating.

But lateral thinkers are often more aware of their thought patterns, meaning they can better prevent biases and reorganize information.

You likely accept successful processes and services as unchangeable in your day-to-day professional life. If it’s not broken, why fix it? But asking why and how you use those processes, even when things are going well, is a common creative approach in lateral thinking to challenge ideas and break cognitive biases. 

Figuring out why you or your team does something a certain way requires you to deconstruct the process and examine each element. This naturally brings forward new ideas and helps you find barriers you didn’t even know were there. 

3. Consider all the alternatives

The logical outcome of problem-solving is to find the most efficient solution. Lateral thinking encourages you to purposefully set aside the “best” answer and brainstorm alternative approaches, regardless of how lofty they seem. 

Imagine you’re running into issues with an important spreadsheet. You’re constantly adding new information, the system is slowing down, and it’s harder to find things when you need them. You try adding more sheets and reorganizing the data, but that doesn’t quite work.

Lateral thinking could help you think of an entirely new solution, like switching to project management software instead of relying on one spreadsheet.

4. Invite external stimuli

You may know what work environment best suits your critical thinking and concentration skills . While a steady environment may help your focus, it might also put you in a comfort zone that limits your creativity. 

Find new stimuli that encourage lateral thinking, like playing music to concentrate differently, taking breaks in the middle of the day, or soliciting the opinion of a colleague from another department. Not every new method will be successful, but trying is part of innovating.

5. Reframe ideas

During a brainstorming session, you’ll likely come up with good ideas that seem too complicated or hard to implement. Lateral thinking encourages you to take these ideas seriously rather than immediately dismissing them. 

If you or your team think of a big idea, dedicate just a few minutes to discussing it. Examine your restrictions and ask what financial, operational, or time constraints create a barrier to entry. With that information, you can try to reformulate the idea from different perspectives until it becomes more viable.

6. Try random entry

When you feel stuck on a certain thinking pattern, random entry can shake things up and stimulate lateral thinking. Random entry introduces a random word or image to a brainstorming session. Even if it seems unrelated, try associating it with the problem at hand. The process of making those connections can help you come up with out-of-the-box ideas.

Imagine you’re a branding agency working on a rebrand for a coffee shop. The client doesn’t want to use the typical insignia like coffee beans or mugs. To provoke a new idea, you randomly select a word from the dictionary: “spine.” You map out different word associations to “spine” and end up creating a new brand based on the idea of coffee as a backbone. 

7. Mind mapping

Mind maps are a common brainstorming technique that helps teams visualize problems to find more expansive ideas. You begin with a central problem and break it into smaller pieces until you have a larger document with many ideas in one place.

Seeing everything together fosters more creative connections, and studies have shown that mind mapping helps people retain and develop information more effectively. Lateral thinking also has the potential to become disorganized with so many different ideas at play, and mind maps can avoid that problem by keeping everything in one place.

Lateral thinking skills give you the tools to be more creative and solve problems that you previously thought would stay problems. Here are a few more benefits of lateral thinking:

Offers fresh thoughts: Anything-goes brainstorming sessions have the potential to bring wild new ideas to the table. With lateral thinking, sometimes all it takes is a little refining to bring those unthinkable concepts into exciting solutions. 

Challenges assumptions: Lateral thinkers question their thought processes to distance themselves from the biases and linear thinking that limit creativity. Developing self-awareness about your problem-solving unlocks the potential to innovate. 

Builds new ways of thinking: Lateral thinking doesn’t just prompt you to seek new solutions. It teaches you that there are other ways to think through problems. Approaching a problem from a creative mindset can apply to other areas of work that require critical thinking, like negotiating a new salary , finding ways to increase employee engagement , or dealing with difficult people . 

Widens your focus: Breaking a problem into smaller parts and exploring them laterally helps you spot solutions without distraction. Looking at the whole of a problem can make you waste time jumping around from point to point, and focusing heavily on a single aspect at a time lets you dive deeper. 

Presents another way: “This is the way we’ve always done it” doesn’t mean that particular process is the best. Lateral thinking teaches you to challenge that idea and create alternative solutions for everything. The things that work well can work even better if you dissect them and find small ways to improve. 

Successful lateral thinking requires effort and experience. Thinking big can break you out of stale habits, but if your team can’t bring those ideas to a realistic action, you could create bigger problems than you started with. Here are some challenges of lateral thinking:

Indecision: Weaning down great ideas into a single solution may be difficult and time-consuming. Try including sound market research and other data in your process to find the decision with the biggest impact.

Reckless thinking: Lofty ideas are most helpful when you have the resources to back them up. If you don’t properly check with all stakeholders, you may run into problems along the way that bottleneck development or force you to toss it after dedicating precious time and money. 

Too much at once: You may be tempted to tackle too much and burn out your team. Successful change takes time. Roll it out slowly so you have space to review and refine new processes. 

Disruption: A culture of experimentation encourages employees to implement ideas that go outside the box. But without clear communication and realistic limitations, you could risk implementing new concepts that do more harm than good. Lateral thinking still requires analysis and planning. 

Understanding what lateral thinking is and how to use it can be a challenge. But giving your team the tools and freedom to think outside the box and pursue the roads less traveled will pay off in the end.

Lateral thinking leads to more creative collaboration and greater innovation. You could also uncover inefficiencies in your business you never knew were there. 

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

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Lateral Thinking by Edward De Bono explained

Lateral Thinking: this article provides a practical explanation of lateral thinking , developed by Edward the Bono . Next to what it is (definition and meaning), this article also highlights lateral thinking examples and where you can use this method for. After reading, you’ll understand the basics of this useful problem solving method and creativity> tool. It’s easy to use once you get it, and the result can be a true paradigm shift. Enjoy reading

What is lateral thinking? The theory explained

The definition and meaning of lateral thinking.

Lateral thinking is defined by Oxford’s Lexico as solving problems with “an indirect and creative approach, typically through viewing the problem in a new and unusual light.” But it’s not just another buzzword.

The concept of lateral thinking has been around for decades and it has a very specific methodology. This means you can use lateral thinking tools to solve your own or your business’s problems in a new and creative way. It is especially suitable for idea generation.

The thing that distinguishes this problem-solving method from the rest of the bunch is that you’re encouraged to change the way you look at the problem. When you do that, you may find that the “problem” you were trying to solve is not the problem. The problem is actually something else.

How is that possible? Before you start solving a problem step by step, you need to perceive it. You need to form an understanding of the problem, a conceptual framework of what is happening. You build that based on your existing understanding of how things should work and may take some elements of the problem for granted because of that.

If that preconceived notion of the problem is wrong, you can’t solve it. The other thing that prevents you from solving the problem is thinking vertically, or linear thinking .

For instance, if you run an IT company and the product you’re working on fails to perform when the number of visitors increases, simply scaling up the hardware may not solve the problem. You may need to find operational bottlenecks and improve them instead.

Lateral thinking examples

The easiest way to understand lateral thinking is by looking at riddles that require you to find a new way of looking at the problem. Here’s one.

A man rode into town on Monday. He stayed for three nights and then left on Monday. How can that be?

If you start to think of it, it doesn’t make any sense. It’s six nights till the next Monday, not three. A careful reader, however, will spot that the man rode into town, not drove into it. Since the road to town took some time, it’s natural he left on Monday after spending only three nights there.

Now, this riddle is a linguistic one, but it takes a tiny conceptual shift to solve it. We don’t use horses anymore, so most people automatically assume the process of riding into a town is instantaneous. Here’s a more difficult riddle.

A man is wearing all black. He is walking down a street where all street lamps are off. A black car is coming towards him with its lights off but somehow manages to stop in time. How did the driver see the man?

Since there are so many words denoting blackness in this riddle, at first, most people assume the street was pitch black. But the fact that the street lamps were off may mean it was actually daytime, so there is no way that the driver could have missed the black-clad man.

This is what lateral thinking is in its essence. The process of challenging your own assumptions about the problem you’re facing. Now that you understand how it works, let’s look at a more down-to-earth example.

A hungry customer walks into a restaurant. There are plenty of places to sit, but he wanders for a bit and leaves. Why?

This is no riddle. It’s a problem hundreds of business owners struggle with, and it has no definite answer. Take a minute or two and come up with possible reasons of what might have happened. Here’s our list for the reference:

• The customer just didn’t like the atmosphere.
• The customer expected to find their friends there but didn’t.
• The customer was misled by the sign and thought the place served Italian food, but it didn’t.
• The customer was looking for a power outlet but all the tables with them were taken.
• The customer came over because of the advertised happy hour, didn’t find any information about it on display, and thought he missed it.

While none of these are solutions in and of themselves, these iterations on the initial problem show possible causes of it. You can’t change the outcome in the first two cases, but the last three variants give you an opportunity to improve things.

Where can you use lateral thinking?

The basics of lateral thinking are easy to grasp, but where can use this methodology apart from solving riddles?

The game of Go

If you haven’t heard of Go yet, you read up and try to play it. It’s a strategic Japanese game that can change your perception of strategy in both business and life.

This game is well suited for lateral thinking, especially for beginners. Often, beginners with a Western background start playing this game with a bunch of preconceptions that prove completely wrong.

For instance, you can solve the problem on one end of the gameboard by ignoring it and focusing your efforts on dominating the opponent on the rest of the board. You may not ever become a professional, but the insights and the application of lateral thinking can be eye-opening.

Lean methodology

While lean thinking or lean methodology is rooted in lean manufacturing , you can use this approach in any industry. The core of lean thinking is constantly looking for areas of your business to improve and solving problems by finding structurally new approaches to them. Sounds a lot like lateral thinking.

For instance, you create a value stream map and see that it takes too much time to pass on tasks from one department to the next. The regular approach to this problem is to have a meeting and state how important it is to work across departments.

If you apply lateral thinking, however, you’ll see that the problem is workers don’t want to check their emails and risk losing concentration. Implementing HR software with a digital task whiteboard that every employee can check with in the morning can be the right solution because it doesn’t distract workers.

Customer journey mapping

The last example of lateral thinking is basically a customer journey map . When you create one, you are confronted with user behavior but not much explanation of it. Combine data mining and behavior tracking with lateral thinking to come up with the right interpretation of the problem and its solution.

Innovation is where lateral thinking shines. What is entrepreneurship if not finding new unsolved problems and coming up with creative ways to solve them? Use lateral thinking to challenge your assumptions of the problems people face, and you will find the sweet spot.

You can test your solutions with another De Bono’s methodology, the six thinking hats to make sure it’s going to work.

How to implement lateral thinking

Whatever problem you’re solving, here are two simple steps you have to take to make your thinking and implementation process effective.

Use methodology

Lateral thinking is not just thinking creatively. You have to challenge the framing of the problem. Ask yourself:

• What unknown factors may influence the outcome?
• What can we misinterpret in the formulation of the problem?
• Is this problem a part of a bigger problem?

If you’re stuck with problem-solving, try using the random association method. Pick a random word from the dictionary or a book, and form free associations with that work that may solve the problem.

For instance, if the problem is lack of cross-department cooperation, and the word you find is “equine,” you may remember that the word comes from Latin. Romans were known for creating laws that are still followed across the Western world, so maybe you can work on your company rules.

Track performance

Whatever solution you come up with, don’t forget it’s just an idea, not the perfect solution. An idea that may work or fail.

Now It’s Your Turn

What do you think? Do you recognize the explanation of lateral thinking, developed by psychologist Edward de Bono? Do you use lateral thinking in practice? What other tools for creativity are you familiar with, which also contribute to solving problems?

Share your experience and knowledge in the comments box below.

More information

• Bun, K. J. (2018). 67 Lateral Thinking Puzzles: Games And Riddles To Kill Time And Build Brain Cells . Independently published.
• De Bono, E . (1992). Serious creativity: using the power of lateral thinking to create new ideas . HarperBusiness.
• De Bono, E. (2015). Serious Creativity: How to Be Creative Under Pressure and Turn Ideas into Action . Random House UK .
• Yasuyuki, M. (1998). Go, an Asian Paradigm for Business Strategy . Kiseido Publishing Company.

How to cite this article: Craig, S. (2020). Lateral Thinking (De Bono) . Retrieved [insert date] from Toolshero: https://www.toolshero.com/problem-solving/lateral-thinking/

Original publication date: 01/13/2020 | Last update: 11/11/2023

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Susan Craig

Susan Craig is an HR manager, personal trainee in management, freelance writer, and active guest contributor for HR-software .

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What is lateral thinking?

Last updated

27 April 2023

Reviewed by

Eliz Ayaydin

Most people have heard of the saying “think outside the box” or some variation of it, like “color outside the lines.” But you might not realize that those concepts are rooted in a psychological processing method called lateral thinking.

So, what is lateral thinking? And more importantly, how can today’s leaders, researchers, and marketers apply it to modern problem-solving and project-based initiatives?

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• Understanding lateral thinking

Lateral thinking is a solutions-based series of techniques that help the user reframe a challenge or problem with a renewed or more creative perspective. Using new relationships and associations that are not always immediately present can help you change your perspective and identify emerging or new solutions.

This technique also involves employing different methods or paths to achieve an outcome or solve a problem. It applies a creative approach.

In that sense, lateral thinking differs from vertical thinking, which is a more linear approach where following predictable steps produces predictable outcomes.

Lateral thinking goes beyond brainstorming. It involves an entire series of steps and intentional mindset methods that ultimately allow you to “think outside the box” to create, solve, and build in new directions and innovative ways. It allows you to challenge norms and break through with more efficient, effective, or resilient outcomes.

• The principles of lateral thinking in UX design

Lateral thinking has four pillars, or principles.

1. The first is the process of recognizing the given problem’s dominant ideas and perceptions.

2. The second pillar involves searching for new ways to look at the problem.

3. The third pillar is letting go of rigid thinking rules, allowing the mind to explore new alternative solutions.

4. The final pillar is the act of coming up with other ideas.

You can use these four core pillars of lateral thinking to break up and recombine the elements in different, unexpected ways to think outside the box. Together, these four principles allow you to step outside of the core issue and reapproach it with fresh eyes, a fresh mindset, and no predispositions.

• Benefits of lateral thinking in UX design

Lateral thinking offers many benefits. Some of the greatest are those leveraged in UX design projects.

Rigid and efficient template formats are great starting points in design, but breaking down those “lines” with lateral thinking enables a designer to “color” outside of them.

• Three modes of thinking in ideation sessions

When you break down your thought processes into lateral thinking ideation sessions, you’ll engage in one of the three modes of thinking below. Whatever it is that you’re creating or solving, you can apply any (or all three) of these modes to tap into the most creative lateral thinking.

Divergent thinking

Divergent thinking is an early-stage form of lateral thinking where you pool together ideas, prioritizing quantity over quality.

Imagine a map with a single idea or problem at the center. You might draw lines outward from that central point to represent new thoughts. Those lines can branch out further with even more ideas.

During this thinking session, you throw all your concepts at the wall—the good, the bad, and the ugly. You don’t need to consider practical constraints. Instead, you can discover even more innovative paths forward.

Often, this type of thinking is also called “blue sky thinking.” It’s creative brainstorming without any limits.

Emergent thinking

If divergent thinking is considered the early stage, emergent thinking is the in-between phase of thought processing. It involves comparing and combining ideas. Here, variations of the original ideas will begin to evolve into new ideas.

This is the idea-building phase where you’ll form new connections, shake things up a bit, and allow sparks of creativity to creep into the solution or design-building process.

Divergent thinking is more chaotic than emergent thinking. Sessions in this phase will allow for trigger stimuli and platforms to develop. It’s here that the really big and exciting ideas can emerge as you move toward completely unforeseen possibilities.

Convergent thinking

Convergent thinking involves closing off the sessions with logical reasoning. You’ll sift through all your ideas, hone in on common themes and ideas, and eliminate those that don’t lead to effective solutions. You’ll narrow down the ideas that fit best by running them through the “filter” of feasibility, visibility, and desirability.

There’s still plenty more to do before you can bring your big ideas to fruition—but this final thinking session is where you can hope to settle on your final solution or idea.

• Elements that influence ideation sessions

Several influential factors will contribute to your ideation sessions. Each of these elements will play a role in your lateral thinking exercise. Take care to recognize and incorporate the factors that make the most sense to your project ideation. Allow those influences to help you forge new designs and solutions moving forward.

Mental modes

You’ll want to consider the mental modes, also known as thinking modes. Understand how you process information and adjust your thinking in a way that will allow you to generate non-traditional or non-linear ideas. Recognize when you’re “coloring inside the lines” so you can determine when it’s okay to step outside of them.

People dynamics

Some people dynamics involve understanding and managing group cohesion in an effort to tap into the collective’s cognitive power. Group dynamics will enable a team approach, which avoids people-related obstacles and improves the generation of new ideas.

Brilliant ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, anytime. Foster an environment where people are comfortable sharing ideas—good and bad—during ideation sessions.

Clear goals

This might seem obvious, but goal-setting influences ideation sessions. Your ideation session will be much more productive if you have clear objectives and have identified potential problems.

It’s a good idea to create a problem statement or point of view before your ideation session begins. From there, you can move into the various modes of thinking with a finish line in mind. You should also outline the roles of the people involved and the project’s requirements.

Tools and methods

You can’t embark on a new project of any kind without first assembling the tools needed to facilitate your efforts. Ideation sessions are no different.

Prepare and leverage any ideation methods and tools you need to help you think beyond the boundaries of traditional problem-solving. Bring in the whiteboards. Introduce a full palette of colors instead of predetermined color combinations. And tap into every tool that encourages lateral thinking processes.

Constraints

Don’t think of constraints as inhibitors. You’ll want to identify and implement the right kind of constraints during your ideation sessions. These will guide your lateral thinking process as a group and in conjunction with the team’s objectives. It can be a chaotic process without a few ground rules in place.

• How to improve lateral thinking

Lateral thinking, like any other human process or function, can be strengthened and improved. Practice the techniques below to build in some muscle memory for breaking free from rigid approaches, allowing more creative freedom when researching and finding solutions.

Mind mapping

Mind mapping involves visualizing your project and process. Write down a central problem or topic, then think of new, related ideas and have them spread out from the center.

Follow these steps when mind mapping:

Identify your central concept

Add branches that correlate to your concept

Add additional terms to expand your reach and search efforts

Incorporate images and colors to stimulate new ideas and visually connect them

Embrace each team member’s ideas and perceptions

Using your senses

Another way to improve lateral thinking is by getting back to basics and using your five senses. Critically think about how you perceive the concept before you. Think shape, size, environmental sounds, and touch. When you’re mindful of the five senses, you can expand your creative thinking to include innovative new ideas.

Reverse thinking

You can also incorporate reverse thinking to improve your efforts. With this technique, you identify the solution or next step that most other people would adopt. Then, explore solutions for the opposite.

Don’t be afraid to challenge your own thinking. For example, perhaps you’re not a fan of the color green, so you avoid this color in every design project you take on. Recognize your preconceived notions so you can break free of them during your ideation sessions.

• Tips for incorporating lateral thinking in UX design

As a digital creator or professional interested in exploring lateral thinking methods for UX design, you’ll benefit from these techniques. You’re in an artistic field, so you will naturally want creative freedom. However, there are rules to follow when it comes to effective UX designs.

Consider these tips to help you find your perfect creative, yet effective, balance for lateral thinking.

Be aware of your traditional or default thought processes so that you can explore beyond them.

Open yourself up to random and unassociated stimulation, like taking a different route than usual, listening to a podcast, or having a conversation with a stranger.

Always be looking for alternatives and take more time to think of other options.

Find transitional objects or bridges to new concepts. A transitional object is something that embodies certain characteristics that you can use as inspiration for new ideas.

Ask random questions about your designs and techniques.

Challenge your habits regularly.

Alter your thinking by doing things like reversing the relationship between parts of a problem or going in the opposite direction of what’s implied.

• Examples of lateral thinking in UX design

Lateral thinking and the processes involved can be hard to grasp if you’re unfamiliar with the techniques. To help you visualize how to apply these processes to your UX design projects, check out the following design-related examples:

Incorporating new formats that contradict design norms

Forming new angles where most designs incorporate rigid symmetry

Sampling color combinations not traditionally used in UX design

Breaking free of template designs to favor new flows of online user experiences

What is lateral thinking vs. vertical thinking?

A vertical thinking method relies heavily on logic and patterns for more rigid decision-making.

Lateral thinking, on the other hand, embraces a more creative method for seeking and identifying new ways to approach decision-making. This technique results in innovation, whereas vertical thinking results in predetermined or expected results.

What is creative thinking vs. lateral thinking?

Creative thinking is a broad term used to describe how you might explore all possibilities. Lateral thinking is similar because it also takes a more creative approach, but it’s more structured. It involves a series of processes and considers a host of factors to intentionally explore beyond traditional formats or boundaries. It’s an expressed method of creative thinking.

Is lateral thinking necessary for creativity?

Being creative as a stand-alone concept can be challenging if you don’t apply some methods and structure. Lateral thinking is essential for results-driven creativity. It allows you to apply specific methods to be more effective creatively.

Is lateral thinking the same as brainstorming?

Think of brainstorming or life-storming (where you reflect on your experiences to draw inspiration) as a step in the lateral thinking process. Lateral thinking encompasses all the steps from mindset to ideation sessions, including brainstorming beyond normal interpretations.

Why is lateral thinking important for problem-solving?

There’s no sense in trying to reinvent the wheel if there’s already a solution to an existing problem. However, problems tend to shift and present new challenges that call for new solutions. Sometimes, existing solutions can still be improved for better efficiency or engagement. Lateral thinking is pivotal in any problem-solving endeavor that calls for innovation.

Start coloring outside the lines and thinking outside the box with lateral thinking strategies. It’s how today’s designers, researchers, and problem-solvers find new and innovative ways forward. When you can apply methods and processes to your creativity, you can explore entirely new solutions and discover ground-breaking results.

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What Is Lateral Thinking? The Skill We Should All Have

In both work and home life, problem-solving often follows repetitive, formulaic patterns and procedures. Not necessarily the best way to solve a problem by any means—just what we’re used to (or how we’re instructed).

These can be described as linear, non-creative problem-solving strategies. But what would happen if we began employing unfamiliar, unorthodox approaches to resolve the difficult situations we encounter?

Look no further than lateral thinking. 

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into lateral thinking, its history as a concept, and the nuts and bolts of exactly how it’s supposed to work. We’ll then examine how you can study this skill in-depth and detail how you can deploy lateral thinking to your advantage with various techniques.

Use this clickable menu below to zip through to a specific section:

• Edward de Bono

Six Thinking Hats

Random word brainstorming, non-linear directions, lateral thinking tips, oblique strategies, morning pages.

• Closing Thoughts

1. What is lateral thinking?

Lateral thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves looking at a problem or situation from different perspectives and coming up with creative and unconventional solutions. 

It’s a type of thinking that encourages the use of imagination, creativity, and innovation to generate new ideas.

Lateral thinking is often contrasted with vertical thinking, which involves solving problems in a step-by-step, logical manner. 

Lateral thinking, on the other hand, involves breaking away from traditional patterns of thought and exploring new and unexpected connections between ideas.

Edward de Bono 

Like cutting pizza with scissors? Not at all. Rather than zany, “outside the box” strategies, lateral thinking represents something more scientific and methodical. 

The term “lateral thinking” was coined by Edward de Bono in his book The Use of Lateral Thinking, published in 1967. De Bono believed that lateral thinking could be taught and developed and that it could be applied to a wide range of fields, from business and science to art and literature.

According to de Bono, traditional thinking is often based on established patterns and rules, which can be limiting when generating new ideas. Conversely, lateral thinking involves breaking away from these patterns and investigating fresh avenues of thought. 

De Bono emphasized the importance of provocation in lateral thinking, which involves deliberately seeking out ideas that are unlikely or even absurd to stimulate new ways of thinking.

De Bono developed several techniques and tools to help individuals and teams practice lateral thinking. One of these is the “Six Thinking Hats” approach, which involves using different modes of thinking, represented by different colored hats, to explore a problem from different angles. 

The goal of the technique is to help individuals and teams think more thoroughly and systematically about a problem and to avoid getting stuck in one particular mode of thinking.

Here’s how the Six Thinking Hats approach should play out:

• White Hat : The white hat represents the perspective of objective facts and data. When wearing the white hat, individuals focus on gathering and analyzing information related to the problem or situation.
• Red Hat : The red hat represents the perspective of emotions and intuition. When wearing the red hat, individuals focus on how they feel about the problem or situation and explore their emotional reactions and gut instincts.
• Black Hat : The black hat represents the perspective of caution and critical thinking. When wearing the black hat, individuals focus on identifying potential risks and problems, and on identifying ways to mitigate or avoid them.
• Yellow Hat : The yellow hat represents the perspective of optimism and positivity. When wearing the yellow hat, individuals focus on identifying the potential benefits and opportunities associated with the problem or situation.
• Green Hat : The green hat represents the perspective of creativity and innovation. When wearing the green hat, individuals focus on generating new ideas and approaches to the problem or situation.
• Blue Hat : The blue hat represents the perspective of organization and facilitation. When wearing the blue hat, individuals focus on managing the thinking process itself, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and that the discussion remains focused and productive.

To use the Six Thinking Hats approach, individuals or teams may take turns “wearing” each hat and exploring the problem or situation from that particular perspective. 

By doing so, they can gain a more thorough understanding of the problem and generate a wider range of potential solutions. The technique can be used in a variety of settings, from business and organizational contexts to educational and personal settings.

The idea of imaginary hats acting as metaphors for different modes of work (and play) has since seeped into popular culture and the common workplace. This ubiquity is testament to the profound nature of lateral thinking and de Bono’s groundbreaking work.

Another lateral thinking method developed by de Bono is “random word” brainstorming, which involves using a random word as a starting point for generating ideas.

The idea behind the technique is that by starting with a completely unrelated word, you can stimulate your brain to make new connections and associations that you might not have otherwise thought of.

Here’s how the technique works:

• Choose a random word : To start the process, choose a completely random word. This could be a word you find in a dictionary, a word generated by a random word generator, or even a word you hear someone say on the street.
• Associate the word with the problem : Once you have your random word, try to associate it with the problem or challenge you are trying to solve. Look for any connections or associations between the word and the problem.
• Brainstorm ideas : Using the random word as a starting point, brainstorm as many ideas as you can. Try to come up with ideas completely that are unrelated to the problem at hand, but that still somehow connect to the random word.
• Refine your ideas : Once you have a list of ideas, review and refine them. Look for any ideas that are particularly interesting or promising, and think about how you might be able to adapt or develop them to fit the problem you are trying to solve.

The random-word brainstorming technique is just one of many tools and techniques developed by Edward de Bono to promote lateral thinking and creativity.

By using this technique, you can break out of established patterns of thinking and come up with truly original ideas that might not have occurred to you otherwise.

Such brainstorming methods—also referred to as mind mapping, thought showering, or brainwriting—are prime examples of the non-linear thought patterns encouraged by lateral thinking exercises.

As mentioned previously, standard problem-solving takes shape as a linear, step-by-step thought process. This approach can be represented as:

• Complete step X
• Complete step Y
• Complete step Z

This is, of course, essential for solving problems such as doing the laundry or sending off your tax forms. But, as mentioned, if humans as a species never deviated from these linear patterns of thought, our scientific, technological, and cultural advancements would be hindered greatly. 

Lateral thinking represents a willingness to generate a large number of new ideas without worrying if they are good or not. This mass of material can then be sifted through to find the ideas that are the most promising. 

Allowing words or images to flow spontaneously is a technique common in a wide range of practices, from psychotherapy (word association, Rorschach diagrams, talk therapy) to the arts (automatic writing, spontaneous music, free painting), and marketing and technology (brainstorming, design sprints, SCAMPER).

These are all methods for accessing deeper levels of consciousness, and some may even be used in meditation or other contemplative practices. By this token, the origins of lateral thinking can be traced back to the 19th century, when automatic writing was used as a form of divination or spiritual communication. 

2. How to use lateral thinking

So far, what’s not to love? Lateral thinking seems to be a no-brainer for boosting creativity and innovation. The tricky part is, how do you incorporate lateral thinking into your existing workflow, practices, and daily routines? 

Below are some quick tips, followed by a couple of more detailed methods.

• Look for alternative perspectives : Try to see things from different perspectives. If you are facing a problem or challenge, consider how someone from a different background, culture, or profession might approach the issue.
• Use random prompts : Use a random word or image to generate new ideas or associations. For example, you could pick a word from a dictionary at random and try to come up with as many ideas as possible related to that word.
• Ask “What If” questions : Ask yourself “What If” questions to explore different scenarios and possibilities. For example, “What if I were to approach this problem from a completely different angle?” or “What if I were to consider the opposite of what I believe to be true?”
• Challenge assumptions : Be aware of your assumptions and challenge them. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it is the best or only way to do it. Consider alternative approaches and question the status quo.
• Practice combining ideas : Try combining ideas from different domains to come up with new solutions or products. For example, what if you combine a camera with a phone? This is how the smartphone was created.
• Play games that encourage lateral thinking : Many games can help you practice lateral thinking, such as puzzles, riddles, and word games.

By incorporating these strategies into your day-to-day life, you can develop your lateral thinking skills and become more creative and innovative in your approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Oblique Strategies is a set of cards or prompts created by musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt in 1975. The cards are intended to help users break out of creative blocks or find new solutions to problems through a series of random or unexpected prompts.

Each card contains a cryptic or enigmatic phrase or instruction, such as “Honor thy error as a hidden intention” or “Repetition is a form of change”. The idea is to draw a card at random and use the phrase or instruction as a jumping-off point for creative thinking or problem-solving.

Eno and Schmidt developed the cards as a way to disrupt habitual thinking patterns and encourage users to approach problems in a more open-minded and exploratory way. The prompts are intentionally ambiguous and open to interpretation, allowing users to bring their experiences and perspectives to the process.

Oblique Strategies has become a popular tool for artists, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals and has been used in a variety of contexts, from brainstorming sessions to individual creative projects. The prompts can be used to generate new ideas, overcome creative blocks, or challenge assumptions and biases.

There are several versions of Oblique Strategies available, including a physical deck of cards, a mobile app, and a website that generates a random prompt with each refresh.

Morning pages is a technique for freewriting that was popularized by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way. The idea is to write three pages of longhand stream-of-consciousness writing every morning as soon as you wake up.

The purpose of morning pages is to clear your mind, gain clarity, and unlock your creativity. By writing without censorship or judgment, you can tap into your subconscious mind and access new ideas and insights.

The rules for morning pages are simple: write whatever comes to mind without worrying about spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Don’t stop to edit or revise; just keep writing until you have filled three pages. Write as quickly as possible without stopping to think or analyze what you are writing.

Morning pages can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to overcome creative blocks, reduce anxiety, or gain clarity and focus in their daily life. By getting your thoughts down on paper first thing in the morning, you can start your day with a clear mind and a sense of purpose.

Many people find that morning pages help them to identify patterns in their thinking and behavior, as well as clarify their goals and priorities. The practice can also be therapeutic, providing a safe space for self-expression and emotional release.

Overall, morning pages is a simple and effective tool for anyone looking to boost their creativity, reduce stress, or gain more clarity and focus in their daily life.

3. Closing thoughts

Stepping away from safe, procedural patterns of thought and execution is crucial to creativity and innovation. 

While Edward de Bono gave lateral thinking its name in 1967, the core technique—altering your state of mind to change one’s perspective—has its roots in various creative, philosophical, and religious customs. 

That said, you don’t need to be a philosopher or an artistic genius in order to give lateral thinking a whirl. If you feel stuck in a creative rut or fixed on rails at work, see if Oblique Strategies or morning pages cause a shift in perspective. 

Or, for the more laterally ambitious among you, why not honor Edward de Bono and organize your very own Six Thinking Hats workshop?

Above all, don’t be afraid to think differently, and don’t be afraid to fail. 

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy these: 

• What Is the Design Thinking Process? The 5 Steps Complete Guide
• Which Tech Career Path Is Right For Me? [2023 Guide]
• How to Apply Design Thinking to Wicked Problems

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Lateral Thinking

What is lateral thinking.

Lateral thinking (horizontal thinking) is a form of ideation where designers approach problems by using reasoning that is disruptive or not immediately obvious. They use indirect and creative methods to think outside the box and see problems from radically new angles, gaining insights to help find innovative solutions.

“You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.” — Dr. Edward de Bono, Brain-training pioneer who devised lateral thinking 

See how lateral thinking can stretch towards powerful, “impossible” solutions:

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Lateral Thinking helps Break Out of the Box

Many problems (e.g., mathematical ones) require the vertical, analytical, step-by-step approach we’re so familiar with. Called linear thinking , it’s based on logic, existing solutions and experience: You know where to start and what to do to reach a solution, like following a recipe. However, many design problems—particularly, wicked problems —are too complex for this critical path of reasoning. They may have several potential solutions. Also, they won’t offer clues; unless we realize our way of thinking is usually locked into a tight space and we need a completely different approach.

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That’s where lateral thinking comes in – essentially thinking outside the box. “The box” refers to the apparent constraints of the design space and our limited perspective from habitually meeting problems head-on and linearly. Designers often don’t realize what their limitations are when considering problems – hence why lateral thinking is invaluable in (e.g.) the design thinking process. Rather than be trapped by logic and assumptions, you learn to stand back and use your imagination to see the big picture when you:

Focus on overlooked aspects of a situation/problem .

Challenge assumptions – to break free from traditional ways of understanding a problem/concept/solution.

Seek alternatives – not just alternative potential solutions, but alternative ways of thinking about problems .

When you do this, you tap into disruptive thinking and can turn an existing paradigm on its head. Notable examples include:

The mobile defibrillator and mobile coronary care – Instead of trying to resuscitate heart-attack victims once they’re in hospital, treat them at the scene .

Uber – Instead of investing in a fleet of taxicabs, have drivers use their own cars .

Rather than focus on channeling more resources into established solutions to improve them, these innovators assessed their problems creatively and uncovered game-changing (and life-changing) insights.

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How to Get Fresh Perspectives with Lateral Thinking 

For optimal results, use lateral thinking early in the divergent stages of ideation . You want to reframe the problem and:

Understand what’s constraining you and why .

Find new strategies to solutions and places/angles to start exploring .

Find the apparent edges of your design space and push beyond them – to reveal the bigger picture.

You can use various methods. A main approach is provocations : namely, to make deliberately false statements about an aspect of the problem/situation . This could be to question the norms through contradiction, distortion, reversal (i.e., of assumptions), wishful thinking or escapism , for example:

Here, we see the norm of conventional schooling challenged and some unpredictable (and even outrageous) notions to trigger our thinking. Our example showcases this method:

Bad Ideas – You think up as many bad or crazy ideas as possible, but these might have potentially good aspects (e.g., helping children specialize in desired subjects earlier). You also establish why bad aspects are bad (e.g., inserting biochips would be a gross violation of human rights).

Other helpful methods include:

Random Metaphors

Randomly pick an item near you or word from a dictionary and write down as many aspects/associations about it as possible. E.g., “Exhibition” – “visitors walk around enjoying paintings”; “learn about cultures”; “pleasant environment”.

Pretend some genius in your field told you this item/word is a good metaphor for your project. E.g., you can organize information, tips and images for your travel-related app to also act like an art/museum exhibition, so anyone can enjoy an interesting tour of a given location.

Use the metaphors you think of to improve your design/product. E.g., you create a captivating app which virtual tourists can enjoy with (e.g.) virtual reality features.

SCAMPER – To help generate ideas for new solutions, ask 7 different types of questions to help understand how you might innovate and improve existing products, services, concepts, etc. SCAMPER is remarkably easy to learn and efficient in ideation sessions.

Six Thinking Hats – To reach for alternative viewpoints, you examine problems from 6 perspectives, one at a time (e.g., white hat = focusing on available data; black hat = focusing on potentially negative outcomes). 

Overall, it’s important to stay aware of where ideation sessions are going. You may need to pause to redirect the group’s thinking or introduce a new trigger/provocation to help the creative process. Later, you use convergent thinking to isolate optimal solutions.

Learn More about Lateral Thinking

Take our Creativity course , featuring lateral thinking.

This thought-provoking Smashing Magazine blog explores l ateral thinking with more techniques .

Read one design team’s insightful account about lateral thinking .

Questions related to Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking is changing your approach to solve problems or generate new ideas. Take Edward de Bono’s ‘Six Thinking Hats’ as an example of lateral thinking. It involves adopting different roles to approach problems. This video shows how to break free from your usual thinking patterns.

Imagine a person who is generally optimistic. Using the ' black hat ' approach, they could try looking at things negatively. This might help them find new, innovative solutions that they wouldn't have thought of. They can gain a better understanding of the situation by changing their perspective.

The four lateral thinking techniques are:

Provocation : This involves disrupting conventional thinking patterns with unusual ideas.

Challenge : The challenge is about questioning the status quo. It’s about looking at things as if they might be wrong, even if they seem right. This approach encourages deeper analysis and alternative viewpoints.

Random Entry : This technique generates new ideas using a random word or idea as a starting point. It creates connections that may not be immediately noticeable.

Alternatives : It focuses on shifting thinking patterns by exploring various directions and possibilities.

All these techniques encourage thinking outside the box and fostering creativity.

Lateral thinking and linear thinking are two distinct approaches to problem-solving. Linear thinking is sequential and logical. It follows a straight, step-by-step path that relies on data and analysis. It focuses on following the standard path of reasoning going along, as Alan Dix describes it. 

Lateral thinking is non-linear. It involves creativity and looking at problems from various angles. It’s about challenging assumptions and exploring unconventional solutions. 

Linear thinking concentrates on details and processes. Whereas lateral thinking emphasizes brainstorming and producing innovative ideas. Both are valuable, but they approach problems from different perspectives.

Yes, lateral thinking is a valuable skill. It's a problem-solving approach that stresses creative thinking. Unlike traditional linear thinking, it's about exploring diverse ideas. You can hone this skill through practice, challenging assumptions, making unexpected connections, and approaching problems from fresh angles. 

People skilled in lateral thinking are often adept at generating innovative solutions . Many fields, especially those requiring innovation and creativity, value this skill.

Lateral thinking often aligns with intelligence distinct from traditional measures like IQ. Intelligence manifests in various forms, and lateral thinking showcases creative, problem-solving intelligence. Lateral thinkers view things from unique perspectives. They create innovative ideas and link unrelated concepts. This ability marks an essential aspect of creative intelligence. 

This video discusses problem redefinition and negotiation in real-world scenarios. Traditional intelligence focuses on finding a single right solution using given information. But lateral thinking is like solving real-world problems. This approach holds significant value in fields that demand innovation and creative problem-solving. Here, Professor Alan Dix discusses 

While different from traditional logical thinking, lateral thinking has its logic. It’s not illogical or random. Instead, it follows a distinct reasoning that prioritizes creativity and innovation. Traditional logic is linear and sequential. It focuses on reaching conclusions based on existing knowledge and facts. 

Lateral thinking involves looking at problems from new angles and making unexpected connections. Lateral thinking is a creative way of problem-solving. It can help you find unique and practical solutions. Lateral thinking is a powerful tool when conventional logic doesn't work. Check out this video to learn about different types of creativity and what can get in the way of being creative.

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Lateral thinking and brainstorming are similar yet different. Lateral thinking helps solve problems using creative and unconventional approaches. It breaks away from traditional methods.

Brainstorming is a group activity where people contribute ideas without judgment to solve a problem. It generates creative solutions.

Lateral thinking can be a solitary or group activity and it focuses on thinking differently. It's a specific approach to problem-solving that emphasizes creativity.

Lateral thinking is crucial because it fosters creativity and innovation. It allows you to explore new ideas and solutions that conventional, linear thinking might not reveal. Lateral thinking helps adapt to new challenges and situations. It encourages looking at problems from multiple perspectives. This leads to more comprehensive and sometimes unexpected solutions. This type of thinking is crucial in innovative fields like business, technology, and design. 

Lateral thinking breaks from traditional thought patterns and contributes to advancements and breakthroughs. It enhances problem-solving skills and promotes a more dynamic approach to challenges.

Yes, lateral thinking is a form of divergent thinking . Divergent thinking is about spontaneously generating diverse ideas or solutions to a problem. Lateral thinking, a term coined by Edward de Bono, is a specific kind of divergent thinking. It looks at problems from new and unusual angles and seeks innovative solutions outside conventions. 

Divergent thinking is a broader concept encompassing various methods of generating creative ideas. Lateral thinking focuses more on breaking conventional patterns and thinking beyond the norm. Both are key in creative processes, encouraging broad exploration of possibilities.

You can take the creativity course featuring lateral thinking to learn more about lateral thinking. This course would be a more in-depth and interactive way to learn. The course will also help develop your lateral thinking skills through practical applications.

Literature on Lateral Thinking

Here’s the entire UX literature on Lateral Thinking by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about Lateral Thinking

Take a deep dive into Lateral Thinking with our course Creativity: Methods to Design Better Products and Services .

The overall goal of this course is to help you design better products, services and experiences by helping you and your team develop innovative and useful solutions. You’ll learn a human-focused, creative design process.

We’re going to show you what creativity is as well as a wealth of ideation methods ―both for generating new ideas and for developing your ideas further. You’ll learn skills and step-by-step methods you can use throughout the entire creative process. We’ll supply you with lots of templates and guides so by the end of the course you’ll have lots of hands-on methods you can use for your and your team’s ideation sessions. You’re also going to learn how to plan and time-manage a creative process effectively.

Most of us need to be creative in our work regardless of if we design user interfaces, write content for a website, work out appropriate workflows for an organization or program new algorithms for system backend. However, we all get those times when the creative step, which we so desperately need, simply does not come. That can seem scary—but trust us when we say that anyone can learn how to be creative­ on demand . This course will teach you ways to break the impasse of the empty page. We'll teach you methods which will help you find novel and useful solutions to a particular problem, be it in interaction design, graphics, code or something completely different. It’s not a magic creativity machine, but when you learn to put yourself in this creative mental state, new and exciting things will happen.

In the “Build Your Portfolio: Ideation Project” , you’ll find a series of practical exercises which together form a complete ideation project so you can get your hands dirty right away. If you want to complete these optional exercises, you will get hands-on experience with the methods you learn and in the process you’ll create a case study for your portfolio which you can show your future employer or freelance customers.

Your instructor is Alan Dix . He’s a creativity expert, professor and co-author of the most popular and impactful textbook in the field of Human-Computer Interaction. Alan has worked with creativity for the last 30+ years, and he’ll teach you his favorite techniques as well as show you how to make room for creativity in your everyday work and life.

You earn a verifiable and industry-trusted Course Certificate once you’ve completed the course. You can highlight it on your resume , your LinkedIn profile or your website .

All open-source articles on Lateral Thinking

Learn how to use the worst possible idea method.

Understand the Elements and Thinking Modes that Create Fruitful Ideation Sessions

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Lateral Thinking

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Lateral thinking is a term developed in 1973 by Edward De Bono, with the publication of his book Lateral thinking: creativity step by step .

Lateral thinking involves looking at a situation or problem from a unique or unexpected point of view .

Using Lateral Thinking

De Bono explained that typical problem-solving attempts involve a linear, step by step approach. More creative answers can arrive from taking a step “sideways” to re-examine a situation or problem from an entirely different and more creative viewpoint.

Imagine that your family arrives home from a weekend trip to find Mom’s favorite vase broken on the floor beside the dining room table. Close examination shows that the family cat’s paw prints are clearly visible on the tabletop.

The logical assumption would be that the cat was walking around on the table and had knocked the vase to the floor. But that is a linear assumption. What if the sequence of events was different? A lateral thinker might consider that the vase broke first, and then the cat jumped onto the table. What could have caused that to happen? Perhaps a small earthquake had occurred while the family was out of town, and the chaos caused by the trembling floor, the odd noises, and the crashing vase had caused the cat to jump onto the furniture? It is a possible answer!

De Bono suggests that lateral thinking is necessary for coming up with solutions that aren’t so straightforward. It is easy to see from the example above that lateral thinking comes into play when solving crimes. Lawyers and detectives do employ lateral thinking when attempting to solve crimes because the sequence of events is often not as straightforward it first appears to be.

Students can find that lateral thinking is an especially useful technique for creative arts. When writing a short story, for example, lateral thinking would be an effective tool for coming up with unexpected twists and turns in a plot.

Lateral thinking is also a skill that researchers use when evaluating evidence or interpreting sources.

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Definition of Lateral Thinking

Lateral Thinking is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes thinking outside the box and exploring unconventional solutions. It involves breaking away from traditional linear thinking patterns and adopting a more creative and flexible mindset.

Characteristics of Lateral Thinking

• Non-linear: Lateral thinking encourages free-flowing, imaginative, and nonlinear thoughts to discover new possibilities and perspectives.
• Explorative: It promotes exploration of alternative ideas, often taking unexpected paths to find innovative solutions.
• Challenging assumptions: Lateral thinking challenges the assumptions and beliefs that may limit problem-solving by encouraging individuals to question established norms.
• Out-of-the-box: It focuses on generating fresh ideas and unconventional approaches by breaking away from conventional and predictable thinking methods.
• Provocative: Lateral thinking employs provocative techniques, such as random stimuli or provoking questions, to stimulate creativity and trigger new ways of thinking.
• Flexible: This approach encourages flexibility in considering multiple viewpoints and possibilities, enabling adaptation to changing circumstances.
• Iterative: It often involves multiple iterations, refining ideas and building upon previous solutions to evolve towards breakthrough ideas.

Applications of Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking finds applications across various domains, including:

• Innovation and Creativity: Lateral thinking is invaluable for generating fresh ideas, fostering creativity, and overcoming mental blocks that hinder innovation.
• Complex Problem Solving: It helps in tackling complex problems by approaching them from different angles, exploring unconventional solutions, and breaking down assumptions.
• Design and Product Development: Lateral thinking allows designers and developers to approach product design from unique perspectives, leading to innovative and user-centric solutions.
• Marketing and Advertising: It aids in developing attention-grabbing and effective marketing campaigns by employing inventive and out-of-the-ordinary strategies.
• Business Strategy: Lateral thinking assists in creating strategic plans, identifying new market opportunities, and navigating unforeseen challenges in a dynamic business environment.
• Personal Development: It enhances individual creativity, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, allowing personal growth and development.

Unsolved Mysteries: Problem-Solving with Lateral Thinking

Four lateral thinking techniques to help you get “outside the box”.

Have you ever encountered an unsolvable problem? One where, no matter how much you pound on it, the solution never presents itself?

This reminds me of an old TV show, Unsolved Mysteries (recently rebooted by Netflix). Over some dramatic theme music, we would see re-enactments of mysterious events, such as people disappearing, cars being shot, and other sensational incidents, followed by the host asking viewers to help solve this seemingly unsolvable mystery.

Sometimes you can turn to others for help in solving a mystery, but often you have to figure it out yourself. When you don’t have Robert Stack (one of the hosts of Unsolved Mysteries ) to call on, try changing your approach and use lateral thinking .

What Is Lateral Thinking?

Lateral thinking foregoes the usual step-by-step approach to problem-solving and instead uses indirect and creative approaches to come up with solutions that aren’t immediately obvious. In essence, it encourages you to think creatively, write down any ideas you come up with no matter how outlandish, and access different parts of your brain to help you solve a problem. It’s a different take on “out-of-the-box” thinking.

I ran into an unsolvable problem recently while working on a database conversion project. No matter what I did, the new database refused to connect to the system. I used all the tried-and-true methods to solve the issue — checked my steps, reached out to co-workers — but the problem remained unsolved. I finally turned to lateral thinking to come up with new solutions.

I took out a piece of paper and drew a picture of the database and the system, and left space between them. In the space, I brainstormed a variety of ways — some of them pretty out there — to get the database and the system to talk to each other. The emphasis was on coming up with ideas and not worrying about issues with implementing them. From there, I circled the ones I wanted to try. This led to more thinking, and eventually I solved the problem. The solution seems obvious now, but at the time, it was a deep mystery to me.

Lateral Thinking Techniques

Edward de Bono, who originated the concept of lateral thinking, lists four techniques 1 for helping develop this ability:

• Awareness . Being aware of how you process information is the first step to improving your lateral thinking.
• Random stimulation. Rather than shut out outside influences, allow intrusions to help encourage your creativity.
• Alternatives. Even if there’s a perfectly obvious solution, sometimes it helps to put it aside and come up with alternative approaches.
• Alteration. Break down relationships between elements, deny things you take for granted, and really challenge the elements of a problem. This can help to produce new solutions to the problem.

The next time you encounter an unsolvable mystery, try lateral thinking. Ask yourself, how will you apply this technique to help you solve a problem? How can you use the four techniques to literally think outside the box?

1 Information Processing and New Ideas — Lateral and Vertical Thinking . Edward de Bono, 1969

Further Reading:

• Lateral Thinking ( https://www.edwddebono.com/lateral-thinking )
• The most undervalued skill? Lateral thinking. ( https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/lateral-thinking )
• The Top Ten Lateral Thinking Problems . ( https://www.destination-innovation.com/the-top-ten-lateral-thinking-puzzles/ )
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2 Responses

Great blog, Walter! The ability to look at a problem from more than one perspective is so important. Also challenging ourselves and others to push through, as you did, on a problem that seems unsolvable. Thank you for this challenge. I’m looking forward to checking out the further reading suggestions, too.

Excellent. I have myself tried lateral thinking in hospital management, successfully. But, since we have never been taught anything other than vertical thinking since childhood, we find it difficult to accept that lateral thinking can be very useful in problem solving.

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Lateral Thinking for Problem-Solving: Find the Haystack!

This article discusses lateral thinking, a problem-solving technique that encourages creative solutions by looking at a problem differently. It explains the role of lateral thinking in problem-solving and how it can be used to find the needle in the haystack.

It encourages creative thinking by challenging traditional ways of thinking and finding solutions and is often used in business and educational settings. The article provides examples of lateral thinking, such as digging a hole and researching cancer, to illustrate the concept. It also discusses the need for lateral thinking when finding the needle in the haystack and how it can help you find it by looking at the problem from a different angle and considering different approaches to solving it.

Introduction

Definition of Lateral Thinking

Overview of problem-solving, lateral thinking and problem-solving, digging a hole.

Problem-solving is an integral part of everyday life. We are constantly presented with problems that require creative solutions. Lateral thinking is a problem-solving technique that can help us find solutions to complex problems. In this article, we will discuss the definition of lateral thinking, its role in problem-solving, and the need for lateral thinking when finding the needle in the haystack.

Lateral thinking is a problem-solving technique that encourages creative solutions to problems. It involves looking at a problem from a different angle and coming up with a solution that is not immediately obvious. It encourages creative thinking by challenging traditional ways of thinking and finding solutions. It is often used in business and educational settings to help people think outside the box and develop new, innovative solutions.

Problem-solving is the process of finding a solution to a problem. It involves analyzing the problem, identifying potential solutions, and evaluating and selecting the best solution. Problem-solving can be done individually or as a group. It is an essential skill for success in many areas of life, such as business, education, and personal relationships.

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The metaphor of digging a hole is often used to illustrate the concept of lateral thinking. If you have been digging a hole in a particular thinking and problem-solving domain for a long time, you have made the hole more profound and comprehensive.

At some point, you may decide to start digging in another location, a lateral location. This is the concept of lateral thinking. It involves looking at the problem from a different angle and coming up with a solution that is not immediately obvious.

Researching Cancer

Another example of lateral thinking is when researching the field of cancer. If you have been focusing on radiation treatment for prostate cancer, you may switch to a different, lateral approach. This could be chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgical therapy. Lateral thinking encourages you to consider different approaches to a problem rather than sticking to the same old methods.

The Needle in the Haystack

Finding the haystack.

The metaphor of the needle in the haystack is often used to illustrate the difficulty of finding a solution to a problem. In this case, the needle is the solution, and the haystack is the problem. Finding the solution requires creative thinking and lateral thinking. Simply looking for the needle is not enough; you must also find the haystack.

Lateral Thinking as a Solution

Lateral thinking can help you find the haystack. It encourages you to look at the problem from a different angle and consider different approaches to solving it. It also encourages you to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. It is important to remember that lateral thinking is not a magic wand but a tool that can help you find the solution.

Conclusion: Lateral thinking is a powerful tool for problem-solving. It encourages creative thinking and helps you find solutions to complex problems. It also helps you find the needle in the haystack by encouraging you to look at the problem differently. Lateral thinking can help you find creative solutions that you may not have considered before.

Imagination is the key to unlocking creative solutions; lateral thinking is the key to finding them. IIENSTITU

What is lateral thinking and how can it be used to solve problems?

Lateral thinking is a problem-solving approach that encourages creativity and divergence from conventional solutions. It involves looking at a problem from different angles, questioning assumptions, and seeking to identify non-linear solutions. It is a valuable tool for problem-solving, as it enables us to find new ways of looking at the same problem and uncovering solutions that may not have been considered previously.

Edward de Bono first coined the term lateral thinking in 1967; it has become an essential part of problem-solving. It is based on the idea that there may be multiple solutions to a problem and that we should be open to exploring unusual or unconventional ideas. It is often used to break out of the “box” of conventional problem-solving and to open up new possibilities.

Lateral thinking can be applied to any problem-solving situation, from personal to business challenges. It involves looking at the problem from different perspectives, questioning assumptions, and searching for solutions outside the standard “box.” It encourages divergent thinking and encourages us to think “outside the box”.

Several techniques can be used to apply lateral thinking to problem-solving. These include brainstorming, mind mapping, and forcing relationships. Brainstorming involves coming up with as many ideas as possible without judging them and then narrowing them down to the best solutions. Mind mapping involves visualizing the problem and looking for ways to connect the different elements. Forcing relationships involves forcing relationships between elements to uncover new solutions.

Lateral thinking can be a powerful tool for problem-solving. It encourages us to think outside the box and develop creative solutions. It can be used in any problem-solving situation, from personal to business challenges. By applying these techniques, we can uncover new solutions and possibilities.

What are the benefits of using lateral thinking for problem-solving?

Lateral thinking is a problem-solving method that encourages creative and unconventional solutions to problems. It is a valuable tool that can be used to help think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. This article will discuss the benefits of using lateral thinking for problem-solving.

One of the main benefits of using lateral thinking for problem-solving is that it encourages creative and innovative solutions. By challenging the traditional ways of thinking and approaching problems, lateral thinking allows for a more excellent range of potential solutions. Furthermore, lateral thinking encourages creativity, which can be beneficial in many aspects of life.

Another advantage of using lateral thinking for problem-solving is that it can help to break down complex problems into more straightforward tasks. Breaking down a problem into smaller components makes it easier to identify the underlying cause and develop a more effective solution. Furthermore, lateral thinking can also help identify potential solutions that may not have been considered.

In addition, lateral thinking can help reduce the time required to come up with a solution. Considering a range of potential solutions can lead to a more efficient problem-solving process. Furthermore, lateral thinking can help to identify the most effective solution in a shorter amount of time.

Finally, lateral thinking can help to foster collaboration and teamwork. By considering a range of potential solutions, it can be easier to identify which solution is the most effective, leading to a better outcome. Furthermore, lateral thinking can help to stimulate discussion among team members and lead to a more productive problem-solving process.

In conclusion, lateral thinking can be a valuable tool for problem-solving. It encourages creative and innovative solutions, helps to break down complex problems into more straightforward tasks, reduces the amount of time required to come up with a solution, and fosters collaboration and teamwork. Therefore, it is a valuable tool that can be used to help solve complex problems.

How can lateral thinking help to find the needle in the haystack?

Lateral thinking is a problem-solving technique involving thinking outside the box to find creative solutions to complex problems. It is often used to find the proverbial “needle in the haystack”; that is, to find a solution to a problem when all other avenues have been exhausted. In this article, we will explore how lateral thinking can be used to find the needle in the haystack.

At its core, lateral thinking is about asking questions from different perspectives. This can be done by breaking down the problem into its parts and looking for fresh ways to approach it. This could involve exploring the problem differently or looking for connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. By doing this, we can often uncover new solutions and ideas that have gone unnoticed by traditional problem-solving techniques.

For example, when trying to find the needle in the haystack, lateral thinking could involve asking questions like: Are there any patterns in the haystack that could help us identify the needle? Is there a way to use technology to detect the needle? Could we use a magnet to find the needle? We can help uncover hidden solutions that could lead to the needle by asking questions like these.

In addition to asking different questions, lateral thinking encourages us to think creatively. We can use our imagination to develop creative solutions to help us find the needle. For example, we might devise an idea to use a metal detector to find the needle or an algorithm to analyze the haystack and identify patterns that could lead to the needle.

Finally, lateral thinking can help us to look at a problem from a different perspective. This means we can look for new ways to approach the problem and find solutions that we may have overlooked. For example, if we were trying to find the needle in the haystack, we might ask ourselves, “What would a bird see if it were looking for the needle?” We can help uncover creative solutions and ideas that could lead to the needle by asking questions like this.

In conclusion, lateral thinking can be a powerful tool for finding the needle in the haystack. By asking different questions and thinking creatively, we can uncover new solutions and ideas to help us find the needle.

What are the 4 principles of lateral thinking?

Understanding Lateral Thinking Lateral thinking is a problem-solving approach that encourages creative and out-of-the-box solutions. Developed by Edward de Bono in the 1960s, it encompasses four primary principles: recognizing dominant ideas, searching for alternatives, challenging assumptions, and generating innovative solutions. Recognizing Dominant Ideas The first principle emphasizes understanding existing thought patterns and identifying the dominant ideas that govern our way of thinking. By discerning the prevailing perspectives, we can better recognize the limitations they impose and seek to overcome them through alternative means. Searching for Alternatives Secondly, lateral thinking encourages individuals to actively search for multiple alternative solutions instead of settling for the most obvious one. This broadens our understanding of the problem and increases the likelihood of discovering a more effective or creative solution. Challenging Assumptions The third principle involves questioning established assumptions and conventional wisdom. Lateral thinkers do not take existing beliefs and norms for granted; instead, they challenge and scrutinize them, opening up new possibilities and paths of exploration. Generating Innovative Solutions Lastly, the essence of lateral thinking encompasses the creation of innovative and unconventional solutions. By applying the previous principles, lateral thinkers are able to generate unique and out-of-the-box ideas by connecting seemingly unrelated concepts, thus breaking free from traditional mental constraints. In conclusion, lateral thinking principles can greatly expand an individual's problem-solving capacity by promoting creativity and innovation. By recognizing dominant ideas, searching for alternatives, challenging assumptions, and generating innovative solutions, lateral thinkers can overcome conventional limitations and unleash their full intellectual potential.

What are the 5 methods of lateral thinking?

Five Methods of Lateral Thinking **1. Random Entry Method** The random entry method is an essential lateral thinking technique where a seemingly unrelated word or idea is introduced into the problem-solving process. By incorporating this disconnected concept, individuals can break free from conventional thinking patterns and develop innovative solutions. **2. Provocation and Movement** In this strategic approach, intentional provocations are employed to challenge traditional thinking and assumptions. Once a provocative statement has been introduced, individuals move forward by identifying the valuable aspects of the idea, using this innovative perspective to generate unique solutions. **3. Challenge Existing Assumptions** Lateral thinking involves questioning the status quo and examining the underlying assumptions that may hinder creative problem-solving. By challenging these assumptions, individuals can remove constraints and explore alternative perspectives, fostering innovation and adaptability. **4. Concept Extraction** This method focuses on identifying the core concepts of a problem and considering them separately from the prevailing context. By extracting these essential elements, individuals can reconstruct the problem or situation while encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and fostering novel approaches to problem-solving. **5. Alternate Outcomes** The alternate outcomes method encompasses imagining different endings or results for a given situation. By considering various possibilities, individuals can gain new insights and perspectives, helping to facilitate creative thinking and enhanced problem-solving capabilities. In conclusion, lateral thinking constitutes a set of unique techniques to approach problem-solving from unconventional perspectives. By employing methods such as random entry, provocation and movement, challenging assumptions, concept extraction, and alternate outcomes, individuals can break free from traditional thinking patterns and generate innovative solutions. As a result, lateral thinking plays a crucial role in promoting adaptability and fostering creativity in academic and professional settings.

What is lateral thinking for problem-solving?

Understanding Lateral Thinking Lateral thinking for problem-solving is a creative approach that aims to generate innovative ideas and solutions by encouraging the thinker to look beyond conventional paradigms. This method contrasts with linear, logical, or vertical thinking, which focuses on progressing systematically and sequentially toward a solution. The Power of Divergent Thinking In lateral thinking, divergence is paramount. Individuals are encouraged to explore various possibilities, examining multiple alternatives, and generating unconventional ideas. Divergent thinking empowers individuals to challenge traditional assumptions, enhancing their ability to find innovative solutions tailored to the unique circumstances of a given problem. The Role of Provocation Provocation is a crucial technique in lateral thinking. It involves intentionally introducing an outrageous or irrational idea to disrupt established patterns, thereby opening the door for novel perspectives. Through provocation, individuals and teams are nudged away from their comfort zones and invited to examine issues from a fresh standpoint, allowing new ideas to flourish. Brainstorming and Ideation Brainstorming is an essential tool for encouraging lateral thinking. In a brainstorming session, participants are encouraged to propose as many ideas as possible, regardless of their perceived feasibility. The main goal is to create an open and supportive environment where individuals are free to express their thoughts without fear of judgment or criticism, thus fostering the development of original concepts. Random Input Technique One particularly effective lateral thinking technique is the random input method, where individuals incorporate unrelated elements into the problem-solving process. By juxtaposing disparate concepts or objects, practitioners can establish previously unseen connections, uncover hidden patterns, and gain new insights instrumental in resolving complex issues. In Conclusion Lateral thinking is a powerful tool for problem-solving, allowing individuals and teams to break free from established mindsets and explore diverse avenues. By embracing divergence, provocation, brainstorming, and random input, lateral thinkers can cultivate the innovative and flexible perspectives necessary for tackling complex challenges in an ever-evolving world.

What is an example of lateral thinking problem-solving?

Example of Lateral Thinking Problem-Solving Application in Everyday Life An excellent example of lateral thinking problem-solving is the 'Nine Dots Problem.' This problem presents a scenario where you are asked to connect nine dots, arranged in a square grid of three rows and three columns, using only four continuous straight lines without lifting your pen or retracing any line. The problem essentially requires a change in perception and a creative approach to finding the solution. Overcoming Perceptual Boundaries The natural tendency when approaching this problem is to stay within the boundaries of the square formed by the nine dots. However, this approach proves unsuccessful in achieving the desired outcome. The lateral thinking required to solve the problem involves breaking mental constraints and extending the lines beyond the perceived boundaries. This demonstrates the importance of overcoming perceptual boundaries while employing lateral thinking techniques. Exploring Unconventional Approaches By extending the lines beyond the boundaries of the square, an individual explores unconventional approaches that might seem counterintuitive initially. The solution necessitates drawing three lines across the nine dots that go beyond the boundaries of the square and then a fourth line that connects the remaining dots. This method showcases the effectiveness of exploring unconventional approaches for problem-solving using lateral thinking skills. Developing Cognitive Flexibility Applying lateral thinking to the Nine Dots Problem allows individuals to develop cognitive flexibility. The ability to adapt and shift one's problem-solving perspective is an essential skill in the constantly changing landscape of the modern world. By approaching problems from different angles and questioning conventional wisdom, individuals become better equipped to manage complex and convoluted situations that require innovative solutions. Enhancing Problem Solving Techniques In conclusion, the Nine Dots Problem provides a clear illustration of lateral thinking problem-solving. By overcoming perceptual boundaries, exploring unconventional approaches, and developing cognitive flexibility, this problem-solving technique enhances the ability to tackle intricate and daunting challenges with innovative and creative solutions. Embracing lateral thinking fosters a mindset that enhances problem-solving techniques and leads to more effective outcomes in both personal and professional spheres.

How can one develop a strong sense of lateral thinking to enhance problem-solving skills?

Cultivating Lateral Thinking Lateral thinking, a term coined by Edward de Bono, refers to a creative problem-solving technique that focuses on generating unique and innovative solutions through unconventional thinking. To develop a strong sense of lateral thinking and thereby enhance problem-solving skills, a variety of cognitive strategies can be employed. Brainstorming Diverse Ideas One effective method to boost lateral thinking is brainstorming, a practice that encourages idea generation across a wide range of perspectives without judgment. This process helps break free of linear thinking patterns and pushes the mind to explore new possibilities that could lead to unexpected outcomes. Using Analogies and Metaphors Analogies and metaphors are powerful tools for lateral thinking, as they help shift the focus from the immediate problem to analogous situations. This mental shift enables the exploration of similarities and differences between the problem and the analogy, often resulting in novel insights and approaches to the problem at hand. Adopting Beginner's Mind Embracing a beginner's mindset can aid in lateral thinking by promoting curiosity, openness, and a willingness to question assumptions. This mindset encourages individuals to approach problems with fresh eyes, free from the constraints of prior knowledge and preconceived notions that could otherwise impede creative thinking. Thinking in Reverse Reverse thinking or counterfactual reasoning turns a problem on its head by considering what should be done to achieve the opposite outcome. This approach stimulates lateral thinking by challenging the brain to recognize alternative avenues that may have been missed during traditional problem-solving practices. Assuming Constraints Introducing artificial constraints within the problem-solving process can foster lateral thinking by forcing the mind to consider alternative paths toward a solution. Limitations often spark creativity, as they require overcoming obstacles and exploring innovative approaches in order to reach a desired outcome. Connecting Unrelated Ideas Lastly, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or disciplines can lead to new perspectives and solutions. By actively pursuing such connections, one trains the brain to think laterally and uncover new ways of approaching problems. In conclusion, a strong sense of lateral thinking can be developed through various cognitive strategies, including brainstorming, using analogies, adopting a beginner's mindset, thinking in reverse, applying constraints, and connecting unrelated ideas. By incorporating these techniques into daily life, one can enhance problem-solving skills and foster creative thinking that pushes beyond conventional methods.

What is the role of lateral thinking in the modern problem-solving process?

The Role of Lateral Thinking Lateral thinking plays a crucial role in modern problem-solving processes by enhancing creativity and encouraging innovative approaches. It allows individuals to shift their perspective and view problems from different angles, leading to the generation of unique and effective solutions. Thinking Beyond Traditional Boundaries Lateral thinking, developed by Edward de Bono, is crucial for finding alternative solutions to complex problems, as it encourages looking beyond the known boundaries. This type of thinking helps break away from conventional patterns and leads to the formulation of inventive ideas that would not be discovered through traditional analytical methods. Promoting Creativity and Innovation By encouraging the exploration of alternative ideas, lateral thinking contributes significantly to enhancing creativity and innovation. Employing unconventional approaches, challenging assumptions, and considering seemingly unrelated factors results in new ideas and solutions. Consequently, lateral thinkers are often better equipped to handle complex problems in a rapidly changing world. Application in Various Fields The importance of lateral thinking is reflected in its application across various fields. For example, scientists utilize this approach to drive advancements in technology, while businesses employ it to develop unique products or services. Additionally, educators often incorporate lateral thinking techniques to foster students' creativity and problem-solving skills. Overcoming Limitations of Linear Thinking Linear thinking, the process of solving problems sequentially and logically, often leads to predictable solutions. While this approach has its merits, it can limit the ability to develop creative solutions. Lateral thinking enables problem-solvers to transcend these limitations and generate more unconventional ideas by encouraging non-linear, flexible, and divergent thinking processes. In conclusion, lateral thinking offers significant benefits in the modern problem-solving process by promoting creativity, innovation, and the ability to tackle complex issues from various perspectives. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected and multidisciplinary, incorporating lateral thinking into problem-solving will continue to be essential for driving progress and staying competitive in various fields.

What are the 4 techniques for lateral thinking?

**Lateral Thinking Techniques** Lateral thinking, coined by Edward de Bono in 1967, refers to the process of generating innovative ideas by approaching problems from unique perspectives. To foster lateral thinking, researchers have identified four primary techniques: challenging assumptions, generating alternatives, searching for analogies, and random stimulation. **Challenging Assumptions** The first technique entails questioning and reevaluating established knowledge or beliefs. It encourages individuals to examine their preconceived ideas and to consider alternative perspectives. By challenging assumptions, individuals can break the constraints of traditional thinking, enabling them to identify innovative solutions to complex problems. **Generating Alternatives** Secondly, rather than settling for a single solution, lateral thinkers are encouraged to generate multiple possible solutions to tackle a given problem. By exploring various alternatives, lateral thinkers can evaluate the merits and drawbacks of each option, increasing the likelihood of identifying an optimal solution. This technique also fosters creativity and flexibility, essential traits for problem-solving. **Searching for Analogies** The third technique involves drawing parallels between seemingly unrelated contexts. Lateral thinkers can use analogies to transfer insights, solutions, or knowledge from one domain to another. This technique can yield innovative ideas that would not have been discovered if the problem were analyzed within its original context. **Random Stimulation** Lastly, random stimulation supports lateral thinking by providing an unexpected starting point for problem-solving. By introducing a random word, concept, or idea, individuals are forced to think outside their typical thought patterns, leading to novel connections and insights. Random stimulation can be achieved through various techniques, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or using random word generators. In conclusion, the four techniques for lateral thinking – challenging assumptions, generating alternatives, searching for analogies, and random stimulation – serve as invaluable tools for fostering creativity and innovation. By employing these techniques, individuals and organizations can develop unconventional solutions to complex problems, ultimately contributing to their success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Defining Lateral Thinking Problem-Solving Lateral thinking is an unconventional approach to problem-solving that requires looking at a given issue from different angles or perspectives. By doing so, a person may discover unique and innovative solutions that are not possible through conventional linear thinking. Example of Lateral Thinking in Action A classic example of lateral thinking problem-solving is the 'nine-dot puzzle,' also known as the 'thinking-outside-the-box' puzzle. In this problem, a person is presented with nine dots arranged in a square grid and asked to connect all of the dots using only four straight lines without lifting the pen off the paper. Initial Constraints and Assumptions The challenge lies in breaking the perceived constraints and assumptions associated with the problem, which initially leads many people to think that the solution must be contained within the boundaries of the square grid formed by the nine dots. Overcoming Constraints Through Lateral Thinking Utilizing lateral thinking, one can overcome these constraints by questioning why the lines must end at the boundaries of the square grid. By allowing the lines to extend beyond the borders of the grid, it is possible to connect all nine dots using exactly four straight lines without lifting the pen off the paper. This solution exemplifies the core concept of lateral thinking - breaking free of limiting assumptions to uncover unique and innovative solutions. Real-world Application Lateral thinking problem-solving techniques can be applied in various real-world situations. For example, business managers can use such strategies to address tough organizational challenges, effectively utilizing resources, and increasing their company's competitive advantage. By embracing unconventional approaches, individuals and organizations can often find innovative solutions that bring significant and transformative impact. In conclusion, lateral thinking problem-solving involves challenging conventional thought patterns and exploring alternative solutions that may not initially appear logical. The nine-dot puzzle is a classic example of such a scenario where adopting lateral thinking principles can result in innovative and effective solutions. Lateral thinking is a valuable skill that can be applied in numerous real-world situations, driving advancements in various fields and industries.

What is lateral thinking in the problem-solving process?

Understanding Lateral Thinking Lateral thinking is a creative approach to problem-solving that involves considering diverse perspectives, synthesizing novel connections, and challenging traditional paradigms. In contrast to vertical thinking, which follows linear and logical patterns, lateral thinking provokes cognitive shifts by exploring unconventional ideas and presenting unexpected solutions. Role in Problem-Solving Lateral thinking plays a critical role in breaking away from rigid structures, enabling problem-solvers to generate innovative ideas and discover alternative paths. By disregarding preconceptions and embracing ambiguity, individuals and teams can expand their collective imaginative capacity and unlock new possibilities. Techniques for Lateral Thinking Various techniques can facilitate lateral thinking in the problem-solving process. These include provocations, random entry, concept mapping, and scenario planning. Practicing these methods can help individuals develop mental agility, question assumptions, and overcome cognitive biases. - Provocations: Deliberately introduce challenging or contradictory ideas to promote fresh thinking and stimulate novel associations. - Random entry: Identify unrelated concepts and explore the connections between them, often leading to unexpected insights. - Concept mapping: Visually represent relationships between seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts to reveal hidden patterns and links. - Scenario planning: Imagine a range of potential futures and consider how different variables might affect the outcome, fostering flexibility and adaptability in the decision-making process. Benefits of Lateral Thinking Utilizing lateral thinking in problem-solving can yield numerous benefits. Notably, this approach encourages adaptive thinking, fosters collaboration, and reduces mental rigidity. By cultivating an open-minded and flexible mindset, individuals and organizations can adapt to dynamic situations, cross-pollinate ideas across disciplines, and discover transformative solutions. In conclusion, lateral thinking is an essential component of the problem-solving process that promotes creativity and originality. By applying these techniques and adopting a curious and positive attitude, problem-solvers can better navigate complex challenges and uncover the innovative solutions necessary to drive progress and success in various fields.

What are the key differences between lateral thinking and traditional problem-solving approaches?

Divergent Nature of Lateral Thinking The primary difference between lateral thinking and traditional problem-solving approaches lies in their divergent nature. Lateral thinking encourages generating multiple ideas, even if they might seem unrelated to the problem at hand. This process fosters creativity and originality by allowing for unconventional solutions without restricting oneself to predetermined categories or rules. Rigid Framework of Traditional Problem-Solving Contrastingly, traditional problem-solving approaches tend to follow a more rigid framework, involving clearly defined steps and logical thinking. Such a systematic process adheres to established guidelines and known principles, limiting the scope for creative exploration. Consequently, this can lead to less innovative results, as the problem is resolved through familiar solutions that adhere to predetermined boundaries. Breaking Patterns with Lateral Thinking Another key difference between lateral thinking and traditional problem-solving approaches is the former's emphasis on breaking patterns and reframing perspectives. Lateral thinking thrives in challenging conventional wisdom, reformulating problems, and recognizing novel connections to facilitate creative thinking. In doing so, it encourages individuals to venture beyond the realms of existing assumptions, offering fresh insights and better alternatives. Analytical Focus in Traditional Approaches However, traditional problem-solving methods typically center on an analytical focus, dissecting the issue into manageable components, and employing logical reasoning to reach the desired outcome. While methodical analysis has its merits, it can sometimes impede creative thinking, rendering the approach less effective in addressing complex, ambiguous, or unprecedented problems that demand unconventional solutions. Importance of Context Finally, the efficacy of lateral thinking and traditional problem-solving approaches largely depends on the context of the problem. Lateral thinking proves exceptionally advantageous in addressing ill-defined, novel, or highly complex problems that demand creativity and adaptability. Conversely, traditional problem-solving methods are well-suited for well-structured, process-driven problems where established principles and logic-based reasoning can deliver precise solutions. In conclusion, the key differences between lateral thinking and traditional problem-solving approaches stem from their divergent nature, varying methodologies, and context-dependency. Combining both approaches can foster a comprehensive, multidimensional problem-solving process, enabling the resolution of diverse challenges by leveraging the strengths of lateral thinking and traditional methods.

How does the use of lateral thinking impact decision-making processes in various fields such as business, science, and education?

Impact on Business Decision-Making The use of lateral thinking in business decision-making fosters innovation by challenging conventional wisdom and assumptions. This creative problem-solving approach empowers organizations to generate novel solutions, stay competitive, and adapt to changing market conditions. By encouraging divergent thinking, lateral thinking enhances decision-making by taking into account multiple perspectives, thus reducing the risk of potential blind spots and biases. As a result, business leaders can make more informed and effective decisions that lead to better outcomes. Influence on Scientific Endeavors In the realm of science, lateral thinking plays an essential role in advancing knowledge and driving new discoveries. The process of lateral thinking encourages scientists to think beyond the traditional boundaries of their fields and explore different possibilities. This fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas, enabling researchers to break new ground and challenge the status quo. Moreover, lateral thinking allows scientists to consider alternative hypotheses, thereby strengthening the deductive reasoning process and reducing the likelihood of confirmation bias. Ultimately, this leads to more accurate and comprehensive results in the scientific decision-making process. Contribution to Educational Practices Lateral thinking also has significant implications for education, as it promotes critical thinking and cultivates a culture of lifelong learning among students. By incorporating lateral thinking techniques into teaching practices, educators can help students develop flexible, adaptive, and divergent thinking skills essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world. This involves encouraging learners to question assumptions, analyze different perspectives, and tackle problems from various angles. In turn, this enriches the decision-making process in education as students become more adept at evaluating information, considering alternatives, and making well-rounded choices – both inside and outside the classroom.

How can one encourage and foster an environment that supports lateral thinking in a team or organizational setting?

Fostering an Environment for Lateral Thinking To encourage and foster an environment that supports lateral thinking in a team or organizational setting, several key strategies and best practices should be put in place. Culture of Openness and Collaboration Firstly, cultivating a culture of openness and collaboration is essential, as it enables team members to feel comfortable expressing new ideas and making connections between seemingly unrelated subjects. This can be achieved by creating safe spaces for brainstorming, promoting active listening, and valuing all contributions equally. Encouraging Diverse Perspectives Another important aspect is encouraging diverse perspectives within the organization. A mix of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints can lead to more creative problem-solving and innovative thinking. This can be done by actively recruiting and promoting employees from varying industries, cultures, and disciplines. Embracing Failure and Iteration Embracing failure and iteration is critical, as well. Granting employees the freedom and flexibility to test out new ideas without fear of repercussions will embolden them to think outside the box more frequently. Celebrating failures as learning opportunities will ensure that your team is continuously evolving and improving. Providing Training and Tools To support lateral thinking, organizations should provide training and tools that specifically target creative thinking and problem-solving. This may include workshops, seminars, or online training programs that teach techniques such as mind mapping or idea-generation exercises. In addition, employees should be given access to resources and technologies that help facilitate collaboration and innovation. Setting aside Dedicated Time for Lateral Thinking Setting aside dedicated time for lateral thinking and brainstorming sessions is a practical way to ensure that these practices become an integral part of the work routine. Scheduling regular meetings or workshops focused on exploring new ideas can help to establish a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Recognizing and Rewarding Creativity Lastly, organizations must recognize and reward creativity in order to foster an environment that encourages lateral thinking. By acknowledging and celebrating innovative ideas, leaders can demonstrate their commitment to a culture of creative problem-solving and encourage continued exploration and experimentation. In conclusion, fostering an environment that supports lateral thinking requires an intentional effort to establish a culture of openness and collaboration, embrace diverse perspectives, and provide resources and recognition that enable and incentivize creative thinking. By implementing these best practices, organizations can drive innovation, improve problem-solving, and stay ahead in a competitive marketplace.

What is the process of applying lateral thinking techniques to real-world problems and what benefits can be expected?

Application Process for Lateral Thinking Techniques The process of applying lateral thinking techniques to real-world problems begins with the identification of the issue at hand, followed by the gathering of relevant information. Next, one should challenge the preconceived notions and assumptions surrounding the problem, allowing new perspectives to emerge. Generating Alternative Solutions Instead of pursuing linear and conventional approaches, an individual employing lateral thinking techniques should engage in creative brainstorming sessions to generate multiple alternative solutions. This can be facilitated by employing techniques such as analogies, random input, or related words. Logical Evaluation and Selection After generating numerous ideas, the individual must evaluate and select the most practical, logical, and effective solution. This requires critical analysis, comparison, and prioritization of the various alternatives, ensuring that the final choice addresses the problem efficiently. Implementation and Follow-up Upon selecting the most suitable solution, it is crucial to develop an action plan and execute it diligently. Monitoring the results of the implemented solution and adjusting it accordingly ensures continuous improvement and problem resolution. Expected Benefits of Lateral Thinking Utilization of lateral thinking techniques offers numerous benefits in addressing real-world problems. Firstly, it helps individuals to break away from entrenched thought patterns and look beyond the obvious solutions, thus fostering creativity and innovation. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills Lateral thinking encourages the development of enhanced problem-solving skills, as it enables individuals to consider multiple angles and possibilities before arriving at a solution. This adaptive and flexible approach encourages out-of-the-box thinking, improving one's ability to tackle diverse issues. Increased Confidence and Adaptability By challenging conventional viewpoints and embracing new ideas, individuals enhance their self-confidence and adaptability in dealing with complex and unforeseen circumstances. Moreover, lateral thinking techniques foster collaboration and more effective communication, as they inspire people to be receptive to one another's thoughts and ideas. In summary, applying lateral thinking techniques to real-world problems involves a creative and systematic process that helps individuals generate innovative, effective solutions. By adopting such an approach, one can expect to develop improved problem-solving skills, increased confidence, and enhanced adaptability, all of which are essential for tackling the challenges of today's rapidly-evolving world.

What are some effective strategies for incorporating lateral thinking into educational curricula and fostering creative problem-solving skills among students?

**Lateral Thinking Strategies in Education** Incorporating lateral thinking strategies into educational curricula offers numerous benefits for fostering creative problem-solving skills among students. One effective approach involves implementing brainstorming activities that allow students to think divergently and explore multiple solutions to a given problem. This method encourages open dialogue and collaboration among peers, stimulating cognitive flexibility and innovation. **Encouraging Diverse Perspectives** Another valuable strategy is promoting exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences, thus enriching students' intellectual growth. Teachers can incorporate multicultural texts and activities in their lesson plans, thereby nurturing empathy and cultural awareness while helping students develop their lateral thinking capabilities. Engaging students in discussions about multiple viewpoints provides opportunities to challenge assumptions and analyze problems from various angles. **Developing Critical Thinking Skills** A core component of lateral thinking is critical thinking skills. Educators can weave Socratic questioning techniques into classroom discussions, pushing students to critically evaluate their beliefs and assumptions. This process encourages students to approach problems analytically, identify potential pitfalls and biases, and create well-reasoned arguments. Consistently applying this method can result in students developing a habit of thinking outside the box. **Integrating Real-World Applications** Leveraging real-world scenarios and applications in educational curricula can significantly enhance students' ability to employ lateral thinking. Addressing real-life challenges in class encourages students to transfer their learning into practical contexts. Furthermore, incorporating interdisciplinary concepts allows students to explore new connections and see problems from different disciplinary lenses, which can stimulate the development of creative problem-solving skills. **Cultivating a Growth Mindset** Lastly, fostering a growth mindset in students is essential for nurturing lateral thinking. Encouraging a mentality that values constant learning and resilience helps students confront challenges with an open mind, build confidence in their creative problem-solving abilities, and develop adaptability in finding multiple solutions. Teachers should emphasize the importance of persistence and learning from failures, equipping students with the tools to handle complex real-world problems. By employing these strategies in educational curricula, educators can create an environment conducive to the development of lateral thinking and creative problem-solving skills among students. Consequently, students will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the world and contribute innovative ideas to society.

Can lateral thinking techniques be adapted and applied effectively across various cultures and industries, and if so, how can this be achieved?

Subheadings: - Lateral Thinking Across Cultures - Application in Diverse Industries - Possible Strategies for Implementation Lateral Thinking Across Cultures Lateral thinking, a method of problem solving that encourages unconventional approaches, can be effectively adapted across diverse cultures. The core principles of this method, including challenging assumptions and generating alternative ideas, can be universally applied to people from various backgrounds. Since different cultures possess unique perspectives, the application of lateral thinking can lead to innovative solutions that may otherwise be overlooked. Application in Diverse Industries Industries such as technology, healthcare, education, and business can also benefit from lateral thinking techniques. By fostering an environment that encourages creative problem-solving, organizations can stand out from their competitors and develop novel approaches to their respective fields. The implementation of lateral thinking across different industries may result in increased efficiency, improved products and services, and more satisfied customers and clients. Possible Strategies for Implementation One way to achieve the successful adaptation of lateral thinking techniques across various cultures and industries is through effective communication. First, practitioners must create an environment where ideas can be freely shared and valued without prejudice or judgment. Second, by incorporating cultural sensitivity and understanding the unique experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, organizations can access untapped sources of creativity. Training workshops tailored to different cultural contexts may be another effective strategy. By considering the unique challenges faced by each culture, these workshops would increase the likelihood of impactful results. Enhanced collaboration, both within and across industries, would encourage the exchange of ideas and foster innovation. In summary, lateral thinking techniques can be adapted and applied effectively across various cultures and industries, resulting in a myriad of benefits. With thoughtful implementation, these strategies can foster innovation, enhance collaboration, and support the development of groundbreaking solutions.

Yu Payne is an American professional who believes in personal growth. After studying The Art & Science of Transformational from Erickson College, she continuously seeks out new trainings to improve herself. She has been producing content for the IIENSTITU Blog since 2021. Her work has been featured on various platforms, including but not limited to: ThriveGlobal, TinyBuddha, and Addicted2Success. Yu aspires to help others reach their full potential and live their best lives.

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Home » What Is Lateral Thinking? Definition and Examples

What Is Lateral Thinking? Definition and Examples

June 15, 2023 max 5min read.

This article covers:

What Is Lateral Thinking?

Benefits of lateral thinking, techniques and strategies for lateral thinking, real-life examples of lateral thinking, tips for developing lateral thinking skills.

Step into the world where imagination knows no bounds, where thinking outside the box takes center stage. Welcome to the kingdom of lateral thinking! It’s a place where creativity and logic intertwine and where the extraordinary thrives. Here, we celebrate unconventional ideas and embrace innovation. Open your mind to new possibilities, explore uncharted territories of thought, and let your imagination soar.

We will cover what lateral thinking means, various techniques and strategies, Benefits, and tips to develop your lateral thinking skills. 

Lateral thinking definition :

Lateral thinking promotes the exploration of alternative possibilities, connections, and solutions. It involves thinking beyond the obvious. In contrast, it considers multiple viewpoints to arrive at unexpected and innovative solutions.

Lateral thinking was coined by Maltese physician and author Edward de Bono in his book “ The Use of Lateral Thinking ,” published in 1967. It refers to a problem-solving approach that involves looking at a situation or challenge from varied perspectives or unconventional angles. The goal of lateral thinking is to break free from traditional linear thinking patterns. The focus is mainly on generating creative and innovative ideas.

Edward de Bono developed lateral thinking as a deliberate technique to enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities. He believed that traditional thinking methods often restrict the range of solutions. They do that by imposing rigid constraints or patterns. Lateral thinking aims to overcome these limitations. It fosters new ideas through random word associations, provocation, and challenging assumptions.

Here are some benefits of lateral thinking:

Creativity and Innovation

Lateral thinking enhances creative thinking skills. This happens mainly by encouraging individuals to explore alternative perspectives and unconventional ideas. It promotes innovative solutions and enables individuals to think outside the box.

Problem-Solving

Lateral thinking helps overcome mental blocks and encourages individuals to approach problems differently. It allows for considering multiple viewpoints and exploring various solutions. All of that leads to more effective problem-solving outcomes.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Lateral thinking cultivates mental flexibility. This enables individuals to adapt to changing situations and find new approaches when faced with challenges. It encourages open-mindedness and the willingness to explore different possibilities. All these skills are precious in today’s rapidly evolving world.

Improved Decision Making

By considering a wider range of options and perspectives, lateral thinking enables individuals to make more informed and well-rounded decisions. It helps to uncover hidden opportunities and risks. All of which you may have overlooked through traditional thinking approaches.

Here are some techniques and strategies commonly used in lateral thinking:

Random Stimulation

This technique introduces random and unrelated elements to stimulate creative thinking. It can include activities such as brainstorming unrelated ideas or drawing connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.

Provocative Questions

Asking unconventional and thought-provoking questions is of utmost importance. It can challenge existing assumptions and encourage innovative thinking. These questions push individuals to explore different angles and generate new ideas.

Reverse Thinking

It involves flipping a problem or situation upside down. After that, consider it from a reverse perspective. By reversing assumptions or perspectives, new insights and possibilities can emerge.

Analogy and Metaphor

Using analogies and metaphors can help create connections between unrelated concepts. This leads to fresh insights and innovative solutions. Relating a problem to something entirely different can reveal hidden patterns or possibilities.

Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual technique to bring together thoughts and ideas. It involves creating a diagram that links various ideas and concepts together. Mind maps encourage non-linear thinking. It also helps explore different associations and connections.

Six Thinking Hats

The Six Thinking Hats technique, developed by Edward de Bono , assigns different “hats” to participants. Each hat represents a different thinking style or perspective. The hats include white (objective information), red (emotions and intuition), black (caution and critical thinking), yellow (optimism and benefits), green (creative and alternative thinking), and blue (overview and process control). 

By adopting different hats, individuals can explore multiple perspectives and generate diverse ideas.

A real-life example of lateral thinking is the creation of the Post-it note. It is a popular and widely used office supply. The story goes that Spencer Silver, a chemist at 3M, was working on developing a super-strong adhesive. He accidentally ended up creating a weak, reusable adhesive. Despite all that, he couldn’t find a practical application for his invention.

Years later, another 3M employee named Art Fry was frustrated with using bookmarks that kept falling out of his choir hymnal. Remembering Silver’s adhesive, Fry saw an opportunity. He realized that the weak adhesive could be used. They could use it to create sticky notes that could be attached and removed from surfaces. All the while without leaving any residue.

Fry and Silver collaborated, combining their ideas to create the iconic Post-it note . The product initially faced skepticism within 3M. The reason was that it didn’t fit into the company’s traditional product lines. 

However, Fry and Silver persisted, demonstrating the usefulness and versatility of the product. Eventually, Post-it notes were introduced to the market. They became a global success. This resulted in revolutionizing office organization and note-taking.

This example demonstrates lateral thinking because it involves approaching a problem from a different angle. It also shows us that making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas is necessary. Rather than focusing solely on developing a strong adhesive, the inventors saw the potential in a weaker adhesive. They found an innovative application for it. All this led to the creation of a highly successful product.

• Pay attention to your environment. Be mindful of the details. Engage your senses and observe things from different perspectives.
• Seek new experiences, and explore different environments. We recommend you expose yourself to diverse stimuli.
• Challenge the status quo and actively seek alternative solutions to problems.
• Break free from your routine and try new approaches.
• Cultivate curiosity by asking unconventional and unexpected questions. This can lead to new insights and spark innovative ideas.
• Approach situations with a sense of wonder and a willingness to explore new possibilities.
• Engage in regular brainstorming sessions, either individually or in groups.
• Surround yourself with people coming from different backgrounds and with diverse expertise.
• Encourage experimentation and risk-taking.
• Believe in your ability to develop and improve your lateral thinking skills.

More like this:

• What is Convergent Thinking? [Definition and Examples]
• What Is Divergent Thinking? [Definition and Examples]
• What Is Design Thinking? [5 Stages and Advantages]
• Difference Between Strategic Thinking and Strategic Planning

The four principles of lateral thinking are:

• Recognition of dominant ideas
• Suspending judgment
• Searching for alternatives
• Creating new patterns

If you often come up with unconventional solutions, make unexpected connections. You may also be questioning assumptions. All of these say that you may possess the traits of a lateral thinker. Embracing creativity and thinking outside the box are key indicators.

Engaging in creative exercises, exposing oneself to diverse perspectives, and asking provocative questions are some factors that promote lateral thinking. Embracing ambiguity, using random stimuli, and fostering a playful and open-minded mindset also contribute to developing lateral thinking skills.

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'Give an example of your lateral thinking.' Tricky graduate interview question

targetjobs editorial team

Last updated: 25 Jan 2023, 13:38

Find out what employers really want when they ask you questions about your ability to think laterally and how lateral-thinking skills are connected to your creativity, use of initiative and problem-solving abilities.

In the stress of a graduate job interview situation it’s easy to be thrown by questions you haven’t prepared for. Here’s a tricky question that might catch you out if you haven’t already thought about it in advance: ‘Can you give us an example of a difficult situation where you had to think laterally to get out of it?’

Short on time? Watch our one-minute guide to lateral thinking

In our video, discover:

• what lateral thinking really means
• an example of lateral thinking
• a technique to best answer the interview question ‘give an example of your lateral thinking’.

Our targetjobs careers expert defines lateral thinking.

What is lateral thinking?

Lateral thinking is the ability to use your imagination to look at a problem in a fresh way and come up with a new solution. Without employees putting lateral thinking skills into practice, companies can’t innovate and create new products – they’re just stuck with doing the same old thing, perhaps more efficiently than before, but they won’t be able to lead the way. Any company that wants to stay ahead of the competition needs to recruit graduates who are capable of lateral thinking.

This skill is highly prized in creative industries such as the media and publishing, and is valued across a range of different industries and professions, including retail, law, management consultancy and IT. Any graduate who takes up a management role is likely to need to draw on lateral thinking skills to solve problems and take forward the work of the team. Lateral thinking can also be assessed using psychometric tests .

Examples of lateral thinking: first, unpick your tricky interview question

‘Can you give us an example of a difficult situation where you had to think laterally to get out of it?’ is actually two questions in one. You need to come up with an example of a difficult situation – a problem or challenge of some kind. Then you need to explain how you thought creatively to come up with a fix or solution – combining problem solving with creativity .

This question is not asking you:

• Are you capable of coming up with a solution to a straightforward logical problem?
• Do you go in for off-the-wall creative daydreaming that has no particular application?

Why are recruiters asking about your ability to solve a problem using lateral thinking?

Your answer will give the employer some insight into the following:

• Can you think in an innovative way?
• Are you capable of coming up with a creative solution to a problem?
• Can you overcome difficulties when the answer isn’t immediately obvious from all the information that is already available and from the way things have been done before?
• How do you cope when you’re up against a challenge you’ve never previously experienced?

Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey with Pathways. Learn and practise a selection of simple yet effective reasoning strategies to take your problem solving to the next level.

How to answer tricky graduate interview questions about lateral thinking

The good thing about being asked about your powers of lateral thinking is that there is, by definition, no one right answer to a problem that has to be solved creatively.

It’s also a lot easier on your nerves to be asked to come up with an example of lateral thinking of your own choice, rather than to be put on the spot by an off-the-wall interview question about how you’d escape from a blender if you were inside it and three inches high, or whatever.

As you prepare for your interview, think about real-life problems that you’ve overcome. Here are some possible examples:

• A difficult customer at work, or disagreement with a landlord.
• A student society you were involved in that was struggling financially.
• A team you were part of that wasn’t doing well, or where there was a conflict that needed resolving.
• A deadline you realised you couldn’t meet.
• Being lost somewhere, mislaying something essential, or having travel problems.
• Running low on cash and needing to come up with a way to make more.
• Needing to find work experience in a profession you are interested in but know little about.

Most real-life problems – especially ones involving other people – call for a creative approach and some lateral thinking. Try to think of situations that were heading for failure until you came up with a new approach that turned them around.

For example, if you’ve been involved with a student society that was struggling financially, a logical solution to the problem might be to seek to cut costs. If you use lateral thinking, however, you might come up with a great new fundraising idea, devise a novel initiative to boost membership, or approach a contact you’ve made through some other means to secure sponsorship.

When you hear about students who have come up with original ways of grabbing employers’ attention, the ruse they’ve used is often testament to their powers of lateral thinking. Careers planning in itself often involves lateral thinking, especially if it’s not immediately obvious to you what you want to do when you graduate.

How can I develop lateral thinking skills?

Lateral thinking may come more naturally to some people than to others. But with practice, this way of thinking can be worked on prior to graduate job interviews.

Practising techniques that challenge you to think in a more creative way can open avenues of thought that a vertical thought process may otherwise close off.

One such technique is to approach a problem by first considering what actions you should not take. This approach can help you to quickly rule out unhelpful ideas that may crop up later and it can be used as a process of elimination to lead yourself to better ideas.

A second ploy that can help you to think of solutions more laterally is to give some consideration to ideas that you would normally filter out straight away. To do this, set yourself a short timer, perhaps ten minutes, and use this time to write down all the ideas that come to mind in the moment that you think of them, before you have a chance to filter. At the end of the timer, read your ideas. Not all of them will be appropriate to the problem. But there may be one or two potential solutions that you otherwise would’ve discarded immediately.

Once you get used to solving problems in different areas of your life using techniques such as these, make a note of examples and reflect on them when you’re preparing for a job interview.

Get help on answering more difficult interview questions with our article on the top nine tough tricky interview questions and answers .

You can practise your answers to tricky interview questions using resources from our partners at Shortlist.Me .

targetjobs editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the targetjobs content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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