Lateral ThinkingA book by: Edward De Bono

Presented by: JC M100048 November 2011

Vertical Thinking vs. Lateral Thinking

Vertical Thinking

• Traditional LOGICAL thinking process of Plato, Aristotle and Socrates.• Reductive. Designated to eliminate all but the truth

Lateral Thinking

• Ability to escape from patterns and logic.• Promotes Creativity and Innovativeness.

Vertical Thinking (how our mind processes information)

The behavior of patterning system.

Our mind is an efficient self-organizing information system. To be efficient, it uses patterns.

Disadvantage of Patterns

1. Expectancy2. Familiarity

3. Lack of Choice.

ABCD G H F

H

Disadvantage of Patterns contInued.

4. Blocked by Openness – we continue to follow a pattern because there is nothing in the way.

5. Snap-over – Easier to snap to a new pattern than modiify a new one.

6. Polarizatrion

7. Patterns gets larger – When a very long pattern gets triggered, one continues with this pattern and has no need for further information.

8. Assumptions.

9. Pattern drain off meaning – well established patterns reduces the situation into that pattern.

10. Mistakes – if two different situations started of the same, we will deduce a wrong pattern or conclusion.

11. Cutting Across patterns – (example: in negotiations)

1 2+

1 2 +

5+ 4

3

1 2 +3

1 2 3

4 5

+ 6 =

11. Cutting Across patterns – (example: in negotiations)

1 23

4 5

6

12. Inappropriate Patterns - if one cannot easily identify a pattern, then, rather than be left in a patternless void, one searches around for a clue that will set some pattern.

13. Difficulty in Prediction

14. Importance of sequence of arrival of information

15. Continuity

Other Features of Patterning System:1. Importance of escaping from dominant pattern.

2. Importance of change of entry point.

New products

Stop sales

Sales falling

Increased sales

Reduce price

Bigger Volume

Other Features of Patterning System:3. Importance of Starting at the end rather than the beginning

Techniques

Brainstorming

Use of PO

Principles/TechniquesProblem: Measure the constriction of the tube in point A

3 feet

A

PO word: Spaghetti

Principles1. Recognition of dominant polarizing ideas.

2. Search for different ways of looking at thingsAvoidance devices Why?Rotate Attention – eg. When a man is moved a different

department.Change of Entry Point

3. Realization of rigid control of vertical thinking Delay the use on “no”. Create a rule to avoid using a

dominant word in the meeting (eg profit).

4. Use of chance, provocative methods to introduce discontinuity

Thank you!