Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking — a term first coined by Edward de Bono in 1967 — refers to a person’s capacity to address problems by imagining solutions that cannot be arrived at via deductive or logical means. Or, to put it in simpler terms: the ability to develop original answers to difficult questions. This is the essence of creativity, and all organizations benefit from it at times of change—when, by definition, traditional solutions are unlikely to get the desired result.

Examples of Lateral Thinking
Today’s workplace has difficult problems to solve. Businesses need to grow and evolve while reducing overhead costs. People need to concentrate while working in more open and collaborative environments. Millennials have different expectations than other generations about how they need to work.

How do we solve these problems? Here are three examples of how lateral thinking helps provide the right answer:

• Example: We need to reduce our real estate costs.
  • Conventional answer: Reduce the rentable square foot per desk ratio. Densify the space by shrinking office and cubicle sizes; doubling-up office occupants; reducing non-desk space like storage rooms, wasted hallway space, and meeting space.
  • Lateral Thinking: Reduce rentable square foot per person ratio.
  • Why? Today’s workspace is significantly more successful when it delivers more shared space, and less dedicated space. Desks sizes shrink, yet they are surrounded by new huddle rooms, enclaves, focus areas, work cafés, and other settings that best support the daily activities of the workforce. By introducing on-site mobility and desk sharing for mobile workers, the square foot per person will be significantly lower than a conventional, densified workplace.
• Example: We need to increase concentration among employees.
  • Conventional answer: Raise cube panel heights, build more enclosed offices, install “Be Quiet” signs on the walls or introduce other similar behavioral policies.
  • Lateral Thinking: Lower panel heights, build quiet and small meeting settings.
  • Why? Lowering panel heights will increase awareness of co-worker proximity. Co-worker sensitivity lowers voice levels, and reduces inconsiderate work behaviors. Creating quiet rooms and focus spaces for onsite use gives people a way to escape noise and distractions without leaving their area. Providing small, nearby meeting areas is a way to enable conversations to move out of personal desk areas.
• Example: We need to meet millennial expectations in the workplace in order to attract and retain top talent.
  • Conventional answer: Provide open desking, free food, and cutting-edge workplace design, including lots of expensive, high-end lighting and innovative imagery.
  • Lateral Thinking: Focus on global improvement and corporate social responsibility, social engagement & personal work/life integration.
  • Why? It is important to focus on elements that delight all generations, not just Gen Y/Millennials, and many people across all generations are focused on seeking positive workplace experiences today. Find ways throughout the workplace to display and communicate how the organization is making the world a better place. Train managers how to create a more social, community-rich environment rather than a competitive environment, and provide the tools and settings that support these behaviors. Introduce flexible work practices and mobile work support so employees, regardless of their age or position, can achieve better work/life integration. Stylish design and appealing amenities are still valuable, but they’re not the end-all-be-all in a healthy, productive workplace.