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.

Key Elements of Lateral Thinking
Lateral thinking is made up of a number of fundamental elements:

• Check assumptions: all conventional ideas and concepts should be checked and reviewed, and this task should be done with a group of people with an open mind to deal with different environments and situations.
• Asking the right questions: Lateral thinking is fuelled by asking the right questions to find the right solutions to the problem.
• Creativity: this thinking is based on always finding another point of view because direct logic is not useful for solving certain problems.
• Logical thinking: although this thinking is not traditional logical thinking, it is important to define a new logic and deduction based on reasoning. This thinking must be orderly, clear and concise so that everyone in the company can understand it.

Techniques of Lateral Thinking
Edward de Bono proposed four techniques for lateral thinking: awareness, random stimulation, alternatives, and alteration.

• Awareness: De Bono thought we should first cultivate an awareness of how our minds process information. Resisting established patterns is the first step toward greater innovation.
• Random stimulation: Exposure of randomness is an important part of lateral thinking. We normally try to shut out all distractions and focus with our minds on the task at hand, but de Bono argues that letting in a variety of information–by taking a walk, listening to a podcast, having a conversation with a stranger, taking a different route to work–can positively impact our problem-solving process.
• Alternatives: The third technique is to deliberately consider alternative solutions. Maybe you’ve settled on what you think is the perfect answer to your dilemma, but de Bono encourages us to take a bit more time to think of other options. In his view, it’s the only way to truly consider the problem from all angles.
• Alteration: Reversing the relationship between parts of a problem, going in the opposite direction of what’s implied, breaking patterns down into smaller pieces, and translating relationships into analogies and then translating them back are all examples of ways to cultivate an “alteration mindset” while problem solving.

A few other other strategies, according to Phil Lewis at Forbes, include transitional objects, jumping to the wrong answer, subtracting instead of adding, and telling a different story.

• A transitional object is “someone or something embodying certain characteristics or qualities that you can use as inspiration for new ideas.” If you’re having team management problems at work, or student management problems in the classroom, you might look to a historical figure or activist for council (sometimes the mental shift you need to make can be found in the dusty pages of Seneca).
• Jumping to the wrong answer means asking “What should we absolutely not do in this situation?” and then working backwards from there. In a way, it’s like a process of elimination exercise, and can actually be more efficient than beginning more conservatively.
• Subtracting means doing a thought experiment where you imagine abandoning certain practices or asking others to do so. What would happen if you stopped doing A, B, C?
• Telling a different story is about rearranging and reapplying the various parts of archetypal plots such as quest, voyage and return, rebirth, comedy, tragedy, overcoming the monster, and rags to riches. Try reframing where you’re at as a different part of the narrative and see what happens.

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.

Benefits and Blind spots of Lateral Thinking

Benefits

• Perspective: Lateral thinkers can see things that others can’t, which makes you an indispensable part of a team.
• Invention: Lateral thinkers are likely to be high in creativity, leading to an innovative and groundbreaking work style.
• Problem solver: With their ability to reframe challenges in different lights, Lateral Thinkers are highly skilled at seeing solutions hidden to others.

Blind spots

• Indecision: With their skill of identifying multiple options comes an inability to choose a definite path. This could leave Lateral Thinkers in a state of indecision at times.
• Rule-breaker: For Lateral Thinkers rebellion is admirable and romantic, until it’s not: breaking convention can be disruptive and can antagonize more conventional thinkers.
• Heedless: Lateral thinking can breed adventurousness and daring, but occasionally steps over into recklessness if taken too far.