If training and application of Edward de Bono’s Lateral Thinking and Six Thinking Hats strategy were to be adopted by American corporations, countless hours of “paralysis by analysis” could be eliminated. The groans are palpable when yet another meeting request arrives in the Outlook Inboxes of mid-level managers on a daily basis. And, while the participants are perpetually extolled to “think outside the box”, it is done so without really giving them the cerebral tools to do so. Even just providing today’s working intellectuals with one – defined – “thinking hat” would be helpful, but arming them with all six and how to apply them would work wonders.
De Bono offers that based on the way the mind works; we are hardwired to be un-creative and cautious. Therefore, formal tools and training are necessary for breaking out of our limited thinking patterns and methods. Lateral Thinking is his solution. Lateral Thinking is deliberately using specific steps and techniques to think creatively. Instead of linear or vertical thinking, which rely solely on logic, Lateral Thinking is a deliberate, systematic process of using cognitive ability to think in a different way. He opines that these proven methods make insight, creativity and innovation happen and by using these, he suggests that everyone can learn at least a basic level and proficiency on how to be more creative. Lateral Thinking provides the power to create ideas on demand (de Bono, 2007a).
De Bono developed his concept of the Six Thinking Hats in order to provide an illustration of the various means of thinking utilized by individuals within the problem solving process. Each hat represents a “mode” of thinking commonly used. The intent is to provide some definition ...
... middle of paper ...
...ng Is Not Enough. Educational Leadership, 42(1), 16.
De Bono, E. (2006, July 8a). Business Thinking Methods: Learning the skill of thinking with the help of formal methods and training. Retrieved November 14, 2007, from http://www.thinkingmanagers.com/management/business-thinking-methods.php
De Bono, E. (2006, July 8b). Challenges in Business: Meet one of the biggest challenges in business and tackle the sacred cows of accepted practice. Retrieved November 14, 2007, from http://www.thinkingmanagers.com/management/challenges.php
De Bon, E. (2007a). Lateral Thinking. Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://www.debonogroup.com/lateralthinking.htm.
De Bono, E. (2007b). Six Thinking Hats. Retrieved November 14, 2007, from http://www.debonogroup.com/6hats.htm
Quantrill, M. (1989). An Emmenthal Cheese Theory. Journal of Architectural Education (1984-), 43(1), 58-60.
People spend their whole lives trying to gain knowledge in many different areas, while others stay focused on a single topic. Once vertical and horizontal thinking are combined people can gain more knowledge and understanding within several different topics. Sven Birkerts, the author of “The Owl Has Flown” explains in many ways how vertical and horizontal thinking are used in everyday life. Vertical thinking is a way in which a person goes more in depth to gain a better understanding of a certain topic. On the contrary, horizontal thinking is gaining more understanding on several different topics, but not as in depth as vertical thinking. There are other components to consider when trying to reach vertical and horizontal Engagement. Finding
Paul, R. and Elder, L., (2008). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking-Concepts and Tools, 5th. Ed., Foundation for Critical Thinking Press: Dillon Beach, CA
Roger von Oech, the author of A Whack on the Side of the Head, makes an unusual offer that thinking at random will increase the efficiency at which ideas become more abundant. This particular concept is certainly an original way to come up with new, fresh problem solving techniques. Ambiguity in the world can help new ideas flow for anyone when looked at in a creative way.
Critical thinking and decision-making are related in more ways than people think. This paper will define critical thinking and decision-making according to the book Whatever It Takes. It will also present a personal definition of critical thinking and decision-making from the author of this paper. The relationship between the two will be explained as well as the benefits of being a critical thinker. The author of this paper will also show how critical thinking is present in his organization and how he implements critical thinking techniques on a daily basis.
Design thinking is a process for practical, creative resolution of problems or issues that looks for an improved future result. It is the essential ability to combine empathy, creativity and rationality to meet user needs and drive business success. Unlike analytical thinking, design thinking is a creative process based around the building up of ideas. There are no judgments early on the design thinking (Simon, 1969, p. 55). Design thinking includes imagination and reason, a combination of convergent and divergent thought, and creativity. Design thinking might be thought of as dialectic, or conversation. It involves design wisdom, judgment, and knowledge. Lastly, design thinking is skill (Hegeman, 2008).
In this assignment the practitioner is going to plan and prepare two experiences in which they will implement and evaluate after each of the lesson. These two experiences will be based on current theory, it will be in a form of an appendix to illustrate the two experiences as well as to promote children’s and young people’s thinking skills, creativity and problem solving. Many researchers such as Wilson (2000 cited in Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008, p.323) have suggested that thinking skills are ways in which a child or young person is looking at the problem. To which we use thinking as a way of processing what we as individual know as well as remembering and perceiving. As for the skills this is the way in which we act by collecting and sorting information to help make decisions and reflect after wards (Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008, p.323). This will include the practitioner to use effective approaches as well as evaluate tools, resources which can help to stimulate children and young people learning as well as supporting children development. The term for creativity has been define as being the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness (Oxford Dictionary 2013). The definition of the term problem solving has been described as the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues (Oxford Dictionary 2013).
During this course, we have discussed, experienced, and dug deep into the four main pillars of integrative thinking. Intuitive, analytical, creative and rhetorical thinking are not separate entities but work together to strengthen each type of thinking’s weakness. The problems we face, are not one sided, they are influenced by many factors, thus how we come up with our solutions should also not be one sided. We need to use a mix of thinking skills in order to make the best decisions or come up with new possible solutions to a problem. Throughout the duration of this course, each week we focused on each of the four integral parts of intuitive thinking. Experiencing how it works, making workshops, working
Insight is a term that is derived from Middle English expressions such as “inner sight, mental vision, [and] wisdom” (“Insight,” n.d.). According to the Oxford Dictionaries, the technical term for insight is “the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing” (“Insight,” n.d.). Insight is gravely important in regards to problem solving and creative thinking. It is indeed a concept that holds much value in the psychological community and is said to be “essential” to creative thinking (Qinglin, Jiang, & Guikang, 2004). The essence of the phrase ‘insight problem solving’ can be further explained as when a “problem solver fails to see how to solve a problem and then – ‘aha!’ – there is a sudden realization how to solve it” (Jones, 2003). When referring to insight, it is not that the problem solver received a miraculous idea from out of nowhere; the problem solver simply had a brief moment where he or she was completely unaware as to how a solution can be found. Therefore, “the problem solver was competent enough to accomplish the task to begin with” and they simply needed a moment to come up with a solution (Jones, 2003). Moreover, that is where the research and questions in regards to insight play a vital role in the cognitive field of psychology. The question that insight brings to light is, what happens in the mental process of an individual who becomes “stuck” and suddenly they gain insight and are able to create a solution (Jones, 2003)? As one can see, insight is a concept that is significant in cognitive psychology.
De Bono's six thinking hats use this lateral thinking technique. All members of a group will focus on a single aspect of a problem at the same time, moving on to another aspect together once discussion of the current one is exhausted. For example the Black hat is for judgment, the Green hat for creativity and the White hat signifies information needed or already know. This system is widely used for business' mainly in meetings, but also used in classrooms as well. is best understood in contrast to traditional argument or adversarial thinking. By wearing each hat you can effectively scan the entire situation and separate your thinking modes and ultimately embrace a more holistic or global perspective and approach to your problem or challenge. This approach is simple but powerful.
The concept is typically used in business settings; however, applying the same concept in counseling supervision can help facilitate and balance diverse viewpoints and polarities. (Li, 2008). Six thinking hats' strategy helps in creative thinking in which one can unbundle thinking; in a way that one can pay full attention to each aspect in turn. Through using this strategy, one can separate the modes of thinking and then apply each mode to the same subject in order to end up with full color thinking on the subject. There is a suggestion that the chemical setting in the brain (neurotransmitter, etc) may be different when one is being positive from when one is being negative, and from one is being creative. If this
Taylor, J. and Ortega, D. The Application of Goldratt's Thinking Processes to problem Solving. Allied Academic international Conference. Las Vegas. 2003
Not only is this a key part of the film but also very important skills to have in the business environment as it is always changing which is why employees as well as employers have to be able to think on their feet in order to overcome unplanned obstacles that they may be faced with. Contingency plans using creativity and problem solving is essential for the business environment. An example of these skills in the movie would be when Billy and Nick lose their jobs and Billy then thinks creatively in order to get the two of them jobs at Google which solves their problem of being unemployed. Another example creative thinking and problem solving is after Nick and Billy’s group return from the club, which was on the same day as the group’s due date for the app challenge, is when Lyle wants to send a message to the girl from the club when he is drunk and this is where the group comes up with their app idea of having to answer questions when you are drunk in order to be able to send a message. This is also an idea of the SCAMPER method as substituted ideas for the app challenge since the previous night, they combined their knowledge of creating an app idea with the necessary resources, they adapted the idea to suit the needs of the app users, they modified it in order to improve it, they eliminated ideas that would not work for the app since
Rudd, R. (2007). Defining critical thinking. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 82(7) 46-49. Retrieved December 9, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.
Critical thinking a strong and powerful way to use the brain, it is used by millions everyday some without knowledge that they are even using it. Critical thinking according to Diane Halpern as " The use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome...thinking that is purposeful, reasoned and goal directed - the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task. Critical thinking is sometimes called directed thinking because it focuses on a desired outcome." Halpern (1996).
In design thinking, designers do not make any early judgments about the quality of ideas. As a result, this minimizes the fear of failure and maximizes input and participation in the ideation (brainstorming) and prototype phases. However, the infamous phrase “Think outside the box” also can be categories as “Wild ideas”. Since this style of thinking is believed to lead to creative solutions that would not have emerged