<ul>
<li>Vertical thinking is the traditional type of thinking where one moves forward by sequential steps and where each step must be justified.</li>
<li>Lateral thinking is the process of generating new ideas. It teaches you how to look at a problem from a different angle and challenge your thinking patterns to produce better ways of solving a problem.</li>
<li>Vertical thinking is very useful for analysing facts, numbers and data. Lateral thinking is useful to solve unique problems that require innovative thinking.</li>
</ul>

Vertical thinking vs lateral thinking

Brainstorming is very effective to solve a problem creatively. Sharing ideas in a constructive environment will likely lead to an innovative solution. <ul><li>Share ideas in a non-judgmental manner.</li><li>Highlight the dominating ideas and explore them further.</li></ul> Another method is the reversal technique. It's based on the idea that you can change your perspective when you change the order of the words or the question. For example, "the parents are educating their kids' or "the kids need to be educated by their parents".

Brainstorming and the reversal method

There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.

In the past, there was an exclusive emphasis on vertical thinking (logic or mathematics). Vertical thinking is linear, logical and produce the final solution from a series of accurate statements.  Vertical thinking is useful, but sometimes we need to think outside the box. When vertical thinking is not getting you anywhere, you should switch to lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is important when constructing strategies or challenging old ways of dealing with a problem.

The need for lateral thinking

<ul>
<li>Create alternatives: More choices create better solutions.</li>
<li>Question your assumptions.</li>
<li>Quotas: Generate ten ideas a day. The more you do this, the better you will become at it.</li>
<li>Analogies: Make connections between the current situation and a similar situation.</li>
<li>Fractionation: Break something down into its components, then rebuild it.</li>
<li>Random stimulation: Put yourself into new environments outside your comfort zone, such as a conversation with someone with different views or going to unfamiliar locations.</li>
<li>Identify the main point of a book, conversation, video.</li>
<li>Brainstorm.</li>
<li>Entertain unattractive ideas.</li>
</ul>

Train your lateral thinking

These hacks help you face a situation that “everybody knows” how to solve

books

Books

problemsolving

Problem Solving

teamwork

Teamwork

communication

Communication

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

Think Outside The Box

Using lateral thinking for solving problems creatively

The first practical explanation of how creativity works, this results-oriented bestseller trains listeners to move beyond a "vertical" mode of thought to tap the potential of lateral thinking.

productivity

Productivity

philosophy

Philosophy

“This could be a very useful book for teachers and non-teachers alike. Dr. DeBono does not claim to be able to turn us all into Miltons, Davincis, and Einsteins…but his techniques provide an alternative to just sitting around waiting for the Muse to appear. The Muse never appears to most of us—hence the value of this book.”— David Cohen, Times Educational SupplementThe first practical explanation of how creativity works, this results-oriented bestseller trains listeners to move beyond a “vertical” mode of thought to tap the potential of lateral thinking“The underlying argument of the book is that there are two kinds of thinking—vertical and lateral. Most of us are educated to think vertically, to go from one logical step to the next, moving all the time towards the one correct solution of our problem. We are not usually educated to be creative, to generate idea after idea….“Dr. DeBono argues that the function of vertical, logical thinking is to argue what is wrong. It is a very useful way of thinking, but it is not the only useful way. To claim it is, is the sort of intellectual arrogance that makes creative thinking unlikely….

Edward De Bono is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Edward De Bono has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Edward De Bono's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.