In a world of rapid change and constant challenges, our way of thinking can be a key factor in success. But how can we break away from established patterns and find unexpected solutions? Dr. Edward de Bono, a pioneer in creative thinking, offers us two key concepts – parallel and lateral thinking. These approaches have revolutionized companies that have learned to think differently and strategically.
What are Parallel and Lateral Thinking?
Edward de Bono believed that thinking is not just an innate ability but a skill we can develop using specific techniques.
Parallel thinking means that different perspectives coexist and develop simultaneously. Instead of ideas excluding each other, they exist in harmony.
“In parallel thinking, there is no place for confrontation, but for cooperation,” says de Bono.
Dr. Edward de Bono and Nastja Mulej in Malta holding the book Parallel Thinking.
This book is a provocative masterpiece of creative thinking, where Edward de Bono advocates for a new way of thinking. For thousands of years, we’ve followed a system of thinking shaped by Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, based on analysis and arguments. However, if we want to succeed in today’s fast-changing world, we must free our minds from these “boxes” and embrace a more flexible and agile model. Through the book and the methodology of Parallel Thinking, de Bono reveals unique methods for generating ideas (popularly known as brainstorming). The book is not philosophical, but like all of de Bono’s books: practical. It specifically explains what is needed to achieve things in a constantly changing world.
Lateral thinking encourages breaking away from established thought patterns. It’s about finding new paths that are initially hidden.
“Lateral thinking is not just about seeing what we already see, but about seeing something we haven’t seen yet,” de Bono explained.
De Bono’s most famous books and methods: Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking. The hats enable fruitful collaboration and co-creation with team members, while Lateral Thinking provides tools to direct thoughts outside of established patterns and create real “out of the box” ideas.
How Does This Look in Practice?
In 1967, de Bono first introduced the concept of lateral thinking, aiming to give companies and individuals better insights into problems. Coca-Cola is one organization that successfully applied de Bono’s methods. When the company faced declining sales, they used lateral thinking to develop new marketing strategies that once again captured consumer attention.
Similarly, IBM introduced the “Six Thinking Hats” method to its teams. This allowed them to analyze every problem from different angles, thereby increasing innovation. Parallel collaboration became key to their future successes.
Thinking for Everyone
De Bono’s messages are clear – creativity is not reserved only for artists and special individuals but is available to everyone. 3M, known for its innovations, proved this with its Post-it notes, which resulted from a failed adhesive experiment. When they abandoned conventional solutions and thought outside the box, they created a product that became iconic.
“Thinking outside the box is crucial for generating new ideas,” de Bono emphasized.
Individuals can also use these methods to discover new ways of working and thinking. Consider how parallel thinking could help your team create a marketing campaign, where you would simultaneously develop different strategies and then combine them into a comprehensive plan.
De Bono teaches us that thinking is like a muscle – it needs to be trained and strengthened. By using the techniques of parallel and lateral thinking, anyone can improve their abilities and find solutions that would otherwise remain hidden. In today’s complex world, this kind of flexibility is the key to long-term success.
Written by: Nastja Mulej
