Edward De Bono Lateral Thinking

1. DR. PRITI SONAR,
EDUCATIONALIST, AUTHOR, TRAINER, WRITER,
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS- M.A., M.COM, M.ED., NET ( EDUCATION), NET (COMMERCE), DSM, CCG,
CCVE, PH.D., MBA (PURSUING)
EXPERIENCE- 14+ YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE, 7+ YEARS OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE.
 SPECIALACHIEVEMENT- EX- BOS (BOARD OF STUDIES) MEMBER OF S.N.D.T WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY

2. EDWARD DE BONO
• Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono was a Maltese physician, psychologist, author,
inventor, philosopher, and consultant. He originated the term lateral thinking, wrote the book Six
Thinking Hats.
• He coined the term lateral thinking. It is a manner of solving problems using an indirect and
creative approach via reasoning that is not immediate obvious. According to de Bono. Lateral
thinking deliberately distances itself from the standard perception of creativity as “vertical” logic,
the classic method for problem solving.

3. LATERAL THINKING
• The concept of lateral thinking was originated by Edward de bono on how the
mind thinks. The concept was originated in 1967.
• Lateral Thinking is:
• Seeking to solve problems by using unique methods
• A process and willingness to look at things in a different way
• Thinking that complements analytical and critical thinking
• A fast, effective tool used to help individuals, teams, and companies solve tough
problems and create new products, processes, and services.

4. CONTRIBUTION- EDWARD DE BONO’S 6 THINKING
HATS
• Blue Hat- Manages and control the six thinking process.
• White Hat- Calls for information needed only facts
• Red Hat- Expresses emotions and feelings, loves and hates
• Yellow Hat- Optimistic, advantages and opportunities
• Black Hat- Criticism, difficulties
• Green Hat- Creativity
• These are used especially for meetings or group discussions

5. WHAT DO YOU GENERALLY THINK WHEN YOU
COME ACROSS A PROBLEM?
• We think that there is only one solution to
the problem.
• However there are different ways of
looking at it.
• There are three types of thinking-
• Vertical, Horizontal and Lateral.

6. PROBLEM NO. 1-
There are six eggs in a basket, six people each take 1 of the eggs. How can it be
that there is one egg still left in the basket.
• Solution 1- Vertical Thinking- You may say it’s impossible
• Solution 2- Horizontal Thinking- The last person waited for the chicken
to hatch and lay an egg and so an egg is left in the basket.
• Solution 3- More logical and easy- Lateral Thinking- The five men each
pick up one egg and the last man pick us the basket with one egg inside
it.

7. PROBLEM NO. 2-
HOW CAN A PERSON FALL OUT A THIRTY FLOOR BUILDING AND SURVIVE
• Most of the people will think it is IMPOSSIBLE.
• But isn’t it possible that he fell out from the ground floor.

8. EVERYONE IS BORN CREATIVE
• We need to unlearn to be creative.
• It means we need to leave the traditional approach we were taught in
school.
• Example- If you dig a hole deeper you will get water (what we learn in
school). What De Bono taught me I can buy a mineral water if I want
water.
• He believes that instead of going for step by step thinking and go for a
more creative thinking which is Lateral Thinking.

9. LATERAL THINKING HELPS US TO LIVE LIFE
EFFECTIVELY
• Problem No. 3-
Goal- To make money
Vertical Thinking- Work hard and hard, day and night. The more you work, the
more you earn.
Is it an elegant solution?
Lateral Thinking- Goal should not be to make money but it should be to Have
More Money.
You can save more money, cut all unnecessary expenditures.

10. LET US LISTEN TO A STORY TO KNOW MORE
ABOUT LATERAL THINKING

11. LET US LISTEN TO A STORY TO KNOW MORE
ABOUT LATERAL THINKING

12. ADVANTAGES
• Develop better idea generation and problem solving ability.
• Gain competitive advantage by being vastly more innovative.
• Constructively challenge current thinking and see new opportunities.

13. WAYS TO ENCOURAGE LATERAL THINKING IN
CHILDREN
• 1. Brainstorm regularly
• 2. Solve puzzles and brain-teasers
• 3. Encourage questions
• 4. Promote freedom in the classroom
• 5. Encourage ideas