problem solving lateral thinking

How it works

Transform your enterprise with the scalable mindsets, skills, & behavior change that drive performance.

Explore how BetterUp connects to your core business systems.

We pair AI with the latest in human-centered coaching to drive powerful, lasting learning and behavior change.

Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement.

Unlock performance potential at scale with AI-powered curated growth journeys.

Build resilience, well-being and agility to drive performance across your entire enterprise.

Transform your business, starting with your sales leaders.

Unlock business impact from the top with executive coaching.

Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Accelerate the performance and potential of your agencies and employees.

See how innovative organizations use BetterUp to build a thriving workforce.

Discover how BetterUp measurably impacts key business outcomes for organizations like yours.

A demo is the first step to transforming your business. Meet with us to develop a plan for attaining your goals.

• What is coaching?

Learn how 1:1 coaching works, who its for, and if it's right for you.

Accelerate your personal and professional growth with the expert guidance of a BetterUp Coach.

Types of Coaching

Navigate career transitions, accelerate your professional growth, and achieve your career goals with expert coaching.

Enhance your communication skills for better personal and professional relationships, with tailored coaching that focuses on your needs.

Find balance, resilience, and well-being in all areas of your life with holistic coaching designed to empower you.

Discover your perfect match : Take our 5-minute assessment and let us pair you with one of our top Coaches tailored just for you.

Research, expert insights, and resources to develop courageous leaders within your organization.

Best practices, research, and tools to fuel individual and business growth.

View on-demand BetterUp events and learn about upcoming live discussions.

The latest insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace.

• BetterUp Briefing

The online magazine that helps you understand tomorrow's workforce trends, today.

Innovative research featured in peer-reviewed journals, press, and more.

Founded in 2022 to deepen the understanding of the intersection of well-being, purpose, and performance

We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion.

Join us and create impactful change.

Read the buzz about BetterUp.

Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce.

For Business

For Individuals

What is lateral thinking? 7 techniques to encourage creative ideas

Jump to section

What is lateral thinking?

Why is lateral thinking important, how to improve lateral thinking: 7 techniques, benefits of lateral thinking, challenges of lateral thinking, rethink your problem-solving process.

When you feel comfortable in a routine, you might forget to think outside the box. 

Maybe you’ve been communicating with clients the same way for years, or you use the same meeting agenda template for every team. These processes could work, but they could also neglect to make space for innovation and new ideas. 

Adjusting your mindset can help you start a more open problem-solving process and drive innovation. This is what lateral thinking proposes. 

Lateral thinking means brainstorming creatively to solve problems and generate ideas without the limitations of logic-based critical thinking. Giving your teams the tools to get creative and embrace every new thought, no matter how out there it sounds, can help find inefficiencies and push your business into the future. 

Lateral thinking, sometimes called horizontal thinking or divergent thinking, is defined as an approach to problem-solving that strives for creative solutions rather than the most straightforward answer. Through spontaneous, free-flowing brainstorming, lateral thinking disrupts traditional step-by-step thinking patterns to develop as many varied creative ideas as possible. 

Psychologist Edward de Bono developed this concept in his 1967 book, The Use of Lateral Thinking. De Bono argued that the human brain has been trained to think “inside the box” and seek typical, predictable solutions, even if those aren’t the best options . He proposed lateral thinking as a new way to move past our cognitive biases and be more inventive.

Vertical thinking, the opposite of lateral thinking according to de Bono, is reason-based. You gather all available data and move sequentially from one step to the next until you reach a logical conclusion. This is what he says the human brain does naturally.

Lateral thinking instead combines imagination and intuition. You consciously try to generate ideas and scenarios that imagine uncertainties outside the information you already have. It places more importance on the ideas themselves and doesn’t dwell on the outcome until later. 

Despite their differences, vertical and lateral thinking can work together to make ideas the best they can be. Lateral thinking can stimulate more creative logic in vertical thinking, and vertical thinking fine-tunes lateral thinking’s big ideas.

Lateral thinking can increase adaptability and innovation in people who practice it. With new technologies like AI and shifting demands from the labor force, products, and processes can become outdated quickly, and new ways of thinking offer more ways to overcome potential problems.

According to a McKinsey poll of 200 organizations across several industries, 90% of executives believe that how they do business will fundamentally change between 2020 and 2025 . However, the same study found that only 21% of executives are prepared to create and embrace new growth opportunities .

Lateral thinking offers a framework for innovation that supports growth and change. It helps teams imagine the previously unimaginable and set themselves apart from the competition. Teams that can bring new perspectives to challenges will be more likely to stay with the curve and potentially create disruptive innovation that pushes the curve further ahead.

Lateral thinking might seem abstract and hard to implement. But adding steps to your brainstorming process can help you become more conscious of your th ought patterns, identify gaps, and think of creative ideas . Here are a few lateral thinking techniques to broaden your own and your team’s problem-solving skills.

1. Recognize thought patterns

Humans often get stuck in an anchoring bias : making judgments or decisions based on the first piece of information they receive. Vertical thinking encourages this bias because it builds on what you already have. As new data or ideas arrive, you stack them on top of the existing information instead of innovating.

But lateral thinkers are often more aware of their thought patterns, meaning they can better prevent biases and reorganize information.

You likely accept successful processes and services as unchangeable in your day-to-day professional life. If it’s not broken, why fix it? But asking why and how you use those processes, even when things are going well, is a common creative approach in lateral thinking to challenge ideas and break cognitive biases. 

Figuring out why you or your team does something a certain way requires you to deconstruct the process and examine each element. This naturally brings forward new ideas and helps you find barriers you didn’t even know were there. 

3. Consider all the alternatives

The logical outcome of problem-solving is to find the most efficient solution. Lateral thinking encourages you to purposefully set aside the “best” answer and brainstorm alternative approaches, regardless of how lofty they seem. 

Imagine you’re running into issues with an important spreadsheet. You’re constantly adding new information, the system is slowing down, and it’s harder to find things when you need them. You try adding more sheets and reorganizing the data, but that doesn’t quite work.

Lateral thinking could help you think of an entirely new solution, like switching to project management software instead of relying on one spreadsheet.

4. Invite external stimuli

You may know what work environment best suits your critical thinking and concentration skills . While a steady environment may help your focus, it might also put you in a comfort zone that limits your creativity. 

Find new stimuli that encourage lateral thinking, like playing music to concentrate differently, taking breaks in the middle of the day, or soliciting the opinion of a colleague from another department. Not every new method will be successful, but trying is part of innovating.

5. Reframe ideas

During a brainstorming session, you’ll likely come up with good ideas that seem too complicated or hard to implement. Lateral thinking encourages you to take these ideas seriously rather than immediately dismissing them. 

If you or your team think of a big idea, dedicate just a few minutes to discussing it. Examine your restrictions and ask what financial, operational, or time constraints create a barrier to entry. With that information, you can try to reformulate the idea from different perspectives until it becomes more viable.

6. Try random entry

When you feel stuck on a certain thinking pattern, random entry can shake things up and stimulate lateral thinking. Random entry introduces a random word or image to a brainstorming session. Even if it seems unrelated, try associating it with the problem at hand. The process of making those connections can help you come up with out-of-the-box ideas.

Imagine you’re a branding agency working on a rebrand for a coffee shop. The client doesn’t want to use the typical insignia like coffee beans or mugs. To provoke a new idea, you randomly select a word from the dictionary: “spine.” You map out different word associations to “spine” and end up creating a new brand based on the idea of coffee as a backbone. 

7. Mind mapping

Mind maps are a common brainstorming technique that helps teams visualize problems to find more expansive ideas. You begin with a central problem and break it into smaller pieces until you have a larger document with many ideas in one place.

Seeing everything together fosters more creative connections, and studies have shown that mind mapping helps people retain and develop information more effectively. Lateral thinking also has the potential to become disorganized with so many different ideas at play, and mind maps can avoid that problem by keeping everything in one place.

Lateral thinking skills give you the tools to be more creative and solve problems that you previously thought would stay problems. Here are a few more benefits of lateral thinking:

Offers fresh thoughts: Anything-goes brainstorming sessions have the potential to bring wild new ideas to the table. With lateral thinking, sometimes all it takes is a little refining to bring those unthinkable concepts into exciting solutions. 

Challenges assumptions: Lateral thinkers question their thought processes to distance themselves from the biases and linear thinking that limit creativity. Developing self-awareness about your problem-solving unlocks the potential to innovate. 

Builds new ways of thinking: Lateral thinking doesn’t just prompt you to seek new solutions. It teaches you that there are other ways to think through problems. Approaching a problem from a creative mindset can apply to other areas of work that require critical thinking, like negotiating a new salary , finding ways to increase employee engagement , or dealing with difficult people . 

Widens your focus: Breaking a problem into smaller parts and exploring them laterally helps you spot solutions without distraction. Looking at the whole of a problem can make you waste time jumping around from point to point, and focusing heavily on a single aspect at a time lets you dive deeper. 

Presents another way: “This is the way we’ve always done it” doesn’t mean that particular process is the best. Lateral thinking teaches you to challenge that idea and create alternative solutions for everything. The things that work well can work even better if you dissect them and find small ways to improve. 

Successful lateral thinking requires effort and experience. Thinking big can break you out of stale habits, but if your team can’t bring those ideas to a realistic action, you could create bigger problems than you started with. Here are some challenges of lateral thinking:

Indecision: Weaning down great ideas into a single solution may be difficult and time-consuming. Try including sound market research and other data in your process to find the decision with the biggest impact.

Reckless thinking: Lofty ideas are most helpful when you have the resources to back them up. If you don’t properly check with all stakeholders, you may run into problems along the way that bottleneck development or force you to toss it after dedicating precious time and money. 

Too much at once: You may be tempted to tackle too much and burn out your team. Successful change takes time. Roll it out slowly so you have space to review and refine new processes. 

Disruption: A culture of experimentation encourages employees to implement ideas that go outside the box. But without clear communication and realistic limitations, you could risk implementing new concepts that do more harm than good. Lateral thinking still requires analysis and planning. 

Understanding what lateral thinking is and how to use it can be a challenge. But giving your team the tools and freedom to think outside the box and pursue the roads less traveled will pay off in the end.

Lateral thinking leads to more creative collaboration and greater innovation. You could also uncover inefficiencies in your business you never knew were there. 

Boost your productivity

Maximize your time and productivity with strategies from our expert coaches.

Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

9 project management (PM) tools that help you get the job done

Learn what process mapping is and how to create one (+ examples), the only guide you'll need to create effective cascading goals, how to develop critical thinking skills, how to create a work plan (with template), make the most of your time with the best time management tools, member story: career development and shaping my future with intention, member story: a copilot for the road ahead, entrepreneurial mindset: what is it & how to think like an entrepreneur, similar articles, thinking outside the box: 8 ways to become a creative problem solver, 8 brainstorming techniques to harness the power of teamwork, what is creative thinking and why does it matter, how to improve your creative skills for effective problem-solving, how divergent thinking can drive your creativity, all-or-nothing thinking: 3 ways to stop throwing in the towel, 8 creative solutions to your most challenging problems, what’s convergent thinking how to be a better problem-solver, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702

• Platform Overview
• Integrations
• Powered by AI
• BetterUp Lead™
• BetterUp Manage™
• BetterUp Care®
• Sales Performance
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Case Studies
• Why BetterUp?
• About Coaching
• Find your Coach
• Career Coaching
• Communication Coaching
• Life Coaching
• News and Press
• Leadership Team
• Become a BetterUp Coach
• BetterUp Labs
• Center for Purpose & Performance
• Leadership Training
• Business Coaching
• Contact Support
• Contact Sales
• Privacy Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Trust & Security
• Cookie Preferences

• Memberships

Lateral Thinking by Edward De Bono explained

Lateral Thinking: this article provides a practical explanation of lateral thinking , developed by Edward the Bono . Next to what it is (definition and meaning), this article also highlights lateral thinking examples and where you can use this method for. After reading, you’ll understand the basics of this useful problem solving method and creativity> tool. It’s easy to use once you get it, and the result can be a true paradigm shift. Enjoy reading

What is lateral thinking? The theory explained

The definition and meaning of lateral thinking.

Lateral thinking is defined by Oxford’s Lexico as solving problems with “an indirect and creative approach, typically through viewing the problem in a new and unusual light.” But it’s not just another buzzword.

The concept of lateral thinking has been around for decades and it has a very specific methodology. This means you can use lateral thinking tools to solve your own or your business’s problems in a new and creative way. It is especially suitable for idea generation.

The thing that distinguishes this problem-solving method from the rest of the bunch is that you’re encouraged to change the way you look at the problem. When you do that, you may find that the “problem” you were trying to solve is not the problem. The problem is actually something else.

How is that possible? Before you start solving a problem step by step, you need to perceive it. You need to form an understanding of the problem, a conceptual framework of what is happening. You build that based on your existing understanding of how things should work and may take some elements of the problem for granted because of that.

If that preconceived notion of the problem is wrong, you can’t solve it. The other thing that prevents you from solving the problem is thinking vertically, or linear thinking .

For instance, if you run an IT company and the product you’re working on fails to perform when the number of visitors increases, simply scaling up the hardware may not solve the problem. You may need to find operational bottlenecks and improve them instead.

Lateral thinking examples

The easiest way to understand lateral thinking is by looking at riddles that require you to find a new way of looking at the problem. Here’s one.

A man rode into town on Monday. He stayed for three nights and then left on Monday. How can that be?

If you start to think of it, it doesn’t make any sense. It’s six nights till the next Monday, not three. A careful reader, however, will spot that the man rode into town, not drove into it. Since the road to town took some time, it’s natural he left on Monday after spending only three nights there.

Now, this riddle is a linguistic one, but it takes a tiny conceptual shift to solve it. We don’t use horses anymore, so most people automatically assume the process of riding into a town is instantaneous. Here’s a more difficult riddle.

A man is wearing all black. He is walking down a street where all street lamps are off. A black car is coming towards him with its lights off but somehow manages to stop in time. How did the driver see the man?

Since there are so many words denoting blackness in this riddle, at first, most people assume the street was pitch black. But the fact that the street lamps were off may mean it was actually daytime, so there is no way that the driver could have missed the black-clad man.

This is what lateral thinking is in its essence. The process of challenging your own assumptions about the problem you’re facing. Now that you understand how it works, let’s look at a more down-to-earth example.

A hungry customer walks into a restaurant. There are plenty of places to sit, but he wanders for a bit and leaves. Why?

This is no riddle. It’s a problem hundreds of business owners struggle with, and it has no definite answer. Take a minute or two and come up with possible reasons of what might have happened. Here’s our list for the reference:

• The customer just didn’t like the atmosphere.
• The customer expected to find their friends there but didn’t.
• The customer was misled by the sign and thought the place served Italian food, but it didn’t.
• The customer was looking for a power outlet but all the tables with them were taken.
• The customer came over because of the advertised happy hour, didn’t find any information about it on display, and thought he missed it.

While none of these are solutions in and of themselves, these iterations on the initial problem show possible causes of it. You can’t change the outcome in the first two cases, but the last three variants give you an opportunity to improve things.

Where can you use lateral thinking?

The basics of lateral thinking are easy to grasp, but where can use this methodology apart from solving riddles?

The game of Go

If you haven’t heard of Go yet, you read up and try to play it. It’s a strategic Japanese game that can change your perception of strategy in both business and life.

This game is well suited for lateral thinking, especially for beginners. Often, beginners with a Western background start playing this game with a bunch of preconceptions that prove completely wrong.

For instance, you can solve the problem on one end of the gameboard by ignoring it and focusing your efforts on dominating the opponent on the rest of the board. You may not ever become a professional, but the insights and the application of lateral thinking can be eye-opening.

Lean methodology

While lean thinking or lean methodology is rooted in lean manufacturing , you can use this approach in any industry. The core of lean thinking is constantly looking for areas of your business to improve and solving problems by finding structurally new approaches to them. Sounds a lot like lateral thinking.

For instance, you create a value stream map and see that it takes too much time to pass on tasks from one department to the next. The regular approach to this problem is to have a meeting and state how important it is to work across departments.

If you apply lateral thinking, however, you’ll see that the problem is workers don’t want to check their emails and risk losing concentration. Implementing HR software with a digital task whiteboard that every employee can check with in the morning can be the right solution because it doesn’t distract workers.

Customer journey mapping

The last example of lateral thinking is basically a customer journey map . When you create one, you are confronted with user behavior but not much explanation of it. Combine data mining and behavior tracking with lateral thinking to come up with the right interpretation of the problem and its solution.

Innovation is where lateral thinking shines. What is entrepreneurship if not finding new unsolved problems and coming up with creative ways to solve them? Use lateral thinking to challenge your assumptions of the problems people face, and you will find the sweet spot.

You can test your solutions with another De Bono’s methodology, the six thinking hats to make sure it’s going to work.

How to implement lateral thinking

Whatever problem you’re solving, here are two simple steps you have to take to make your thinking and implementation process effective.

Use methodology

Lateral thinking is not just thinking creatively. You have to challenge the framing of the problem. Ask yourself:

• What unknown factors may influence the outcome?
• What can we misinterpret in the formulation of the problem?
• Is this problem a part of a bigger problem?

If you’re stuck with problem-solving, try using the random association method. Pick a random word from the dictionary or a book, and form free associations with that work that may solve the problem.

For instance, if the problem is lack of cross-department cooperation, and the word you find is “equine,” you may remember that the word comes from Latin. Romans were known for creating laws that are still followed across the Western world, so maybe you can work on your company rules.

Track performance

Whatever solution you come up with, don’t forget it’s just an idea, not the perfect solution. An idea that may work or fail.

Now It’s Your Turn

What do you think? Do you recognize the explanation of lateral thinking, developed by psychologist Edward de Bono? Do you use lateral thinking in practice? What other tools for creativity are you familiar with, which also contribute to solving problems?

Share your experience and knowledge in the comments box below.

More information

• Bun, K. J. (2018). 67 Lateral Thinking Puzzles: Games And Riddles To Kill Time And Build Brain Cells . Independently published.
• De Bono, E . (1992). Serious creativity: using the power of lateral thinking to create new ideas . HarperBusiness.
• De Bono, E. (2015). Serious Creativity: How to Be Creative Under Pressure and Turn Ideas into Action . Random House UK .
• Yasuyuki, M. (1998). Go, an Asian Paradigm for Business Strategy . Kiseido Publishing Company.

How to cite this article: Craig, S. (2020). Lateral Thinking (De Bono) . Retrieved [insert date] from Toolshero: https://www.toolshero.com/problem-solving/lateral-thinking/

Original publication date: 01/13/2020 | Last update: 11/11/2023

Add a link to this page on your website: <a href=”https://www.toolshero.com/problem-solving/lateral-thinking/”>Toolshero: Lateral Thinking (De Bono)</a>

Did you find this article interesting?

Your rating is more than welcome or share this article via Social media!

Average rating 4.4 / 5. Vote count: 7

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Susan Craig

Susan Craig is an HR manager, personal trainee in management, freelance writer, and active guest contributor for HR-software .

Related ARTICLES

Ladder of Abstraction (Hayakawa)

Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT)

Brainwriting technique: a Brainstorming Tool

Metaphorical Thinking: the Definition and Theory

IBM Design Thinking Model explained

Design Thinking Process by Herbert Simon

Also interesting.

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) by Peter Checkland

Crowdsourcing: the meaning, definition and some examples

CATWOE Analysis: theory and example

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

BOOST YOUR SKILLS

Toolshero supports people worldwide ( 10+ million visitors from 100+ countries ) to empower themselves through an easily accessible and high-quality learning platform for personal and professional development.

By making access to scientific knowledge simple and affordable, self-development becomes attainable for everyone, including you! Join our learning platform and boost your skills with Toolshero.

POPULAR TOPICS

• Change Management
• Marketing Theories
• Problem Solving Theories
• Psychology Theories

ABOUT TOOLSHERO

• Free Toolshero e-book
• Memberships & Pricing

What Is Lateral Thinking? The Skill We Should All Have

In both work and home life, problem-solving often follows repetitive, formulaic patterns and procedures. Not necessarily the best way to solve a problem by any means—just what we’re used to (or how we’re instructed).

These can be described as linear, non-creative problem-solving strategies. But what would happen if we began employing unfamiliar, unorthodox approaches to resolve the difficult situations we encounter?

Look no further than lateral thinking. 

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into lateral thinking, its history as a concept, and the nuts and bolts of exactly how it’s supposed to work. We’ll then examine how you can study this skill in-depth and detail how you can deploy lateral thinking to your advantage with various techniques.

Use this clickable menu below to zip through to a specific section:

• Edward de Bono

Six Thinking Hats

Random word brainstorming, non-linear directions, lateral thinking tips, oblique strategies, morning pages.

• Closing Thoughts

1. What is lateral thinking?

Lateral thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves looking at a problem or situation from different perspectives and coming up with creative and unconventional solutions. 

It’s a type of thinking that encourages the use of imagination, creativity, and innovation to generate new ideas.

Lateral thinking is often contrasted with vertical thinking, which involves solving problems in a step-by-step, logical manner. 

Lateral thinking, on the other hand, involves breaking away from traditional patterns of thought and exploring new and unexpected connections between ideas.

Edward de Bono 

Like cutting pizza with scissors? Not at all. Rather than zany, “outside the box” strategies, lateral thinking represents something more scientific and methodical. 

The term “lateral thinking” was coined by Edward de Bono in his book The Use of Lateral Thinking, published in 1967. De Bono believed that lateral thinking could be taught and developed and that it could be applied to a wide range of fields, from business and science to art and literature.

According to de Bono, traditional thinking is often based on established patterns and rules, which can be limiting when generating new ideas. Conversely, lateral thinking involves breaking away from these patterns and investigating fresh avenues of thought. 

De Bono emphasized the importance of provocation in lateral thinking, which involves deliberately seeking out ideas that are unlikely or even absurd to stimulate new ways of thinking.

De Bono developed several techniques and tools to help individuals and teams practice lateral thinking. One of these is the “Six Thinking Hats” approach, which involves using different modes of thinking, represented by different colored hats, to explore a problem from different angles. 

The goal of the technique is to help individuals and teams think more thoroughly and systematically about a problem and to avoid getting stuck in one particular mode of thinking.

Here’s how the Six Thinking Hats approach should play out:

• White Hat : The white hat represents the perspective of objective facts and data. When wearing the white hat, individuals focus on gathering and analyzing information related to the problem or situation.
• Red Hat : The red hat represents the perspective of emotions and intuition. When wearing the red hat, individuals focus on how they feel about the problem or situation and explore their emotional reactions and gut instincts.
• Black Hat : The black hat represents the perspective of caution and critical thinking. When wearing the black hat, individuals focus on identifying potential risks and problems, and on identifying ways to mitigate or avoid them.
• Yellow Hat : The yellow hat represents the perspective of optimism and positivity. When wearing the yellow hat, individuals focus on identifying the potential benefits and opportunities associated with the problem or situation.
• Green Hat : The green hat represents the perspective of creativity and innovation. When wearing the green hat, individuals focus on generating new ideas and approaches to the problem or situation.
• Blue Hat : The blue hat represents the perspective of organization and facilitation. When wearing the blue hat, individuals focus on managing the thinking process itself, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and that the discussion remains focused and productive.

To use the Six Thinking Hats approach, individuals or teams may take turns “wearing” each hat and exploring the problem or situation from that particular perspective. 

By doing so, they can gain a more thorough understanding of the problem and generate a wider range of potential solutions. The technique can be used in a variety of settings, from business and organizational contexts to educational and personal settings.

The idea of imaginary hats acting as metaphors for different modes of work (and play) has since seeped into popular culture and the common workplace. This ubiquity is testament to the profound nature of lateral thinking and de Bono’s groundbreaking work.

Another lateral thinking method developed by de Bono is “random word” brainstorming, which involves using a random word as a starting point for generating ideas.

The idea behind the technique is that by starting with a completely unrelated word, you can stimulate your brain to make new connections and associations that you might not have otherwise thought of.

Here’s how the technique works:

• Choose a random word : To start the process, choose a completely random word. This could be a word you find in a dictionary, a word generated by a random word generator, or even a word you hear someone say on the street.
• Associate the word with the problem : Once you have your random word, try to associate it with the problem or challenge you are trying to solve. Look for any connections or associations between the word and the problem.
• Brainstorm ideas : Using the random word as a starting point, brainstorm as many ideas as you can. Try to come up with ideas completely that are unrelated to the problem at hand, but that still somehow connect to the random word.
• Refine your ideas : Once you have a list of ideas, review and refine them. Look for any ideas that are particularly interesting or promising, and think about how you might be able to adapt or develop them to fit the problem you are trying to solve.

The random-word brainstorming technique is just one of many tools and techniques developed by Edward de Bono to promote lateral thinking and creativity.

By using this technique, you can break out of established patterns of thinking and come up with truly original ideas that might not have occurred to you otherwise.

Such brainstorming methods—also referred to as mind mapping, thought showering, or brainwriting—are prime examples of the non-linear thought patterns encouraged by lateral thinking exercises.

As mentioned previously, standard problem-solving takes shape as a linear, step-by-step thought process. This approach can be represented as:

• Complete step X
• Complete step Y
• Complete step Z

This is, of course, essential for solving problems such as doing the laundry or sending off your tax forms. But, as mentioned, if humans as a species never deviated from these linear patterns of thought, our scientific, technological, and cultural advancements would be hindered greatly. 

Lateral thinking represents a willingness to generate a large number of new ideas without worrying if they are good or not. This mass of material can then be sifted through to find the ideas that are the most promising. 

Allowing words or images to flow spontaneously is a technique common in a wide range of practices, from psychotherapy (word association, Rorschach diagrams, talk therapy) to the arts (automatic writing, spontaneous music, free painting), and marketing and technology (brainstorming, design sprints, SCAMPER).

These are all methods for accessing deeper levels of consciousness, and some may even be used in meditation or other contemplative practices. By this token, the origins of lateral thinking can be traced back to the 19th century, when automatic writing was used as a form of divination or spiritual communication. 

2. How to use lateral thinking

So far, what’s not to love? Lateral thinking seems to be a no-brainer for boosting creativity and innovation. The tricky part is, how do you incorporate lateral thinking into your existing workflow, practices, and daily routines? 

Below are some quick tips, followed by a couple of more detailed methods.

• Look for alternative perspectives : Try to see things from different perspectives. If you are facing a problem or challenge, consider how someone from a different background, culture, or profession might approach the issue.
• Use random prompts : Use a random word or image to generate new ideas or associations. For example, you could pick a word from a dictionary at random and try to come up with as many ideas as possible related to that word.
• Ask “What If” questions : Ask yourself “What If” questions to explore different scenarios and possibilities. For example, “What if I were to approach this problem from a completely different angle?” or “What if I were to consider the opposite of what I believe to be true?”
• Challenge assumptions : Be aware of your assumptions and challenge them. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it is the best or only way to do it. Consider alternative approaches and question the status quo.
• Practice combining ideas : Try combining ideas from different domains to come up with new solutions or products. For example, what if you combine a camera with a phone? This is how the smartphone was created.
• Play games that encourage lateral thinking : Many games can help you practice lateral thinking, such as puzzles, riddles, and word games.

By incorporating these strategies into your day-to-day life, you can develop your lateral thinking skills and become more creative and innovative in your approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Oblique Strategies is a set of cards or prompts created by musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt in 1975. The cards are intended to help users break out of creative blocks or find new solutions to problems through a series of random or unexpected prompts.

Each card contains a cryptic or enigmatic phrase or instruction, such as “Honor thy error as a hidden intention” or “Repetition is a form of change”. The idea is to draw a card at random and use the phrase or instruction as a jumping-off point for creative thinking or problem-solving.

Eno and Schmidt developed the cards as a way to disrupt habitual thinking patterns and encourage users to approach problems in a more open-minded and exploratory way. The prompts are intentionally ambiguous and open to interpretation, allowing users to bring their experiences and perspectives to the process.

Oblique Strategies has become a popular tool for artists, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals and has been used in a variety of contexts, from brainstorming sessions to individual creative projects. The prompts can be used to generate new ideas, overcome creative blocks, or challenge assumptions and biases.

There are several versions of Oblique Strategies available, including a physical deck of cards, a mobile app, and a website that generates a random prompt with each refresh.

Morning pages is a technique for freewriting that was popularized by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way. The idea is to write three pages of longhand stream-of-consciousness writing every morning as soon as you wake up.

The purpose of morning pages is to clear your mind, gain clarity, and unlock your creativity. By writing without censorship or judgment, you can tap into your subconscious mind and access new ideas and insights.

The rules for morning pages are simple: write whatever comes to mind without worrying about spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Don’t stop to edit or revise; just keep writing until you have filled three pages. Write as quickly as possible without stopping to think or analyze what you are writing.

Morning pages can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to overcome creative blocks, reduce anxiety, or gain clarity and focus in their daily life. By getting your thoughts down on paper first thing in the morning, you can start your day with a clear mind and a sense of purpose.

Many people find that morning pages help them to identify patterns in their thinking and behavior, as well as clarify their goals and priorities. The practice can also be therapeutic, providing a safe space for self-expression and emotional release.

Overall, morning pages is a simple and effective tool for anyone looking to boost their creativity, reduce stress, or gain more clarity and focus in their daily life.

3. Closing thoughts

Stepping away from safe, procedural patterns of thought and execution is crucial to creativity and innovation. 

While Edward de Bono gave lateral thinking its name in 1967, the core technique—altering your state of mind to change one’s perspective—has its roots in various creative, philosophical, and religious customs. 

That said, you don’t need to be a philosopher or an artistic genius in order to give lateral thinking a whirl. If you feel stuck in a creative rut or fixed on rails at work, see if Oblique Strategies or morning pages cause a shift in perspective. 

Or, for the more laterally ambitious among you, why not honor Edward de Bono and organize your very own Six Thinking Hats workshop?

Above all, don’t be afraid to think differently, and don’t be afraid to fail. 

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy these: 

• What Is the Design Thinking Process? The 5 Steps Complete Guide
• Which Tech Career Path Is Right For Me? [2023 Guide]
• How to Apply Design Thinking to Wicked Problems

What is lateral thinking?

Last updated

27 April 2023

Reviewed by

Eliz Ayaydin

Most people have heard of the saying “think outside the box” or some variation of it, like “color outside the lines.” But you might not realize that those concepts are rooted in a psychological processing method called lateral thinking.

So, what is lateral thinking? And more importantly, how can today’s leaders, researchers, and marketers apply it to modern problem-solving and project-based initiatives?

Don't let UX problems go unnoticed

Use Dovetail to analyze all your customer interviews and uncover hidden UX issues that are costing your business every day.

• Understanding lateral thinking

Lateral thinking is a solutions-based series of techniques that help the user reframe a challenge or problem with a renewed or more creative perspective. Using new relationships and associations that are not always immediately present can help you change your perspective and identify emerging or new solutions.

This technique also involves employing different methods or paths to achieve an outcome or solve a problem. It applies a creative approach.

In that sense, lateral thinking differs from vertical thinking, which is a more linear approach where following predictable steps produces predictable outcomes.

Lateral thinking goes beyond brainstorming. It involves an entire series of steps and intentional mindset methods that ultimately allow you to “think outside the box” to create, solve, and build in new directions and innovative ways. It allows you to challenge norms and break through with more efficient, effective, or resilient outcomes.

• The principles of lateral thinking in UX design

Lateral thinking has four pillars, or principles.

1. The first is the process of recognizing the given problem’s dominant ideas and perceptions.

2. The second pillar involves searching for new ways to look at the problem.

3. The third pillar is letting go of rigid thinking rules, allowing the mind to explore new alternative solutions.

4. The final pillar is the act of coming up with other ideas.

You can use these four core pillars of lateral thinking to break up and recombine the elements in different, unexpected ways to think outside the box. Together, these four principles allow you to step outside of the core issue and reapproach it with fresh eyes, a fresh mindset, and no predispositions.

• Benefits of lateral thinking in UX design

Lateral thinking offers many benefits. Some of the greatest are those leveraged in UX design projects.

Rigid and efficient template formats are great starting points in design, but breaking down those “lines” with lateral thinking enables a designer to “color” outside of them.

• Three modes of thinking in ideation sessions

When you break down your thought processes into lateral thinking ideation sessions, you’ll engage in one of the three modes of thinking below. Whatever it is that you’re creating or solving, you can apply any (or all three) of these modes to tap into the most creative lateral thinking.

Divergent thinking

Divergent thinking is an early-stage form of lateral thinking where you pool together ideas, prioritizing quantity over quality.

Imagine a map with a single idea or problem at the center. You might draw lines outward from that central point to represent new thoughts. Those lines can branch out further with even more ideas.

During this thinking session, you throw all your concepts at the wall—the good, the bad, and the ugly. You don’t need to consider practical constraints. Instead, you can discover even more innovative paths forward.

Often, this type of thinking is also called “blue sky thinking.” It’s creative brainstorming without any limits.

Emergent thinking

If divergent thinking is considered the early stage, emergent thinking is the in-between phase of thought processing. It involves comparing and combining ideas. Here, variations of the original ideas will begin to evolve into new ideas.

This is the idea-building phase where you’ll form new connections, shake things up a bit, and allow sparks of creativity to creep into the solution or design-building process.

Divergent thinking is more chaotic than emergent thinking. Sessions in this phase will allow for trigger stimuli and platforms to develop. It’s here that the really big and exciting ideas can emerge as you move toward completely unforeseen possibilities.

Convergent thinking

Convergent thinking involves closing off the sessions with logical reasoning. You’ll sift through all your ideas, hone in on common themes and ideas, and eliminate those that don’t lead to effective solutions. You’ll narrow down the ideas that fit best by running them through the “filter” of feasibility, visibility, and desirability.

There’s still plenty more to do before you can bring your big ideas to fruition—but this final thinking session is where you can hope to settle on your final solution or idea.

• Elements that influence ideation sessions

Several influential factors will contribute to your ideation sessions. Each of these elements will play a role in your lateral thinking exercise. Take care to recognize and incorporate the factors that make the most sense to your project ideation. Allow those influences to help you forge new designs and solutions moving forward.

Mental modes

You’ll want to consider the mental modes, also known as thinking modes. Understand how you process information and adjust your thinking in a way that will allow you to generate non-traditional or non-linear ideas. Recognize when you’re “coloring inside the lines” so you can determine when it’s okay to step outside of them.

People dynamics

Some people dynamics involve understanding and managing group cohesion in an effort to tap into the collective’s cognitive power. Group dynamics will enable a team approach, which avoids people-related obstacles and improves the generation of new ideas.

Brilliant ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, anytime. Foster an environment where people are comfortable sharing ideas—good and bad—during ideation sessions.

Clear goals

This might seem obvious, but goal-setting influences ideation sessions. Your ideation session will be much more productive if you have clear objectives and have identified potential problems.

It’s a good idea to create a problem statement or point of view before your ideation session begins. From there, you can move into the various modes of thinking with a finish line in mind. You should also outline the roles of the people involved and the project’s requirements.

Tools and methods

You can’t embark on a new project of any kind without first assembling the tools needed to facilitate your efforts. Ideation sessions are no different.

Prepare and leverage any ideation methods and tools you need to help you think beyond the boundaries of traditional problem-solving. Bring in the whiteboards. Introduce a full palette of colors instead of predetermined color combinations. And tap into every tool that encourages lateral thinking processes.

Constraints

Don’t think of constraints as inhibitors. You’ll want to identify and implement the right kind of constraints during your ideation sessions. These will guide your lateral thinking process as a group and in conjunction with the team’s objectives. It can be a chaotic process without a few ground rules in place.

• How to improve lateral thinking

Lateral thinking, like any other human process or function, can be strengthened and improved. Practice the techniques below to build in some muscle memory for breaking free from rigid approaches, allowing more creative freedom when researching and finding solutions.

Mind mapping

Mind mapping involves visualizing your project and process. Write down a central problem or topic, then think of new, related ideas and have them spread out from the center.

Follow these steps when mind mapping:

Identify your central concept

Add branches that correlate to your concept

Add additional terms to expand your reach and search efforts

Incorporate images and colors to stimulate new ideas and visually connect them

Embrace each team member’s ideas and perceptions

Using your senses

Another way to improve lateral thinking is by getting back to basics and using your five senses. Critically think about how you perceive the concept before you. Think shape, size, environmental sounds, and touch. When you’re mindful of the five senses, you can expand your creative thinking to include innovative new ideas.

Reverse thinking

You can also incorporate reverse thinking to improve your efforts. With this technique, you identify the solution or next step that most other people would adopt. Then, explore solutions for the opposite.

Don’t be afraid to challenge your own thinking. For example, perhaps you’re not a fan of the color green, so you avoid this color in every design project you take on. Recognize your preconceived notions so you can break free of them during your ideation sessions.

• Tips for incorporating lateral thinking in UX design

As a digital creator or professional interested in exploring lateral thinking methods for UX design, you’ll benefit from these techniques. You’re in an artistic field, so you will naturally want creative freedom. However, there are rules to follow when it comes to effective UX designs.

Consider these tips to help you find your perfect creative, yet effective, balance for lateral thinking.

Be aware of your traditional or default thought processes so that you can explore beyond them.

Open yourself up to random and unassociated stimulation, like taking a different route than usual, listening to a podcast, or having a conversation with a stranger.

Always be looking for alternatives and take more time to think of other options.

Find transitional objects or bridges to new concepts. A transitional object is something that embodies certain characteristics that you can use as inspiration for new ideas.

Ask random questions about your designs and techniques.

Challenge your habits regularly.

Alter your thinking by doing things like reversing the relationship between parts of a problem or going in the opposite direction of what’s implied.

• Examples of lateral thinking in UX design

Lateral thinking and the processes involved can be hard to grasp if you’re unfamiliar with the techniques. To help you visualize how to apply these processes to your UX design projects, check out the following design-related examples:

Incorporating new formats that contradict design norms

Forming new angles where most designs incorporate rigid symmetry

Sampling color combinations not traditionally used in UX design

Breaking free of template designs to favor new flows of online user experiences

What is lateral thinking vs. vertical thinking?

A vertical thinking method relies heavily on logic and patterns for more rigid decision-making.

Lateral thinking, on the other hand, embraces a more creative method for seeking and identifying new ways to approach decision-making. This technique results in innovation, whereas vertical thinking results in predetermined or expected results.

What is creative thinking vs. lateral thinking?

Creative thinking is a broad term used to describe how you might explore all possibilities. Lateral thinking is similar because it also takes a more creative approach, but it’s more structured. It involves a series of processes and considers a host of factors to intentionally explore beyond traditional formats or boundaries. It’s an expressed method of creative thinking.

Is lateral thinking necessary for creativity?

Being creative as a stand-alone concept can be challenging if you don’t apply some methods and structure. Lateral thinking is essential for results-driven creativity. It allows you to apply specific methods to be more effective creatively.

Is lateral thinking the same as brainstorming?

Think of brainstorming or life-storming (where you reflect on your experiences to draw inspiration) as a step in the lateral thinking process. Lateral thinking encompasses all the steps from mindset to ideation sessions, including brainstorming beyond normal interpretations.

Why is lateral thinking important for problem-solving?

There’s no sense in trying to reinvent the wheel if there’s already a solution to an existing problem. However, problems tend to shift and present new challenges that call for new solutions. Sometimes, existing solutions can still be improved for better efficiency or engagement. Lateral thinking is pivotal in any problem-solving endeavor that calls for innovation.

Start coloring outside the lines and thinking outside the box with lateral thinking strategies. It’s how today’s designers, researchers, and problem-solvers find new and innovative ways forward. When you can apply methods and processes to your creativity, you can explore entirely new solutions and discover ground-breaking results.

Should you be using a customer insights hub?

Do you want to discover previous user research faster?

Do you share your user research findings with others?

Do you analyze user research data?

Start for free today, add your research, and get to key insights faster

Editor’s picks

Last updated: 25 June 2023

Last updated: 18 April 2023

Last updated: 15 January 2024

Last updated: 27 February 2023

Last updated: 24 June 2023

Last updated: 29 May 2023

Last updated: 14 March 2023

Last updated: 19 May 2023

Last updated: 30 April 2024

Last updated: 13 April 2023

Last updated: 7 July 2023

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Last updated: 11 January 2024

Last updated: 13 May 2024

Latest articles

Related topics, .css-je19u9{-webkit-align-items:flex-end;-webkit-box-align:flex-end;-ms-flex-align:flex-end;align-items:flex-end;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;row-gap:0;text-align:center;max-width:671px;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}}@media (max-width: 799px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}} decide what to .css-1kiodld{max-height:56px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-1kiodld{display:none;}} build next, decide what to build next.

Users report unexpectedly high data usage, especially during streaming sessions.

Users find it hard to navigate from the home page to relevant playlists in the app.

It would be great to have a sleep timer feature, especially for bedtime listening.

I need better filters to find the songs or artists I’m looking for.

Log in or sign up

Get started for free

Definition of Lateral Thinking

Lateral Thinking is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes thinking outside the box and exploring unconventional solutions. It involves breaking away from traditional linear thinking patterns and adopting a more creative and flexible mindset.

Characteristics of Lateral Thinking

• Non-linear: Lateral thinking encourages free-flowing, imaginative, and nonlinear thoughts to discover new possibilities and perspectives.
• Explorative: It promotes exploration of alternative ideas, often taking unexpected paths to find innovative solutions.
• Challenging assumptions: Lateral thinking challenges the assumptions and beliefs that may limit problem-solving by encouraging individuals to question established norms.
• Out-of-the-box: It focuses on generating fresh ideas and unconventional approaches by breaking away from conventional and predictable thinking methods.
• Provocative: Lateral thinking employs provocative techniques, such as random stimuli or provoking questions, to stimulate creativity and trigger new ways of thinking.
• Flexible: This approach encourages flexibility in considering multiple viewpoints and possibilities, enabling adaptation to changing circumstances.
• Iterative: It often involves multiple iterations, refining ideas and building upon previous solutions to evolve towards breakthrough ideas.

Applications of Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking finds applications across various domains, including:

• Innovation and Creativity: Lateral thinking is invaluable for generating fresh ideas, fostering creativity, and overcoming mental blocks that hinder innovation.
• Complex Problem Solving: It helps in tackling complex problems by approaching them from different angles, exploring unconventional solutions, and breaking down assumptions.
• Design and Product Development: Lateral thinking allows designers and developers to approach product design from unique perspectives, leading to innovative and user-centric solutions.
• Marketing and Advertising: It aids in developing attention-grabbing and effective marketing campaigns by employing inventive and out-of-the-ordinary strategies.
• Business Strategy: Lateral thinking assists in creating strategic plans, identifying new market opportunities, and navigating unforeseen challenges in a dynamic business environment.
• Personal Development: It enhances individual creativity, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, allowing personal growth and development.

• Get started Get started for free

Figma design

Design and prototype in one place

Collaborate with a digital whiteboard

Translate designs into code

Get the desktop, mobile, and font installer apps

See the latest features and releases

• Prototyping
• Design systems
• Wireframing
• Online whiteboard
• Team meetings
• Strategic planning
• Brainstorming
• Diagramming
• Product development
• Web development
• Design handoff
• Product managers

Organizations

Config 2024

Register to attend in person or online — June 26–27

Creator fund

Build and sell what you love

User groups

Join a local Friends of Figma group

Learn best practices at virtual events

Customer stories

Read about leading product teams

Stories about bringing new ideas to life

Get started

• Developer docs
• Best practices
• Reports & insights
• Resource library
• Help center

Lateral thinking explained

New solutions to your design challenges may be hiding just beyond the reach of conventional thinking. Teams often tackle problems with step-by-step logic—but it takes more than logical thinking to come up with original ideas. To shake up the status quo, innovative brands use lateral thinking. This type of thinking helps teams explore creative ideas that captivate customers—and boost the bottom line.

Read on to learn more about:

• What lateral thinking is, and how it can change thought processes
• Why lateral thinking skills matter
• 4 ways to apply lateral thinking with pro tips and tools from Figma

What is lateral thinking?

Lateral thinking is a creative approach to problem-solving to unlock breakthrough solutions. Business decision-making often relies on strict logic, or linear argument —but lateral thinking challenges standard thought patterns and fixed mindsets. Teams apply divergent thinking instead, defying accepted biases and assumptions with creative approaches and alternate solutions that wow customers.

Why lateral thinking skills matter

Conventional critical thinking isn’t enough to succeed in today’s crowded marketplace. With lateral thinking, businesses foster new thinking patterns and problem-solving skills to find creative solutions. Key benefits of lateral thinking techniques include:

• Increased innovation. Companies can explore uncharted waters to create game-changing products, services, and processes. Innovative examples of lateral thinking include the Dyson vacuum cleaner (no more vacuum bags), Nintendo Game Boy (games on the go) and Uber rideshare app (real-time ride tracking).
• Enhanced creativity. Lateral thinking builds a culture that questions assumptions and welcomes diverse viewpoints. This encourages teams to think big and share ideas freely.
• Better problem-solving. Lateral thinking helps teams break through mental blocks, approach persistent problems from new starting points, and arrive at novel solutions.
• Greater adaptability. Lateral thinking helps businesses adapt quickly to new trends and challenges—and disrupt the market with fresh approaches.

Lateral thinking vs. vertical thinking

Psychologist Edward de Bono 's The Use of Lateral Thinking proposed this creative way to solve problems in the 1960s. “Lateral thinking is for changing concepts and perceptions instead of trying harder with the same concepts and perceptions,” he said. Lateral thinking values free-wheeling ideation for big, bold ideas instead of tried-and-true concepts (i.e., vertical thinking). With its rigorous top-down logic, vertical thinking can be useful to refine new ideas.

4 ways to exercise lateral thinking

Lateral thinking unlocks hidden potential, paving the way for more engaging user experiences. Here are four ways to put lateral thinking to work for your team:

• Host brainstorming sessions. Creative brainstorms like SCAMPER (substitute, combine, adapt, magnify, put to other use, eliminate, reverse) spark fresh ideas to improve products and services. To encourage blue-sky thinking, use random stimulation (aka random entry brainstorming) to generate a random word as a brainstorming prompt. Pro tip for design teams: use a randomizer to try out random designs.
• Start mind mapping. Visual mind maps capture a central idea and reveal connections to related ideas. Use a mind-mapping template to break through linear thinking and reach creative breakthroughs faster.
• Try six thinking hats . This technique invites participants to examine problems from six distinct perspectives . You might try on the red hat to explore a problem with feelings and gut instinct—then switch to the black hat to assess concepts according to possible risks.
• Lateral-thinking puzzles , brain teasers, and riddles help disrupt typical thought patterns. Teams use them as icebreakers or thought starters to find creative, unexpected solutions that meet user needs.

3 pro tips for lateral thinkers

To make the most of lateral thinking, keep three key tips in mind:

• Lateral thinking is a journey , not a destination. Continuous practice and exploration make creative thinking second nature.
• Look at challenges as opportunities to flex your lateral thinking muscles. The tougher the obstacle, the more rewarding the creative outcome.
• Don't be afraid to fail. Use mistakes as stepping stones to breakthrough discoveries that deliver captivating solutions.

Jumpstart lateral thinking with Figma

Kick off lateral thinking with brainstorm sessions on FigJam’s online collaborative whiteboard —or take your pick of FigJam’s brainstorming templates . Sketch out team ideas with a mind map , and you'll find unexpected connections among them.

For more inspiration, check out Figma’s community-built mind mapping examples and templates —including Carter’s popular mind map tool .

Ready to get your team's creativity flowing?

Keep reading.

What is UI design

What is UI design today, and what role does it play in the design thinking process?

What is visual hierarchy

If everything looks the same, then you see nothing. Visual hierarchy can change that.

Read on to find out what it takes to design engaging UI, and create a memorable UX.

• Search Search Search …
• Search Search …

Lateral Thinking Exercises: Enhance Creativity and Problem Solving Skills

Lateral thinking exercises are designed to challenge conventional patterns of thought and inspire creative problem-solving. These exercises encourage individuals to consider novel perspectives and explore unconventional solutions to seemingly complex problems. By engaging in lateral thinking exercises, one can tap into the power of thinking outside the box and develop the ability to approach challenges with a fresh, innovative mindset.

The concept of lateral thinking was coined by Edward De Bono in 1973 and has since gained popularity as a key component of creative and critical thinking methods. Applying lateral thinking techniques allows individuals to break free of habitual thought patterns and uncover previously unconsidered possibilities. This approach is valuable not only for personal development but also for driving innovation and progress in various fields, including business, science, and technology.

Key Takeaways

• Lateral thinking exercises foster creativity and innovation by challenging conventional thought patterns.
• Techniques used in lateral thinking help individuals break free from habitual thinking and discover new possibilities.
• The concept of lateral thinking is applicable across various fields, promoting innovation and problem-solving.

Understanding Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking, a term developed by Edward de Bono in 1973, is an approach to problem-solving that aims to generate creative solutions instead of the most straightforward ones. It is sometimes referred to as horizontal thinking or divergent thinking, in contrast to vertical thinking, which follows a more linear and logical path. The key to lateral thinking is exploring alternative perspectives, embracing change, and often causing disruption to traditional ways of thinking.

An essential aspect of lateral thinking is its flexibility and adaptability, enabling individuals to tackle problems from unique or unexpected points of view. It encourages the generation of multiple alternatives and innovative solutions, allowing for a better understanding of complex situations. Practitioners of lateral thinking understand that the most obvious solution may not always be the best one, and they strive to examine all the possibilities.

In contrast, vertical thinking is about following established patterns and sequences, typically relying on logic, past experience, and existing knowledge. Although vertical thinking can be effective in many situations, it may not be the most suitable approach when dealing with complex, dynamic, or novel problems. Lateral thinking complements vertical thinking by challenging assumptions, offering fresh angles, and ultimately leading to more innovative solutions.

The application of lateral thinking can bring significant changes and disruption to traditional methods and beliefs. By identifying and exploring alternatives, lateral thinkers can uncover novel ways to address challenges or capitalize on opportunities, potentially transforming industries, organizations, or beliefs.

Using lateral thinking exercises, such as the famous “one egg left in the carton” puzzle, can help individuals sharpen their creative skills and nurture an innovative mindset. The ability to think laterally can be invaluable in various personal and professional contexts, enabling people to solve problems effectively, adapt to changing circumstances, and leverage their ingenuity to make a difference.

The Art and Science of Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking is a creative approach to problem-solving that combines art, creativity, and logic to yield innovative and unexpected solutions. Developed by psychologist Edward de Bono in the 1970s, lateral thinking encourages a shift in perspective to break free from conventional reasoning methods.

Unlike critical thinking, which relies heavily on logic, analysis, and direct reasoning, lateral thinking adopts a more indirect approach. This allows individuals to explore a wider range of possibilities, encouraging creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. By fostering an open-minded environment, lateral thinking techniques can lead to unique and effective solutions.

One key aspect of lateral thinking is its emphasis on being aware of the thought process itself. By understanding how the mind processes information, individuals can learn to identify and resist established patterns, paving the way for innovation. This awareness is crucial in enabling individuals to push the boundaries of traditional reasoning.

A cornerstone of lateral thinking is the use of random stimulation to spark new ideas and thought patterns. This tool drives creativity, often leading to surprising and impactful insights. Random stimulation can take various forms, from introducing unrelated elements to a problem to brainstorming without restrictions to letting the subconscious mind work on a problem during moments of relaxation.

In summary, lateral thinking is a versatile and dynamic method that thrives at the intersection of art, creativity, and logic. Its core principles, namely an emphasis on awareness, random stimulation, and the cultivation of a creative and open-minded environment, empower individuals to break away from limiting thought patterns and explore new frontiers in problem-solving. By employing lateral thinking techniques, innovative and often unexpected solutions can be discovered.

Lateral Thinking Techniques

Six thinking hats.

The Six Thinking Hats method, developed by Edward de Bono, is an effective technique for enhancing lateral thinking. This approach encourages individuals to view problems from multiple perspectives by wearing six metaphorical “hats,” each representing a distinct way of thinking. By temporarily adopting these different mental states, individuals can explore alternative solutions, identify potential challenges, and ultimately foster innovation.

Mind Mapping

Another popular lateral thinking technique is Mind Mapping . Mind mapping involves visually organizing information, often through the use of diagrams or charts. To create a mind map, one starts with a central idea or problem and branches out to related concepts, themes, or possible solutions. This technique helps clarify complex issues, uncover hidden connections, and stimulate new ways of thinking. Additionally, mind maps can be an effective tool for collaborative problem-solving, as they provide a clear, visual representation of ideas that can be easily shared and discussed.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a well-known lateral thinking technique that encourages the generation of numerous ideas in a short amount of time. Brainstorming sessions typically involve a group of individuals working together to find creative solutions to a given problem or challenge. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts freely, without judgment or criticism, in order to foster an open atmosphere for exploration and innovation. After a brainstorming session, ideas can be evaluated, refined, and prioritized, leading to a more effective problem-solving process.

Lateral Thinking in Problem Solving

Lateral thinking is an essential skill for tackling complex problems and finding innovative solutions. This cognitive process involves looking at problems from different perspectives, breaking free from conventional thinking patterns, and considering alternative solutions to reach a desired outcome.

In problem-solving scenarios, lateral thinking helps individuals to think beyond their learned methods and biases. By incorporating a range of techniques, one can stimulate their mind to explore unchartered territories and generate unique ideas. Some of these techniques include brainstorming, mind mapping, and analyzing assumptions.

Problems come in various shapes and sizes, and conventional problem-solving approaches may not always be effective. Lateral thinking can be especially helpful when confronted with seemingly unsolvable problems or when conventional methods have exhausted their potential.

One way to enhance lateral thinking skills is through engaging in brain teasers and puzzles. These exercises often require individuals to discard their preconceived notions and adopt new ways of contemplating problems. Lateral thinking puzzles are a fun and engaging way to challenge the mind and expand creativity.

When applied to real-life scenarios, lateral thinking can lead to innovative solutions that may not have been considered otherwise. By encouraging an environment of open-mindedness and curiosity, both individuals and organizations can benefit from the creative problem-solving opportunities that arise from lateral thinking.

Incorporating Lateral Thinking in Various Fields

In advertising.

Lateral thinking in the advertising industry is essential for marketers to develop creative and innovative campaigns capable of capturing the attention of consumers. By challenging the status quo and looking for alternative perspectives, marketers can create memorable ads that differentiate their brand from the competition. This approach enables businesses to adapt to the ever-changing environment, make better use of resources, and achieve a higher return on investment.

Examples of lateral thinking in advertising include:

• Storytelling : Presenting a product through an engaging narrative to create an emotional connection with the audience.
• Disruptive visuals : Using unexpected visual elements to grab attention and provoke curiosity about the product or service.

The media industry can also benefit from incorporating lateral thinking techniques by encouraging the exploration of new ideas and underrepresented stories. Journalists, producers, and content creators can apply horizontal thinking strategies to spark conversations, challenge common assumptions, and provide fresh perspectives on current issues. A willingness to think outside the box in media helps establish an open, diverse environment that can drive change and foster innovative solutions.

For example, consider the following applications:

• Investigative journalism : Detectives and journalists may use lateral thinking to uncover new leads and connections in complicated cases.
• Scriptwriting : Writers can create captivating narratives that break from conventional tropes and explore unique scenarios.

In Workplace

Lateral thinking in the workplace is valuable for promoting a more dynamic and collaborative environment. Employees who are encouraged to think creatively are more likely to come up with innovative solutions to problems, spot new opportunities, and approach challenges with a fresh perspective. This can lead to improved productivity, increased job satisfaction, and a more agile and adaptable organization.

Ways to implement lateral thinking in the workplace:

• Brainstorming : Regularly engage in brainstorming sessions, emphasizing free thinking and open-ended discussions.
• Training : Provide training on lateral thinking techniques and encourage employees to apply them within their roles.

In Leadership

Incorporating lateral thinking in leadership practices can have a profound impact on a company’s overall success. Leaders who embrace horizontal thinking often cultivate an open-minded and inclusive culture, empowering team members to take risks, iterate, and learn from failures. This mindset fosters creativity and innovation, ultimately giving the organization a competitive advantage in various industries.

Effective applications of lateral thinking in leadership include:

• Strategic planning : Questioning assumptions, looking for alternative ways to achieve objectives, and embracing uncertainty as a way to innovate.
• Encouraging diverse perspectives : Actively seeking input from individuals with different backgrounds and experiences to generate a wider range of ideas and solutions.

Lateral Thinking and Artificial Intelligence

Lateral thinking is a skill that can help solve problems creatively, generate new ideas, and challenge assumptions. It involves looking at issues from various perspectives, often considering unconventional and non-linear approaches. In this context, the integration of lateral thinking into artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to lead to innovative and more adaptable AI solutions.

AI systems have traditionally focused on logical and analytical problem-solving, which can sometimes struggle with finding creative or unconventional solutions. By incorporating lateral thinking techniques into AI algorithms, AI systems can potentially overcome some of these limitations. This approach can enable AI systems to tackle problems that require outside-the-box thinking, adaptability, and a more human-like understanding of complex situations.

Some researchers are working on developing AI systems with lateral thinking capabilities. One approach involves using random stimulation, where AI algorithms are fed random inputs to encourage them to explore unique solution paths. Another technique includes implementing alternative and altered perspectives, allowing AI to challenge its own assumptions and consider a broader range of possibilities.

Developing AI models with lateral thinking abilities can have numerous applications across various industries and domains. For example, in product design, an AI system with lateral thinking capabilities might discover innovative and previously unconsidered design solutions. In medicine, AI-powered lateral thinking could lead to novel treatments or diagnostic techniques that significantly improve patient outcomes.

Ultimately, incorporating lateral thinking into AI has the potential to make AI systems more adaptable, creative, and capable of tackling complex problems. As research in this area progresses, we can expect to see AI systems that not only think more like humans but also potentially surpass human capabilities in terms of problem-solving and innovation.

Benefits of Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking offers numerous benefits to individuals and organizations, as it promotes a creative approach to problem-solving. By considering alternatives and embracing disruption, lateral thinking helps foster imagination and innovation.

One of the key advantages of lateral thinking is its ability to break the status quo and promote flexibility in thought processes. This approach allows for the identification of unconventional solutions that may not be immediately obvious. Exploring different perspectives leads to a more comprehensive understanding of complex challenges and encourages the development of unique solutions.

Furthermore, lateral thinking enhances self-awareness and allows individuals to become more attuned to their thought patterns and decision-making processes. This heightened self-awareness leads to better self-management and can improve leadership skills. By understanding and embracing a range of diverse ideas, leaders can make better-informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.

In addition to fostering a creative mindset, lateral thinking helps to strengthen teamwork and collaboration. By incorporating diverse perspectives and encouraging the sharing of ideas, teams can develop a more holistic understanding of challenges they face. A deepened sense of empathy and respect for the unique contributions of each member can lead to more innovative solutions.

Overall, the practice of lateral thinking contributes to the development of individuals and organizations by opening up new avenues for problem-solving, promoting a flexible and adaptable mindset, enhancing self-awareness, and strengthening leadership and collaboration.

Lateral Thinking Exercises and Examples

Lateral thinking exercises challenge the traditional thought patterns and stimulate the mind to find creative solutions. These exercises, puzzles, and brain teasers rely on unconventional thinking, breaking free from linear, step-by-step logic.

One example of a lateral thinking exercise is the random objects technique. In this method, individuals are provided with a random stimulus, such as a word or object, and then encouraged to make connections between that object and the issue they want to resolve. By forcing oneself to consider unrelated items, the brain may discover novel solutions.

Another type of exercise involves challenging assumptions. To practice this, create a list of assumptions around a particular problem, and then deliberately contradict them. With these new perspectives, it becomes easier to see alternative solutions that may have been missed before. For instance, in the classic “nine dots” puzzle, participants are asked to connect all nine dots using four straight lines without lifting the pencil from the paper. Many individuals assume the lines must remain within the grid, but the solution requires going outside the grid’s boundaries.

Provocative operation is another lateral thinking technique focused on generating unique ideas. This method introduces absurd statements or wild ideas, which are intentionally illogical or unrealistic. The goal is to find the hidden value in these provocations and derive innovative ideas from them. For example, imagine a car that runs on water instead of gasoline. This notion might inspire ideas for alternative fuel sources.

Finally, the concept of “backwards planning” can also be applied in lateral thinking exercises. In this method, we start at the desired outcome and work our way back to the current situation. By reversing the linear thinking process, we can identify new pathways to reach the objective, which might not have been obvious when working forwards.

In conclusion, practicing lateral thinking exercises using techniques such as random objects, challenging assumptions, provocative operation, and backwards planning can be valuable in developing creative solutions to complex problems. By engaging in these exercises, individuals can break free from traditional thought patterns and find innovative ways to approach challenges.

You may also like

Lateral Thinking vs Vertical Thinking: Harnessing Different Thought Processes for Problem Solving

Lateral thinking and vertical thinking represent two distinct approaches to problem-solving and reasoning. Lateral thinking, often associated with creativity and the ability […]

Lateral Thinking vs Creative Thinking: Understanding Different Problem-Solving Approaches

Lateral thinking and creative thinking are often used interchangeably, signaling a departure from conventional logic to generate innovative solutions and ideas. Lateral […]

Lateral Thinking and Problem Solving

Lateral thinking is a form of creative reasoning that allows people to approach a problem and formulate innovative solutions. This form of […]

Top 5 Lateral Thinking Puzzles (Tips and Answers Included)

One of the best ways to improve at lateral thinking is to practice with lateral thinking puzzles. Even if you do not […]

• Reviews / Why join our community?
• For companies
• Frequently asked questions

Lateral Thinking

What is lateral thinking.

Lateral thinking (horizontal thinking) is a form of ideation where designers approach problems by using reasoning that is disruptive or not immediately obvious. They use indirect and creative methods to think outside the box and see problems from radically new angles, gaining insights to help find innovative solutions.

“You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.” — Dr. Edward de Bono, Brain-training pioneer who devised lateral thinking 

See how lateral thinking can stretch towards powerful, “impossible” solutions:

• Transcript loading…

Lateral Thinking helps Break Out of the Box

Many problems (e.g., mathematical ones) require the vertical, analytical, step-by-step approach we’re so familiar with. Called linear thinking , it’s based on logic, existing solutions and experience: You know where to start and what to do to reach a solution, like following a recipe. However, many design problems—particularly, wicked problems —are too complex for this critical path of reasoning. They may have several potential solutions. Also, they won’t offer clues; unless we realize our way of thinking is usually locked into a tight space and we need a completely different approach.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0

That’s where lateral thinking comes in – essentially thinking outside the box. “The box” refers to the apparent constraints of the design space and our limited perspective from habitually meeting problems head-on and linearly. Designers often don’t realize what their limitations are when considering problems – hence why lateral thinking is invaluable in (e.g.) the design thinking process. Rather than be trapped by logic and assumptions, you learn to stand back and use your imagination to see the big picture when you:

Focus on overlooked aspects of a situation/problem .

Challenge assumptions – to break free from traditional ways of understanding a problem/concept/solution.

Seek alternatives – not just alternative potential solutions, but alternative ways of thinking about problems .

When you do this, you tap into disruptive thinking and can turn an existing paradigm on its head. Notable examples include:

The mobile defibrillator and mobile coronary care – Instead of trying to resuscitate heart-attack victims once they’re in hospital, treat them at the scene .

Uber – Instead of investing in a fleet of taxicabs, have drivers use their own cars .

Rather than focus on channeling more resources into established solutions to improve them, these innovators assessed their problems creatively and uncovered game-changing (and life-changing) insights.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to Get Fresh Perspectives with Lateral Thinking 

For optimal results, use lateral thinking early in the divergent stages of ideation . You want to reframe the problem and:

Understand what’s constraining you and why .

Find new strategies to solutions and places/angles to start exploring .

Find the apparent edges of your design space and push beyond them – to reveal the bigger picture.

You can use various methods. A main approach is provocations : namely, to make deliberately false statements about an aspect of the problem/situation . This could be to question the norms through contradiction, distortion, reversal (i.e., of assumptions), wishful thinking or escapism , for example:

Here, we see the norm of conventional schooling challenged and some unpredictable (and even outrageous) notions to trigger our thinking. Our example showcases this method:

Bad Ideas – You think up as many bad or crazy ideas as possible, but these might have potentially good aspects (e.g., helping children specialize in desired subjects earlier). You also establish why bad aspects are bad (e.g., inserting biochips would be a gross violation of human rights).

Other helpful methods include:

Random Metaphors

Randomly pick an item near you or word from a dictionary and write down as many aspects/associations about it as possible. E.g., “Exhibition” – “visitors walk around enjoying paintings”; “learn about cultures”; “pleasant environment”.

Pretend some genius in your field told you this item/word is a good metaphor for your project. E.g., you can organize information, tips and images for your travel-related app to also act like an art/museum exhibition, so anyone can enjoy an interesting tour of a given location.

Use the metaphors you think of to improve your design/product. E.g., you create a captivating app which virtual tourists can enjoy with (e.g.) virtual reality features.

SCAMPER – To help generate ideas for new solutions, ask 7 different types of questions to help understand how you might innovate and improve existing products, services, concepts, etc. SCAMPER is remarkably easy to learn and efficient in ideation sessions.

Six Thinking Hats – To reach for alternative viewpoints, you examine problems from 6 perspectives, one at a time (e.g., white hat = focusing on available data; black hat = focusing on potentially negative outcomes). 

Overall, it’s important to stay aware of where ideation sessions are going. You may need to pause to redirect the group’s thinking or introduce a new trigger/provocation to help the creative process. Later, you use convergent thinking to isolate optimal solutions.

Learn More about Lateral Thinking

Take our Creativity course , featuring lateral thinking.

This thought-provoking Smashing Magazine blog explores l ateral thinking with more techniques .

Read one design team’s insightful account about lateral thinking .

Questions related to Lateral Thinking

Lateral thinking is changing your approach to solve problems or generate new ideas. Take Edward de Bono’s ‘Six Thinking Hats’ as an example of lateral thinking. It involves adopting different roles to approach problems. This video shows how to break free from your usual thinking patterns.

Imagine a person who is generally optimistic. Using the ' black hat ' approach, they could try looking at things negatively. This might help them find new, innovative solutions that they wouldn't have thought of. They can gain a better understanding of the situation by changing their perspective.

The four lateral thinking techniques are:

Provocation : This involves disrupting conventional thinking patterns with unusual ideas.

Challenge : The challenge is about questioning the status quo. It’s about looking at things as if they might be wrong, even if they seem right. This approach encourages deeper analysis and alternative viewpoints.

Random Entry : This technique generates new ideas using a random word or idea as a starting point. It creates connections that may not be immediately noticeable.

Alternatives : It focuses on shifting thinking patterns by exploring various directions and possibilities.

All these techniques encourage thinking outside the box and fostering creativity.

Lateral thinking and linear thinking are two distinct approaches to problem-solving. Linear thinking is sequential and logical. It follows a straight, step-by-step path that relies on data and analysis. It focuses on following the standard path of reasoning going along, as Alan Dix describes it. 

Lateral thinking is non-linear. It involves creativity and looking at problems from various angles. It’s about challenging assumptions and exploring unconventional solutions. 

Linear thinking concentrates on details and processes. Whereas lateral thinking emphasizes brainstorming and producing innovative ideas. Both are valuable, but they approach problems from different perspectives.

Yes, lateral thinking is a valuable skill. It's a problem-solving approach that stresses creative thinking. Unlike traditional linear thinking, it's about exploring diverse ideas. You can hone this skill through practice, challenging assumptions, making unexpected connections, and approaching problems from fresh angles. 

People skilled in lateral thinking are often adept at generating innovative solutions . Many fields, especially those requiring innovation and creativity, value this skill.

Lateral thinking often aligns with intelligence distinct from traditional measures like IQ. Intelligence manifests in various forms, and lateral thinking showcases creative, problem-solving intelligence. Lateral thinkers view things from unique perspectives. They create innovative ideas and link unrelated concepts. This ability marks an essential aspect of creative intelligence. 

This video discusses problem redefinition and negotiation in real-world scenarios. Traditional intelligence focuses on finding a single right solution using given information. But lateral thinking is like solving real-world problems. This approach holds significant value in fields that demand innovation and creative problem-solving. Here, Professor Alan Dix discusses 

While different from traditional logical thinking, lateral thinking has its logic. It’s not illogical or random. Instead, it follows a distinct reasoning that prioritizes creativity and innovation. Traditional logic is linear and sequential. It focuses on reaching conclusions based on existing knowledge and facts. 

Lateral thinking involves looking at problems from new angles and making unexpected connections. Lateral thinking is a creative way of problem-solving. It can help you find unique and practical solutions. Lateral thinking is a powerful tool when conventional logic doesn't work. Check out this video to learn about different types of creativity and what can get in the way of being creative.

• Copyright holder: Bengt Oberger. Appearance time: 2:18 - 2:23 Copyright license and terms: CC-BY-SA-4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Margaret_Boden_01.JPG
• Copyright holder: Niklas Morberg. Appearance time: 5:27 - 5:32 Copyright license and terms: CC BY-SA 2.0 Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/morberg/3231304833

Lateral thinking and brainstorming are similar yet different. Lateral thinking helps solve problems using creative and unconventional approaches. It breaks away from traditional methods.

Brainstorming is a group activity where people contribute ideas without judgment to solve a problem. It generates creative solutions.

Lateral thinking can be a solitary or group activity and it focuses on thinking differently. It's a specific approach to problem-solving that emphasizes creativity.

Lateral thinking is crucial because it fosters creativity and innovation. It allows you to explore new ideas and solutions that conventional, linear thinking might not reveal. Lateral thinking helps adapt to new challenges and situations. It encourages looking at problems from multiple perspectives. This leads to more comprehensive and sometimes unexpected solutions. This type of thinking is crucial in innovative fields like business, technology, and design. 

Lateral thinking breaks from traditional thought patterns and contributes to advancements and breakthroughs. It enhances problem-solving skills and promotes a more dynamic approach to challenges.

Yes, lateral thinking is a form of divergent thinking . Divergent thinking is about spontaneously generating diverse ideas or solutions to a problem. Lateral thinking, a term coined by Edward de Bono, is a specific kind of divergent thinking. It looks at problems from new and unusual angles and seeks innovative solutions outside conventions. 

Divergent thinking is a broader concept encompassing various methods of generating creative ideas. Lateral thinking focuses more on breaking conventional patterns and thinking beyond the norm. Both are key in creative processes, encouraging broad exploration of possibilities.

You can take the creativity course featuring lateral thinking to learn more about lateral thinking. This course would be a more in-depth and interactive way to learn. The course will also help develop your lateral thinking skills through practical applications.

Literature on Lateral Thinking

Here’s the entire UX literature on Lateral Thinking by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about Lateral Thinking

Take a deep dive into Lateral Thinking with our course Creativity: Methods to Design Better Products and Services .

The overall goal of this course is to help you design better products, services and experiences by helping you and your team develop innovative and useful solutions. You’ll learn a human-focused, creative design process.

We’re going to show you what creativity is as well as a wealth of ideation methods ―both for generating new ideas and for developing your ideas further. You’ll learn skills and step-by-step methods you can use throughout the entire creative process. We’ll supply you with lots of templates and guides so by the end of the course you’ll have lots of hands-on methods you can use for your and your team’s ideation sessions. You’re also going to learn how to plan and time-manage a creative process effectively.

Most of us need to be creative in our work regardless of if we design user interfaces, write content for a website, work out appropriate workflows for an organization or program new algorithms for system backend. However, we all get those times when the creative step, which we so desperately need, simply does not come. That can seem scary—but trust us when we say that anyone can learn how to be creative­ on demand . This course will teach you ways to break the impasse of the empty page. We'll teach you methods which will help you find novel and useful solutions to a particular problem, be it in interaction design, graphics, code or something completely different. It’s not a magic creativity machine, but when you learn to put yourself in this creative mental state, new and exciting things will happen.

In the “Build Your Portfolio: Ideation Project” , you’ll find a series of practical exercises which together form a complete ideation project so you can get your hands dirty right away. If you want to complete these optional exercises, you will get hands-on experience with the methods you learn and in the process you’ll create a case study for your portfolio which you can show your future employer or freelance customers.

Your instructor is Alan Dix . He’s a creativity expert, professor and co-author of the most popular and impactful textbook in the field of Human-Computer Interaction. Alan has worked with creativity for the last 30+ years, and he’ll teach you his favorite techniques as well as show you how to make room for creativity in your everyday work and life.

You earn a verifiable and industry-trusted Course Certificate once you’ve completed the course. You can highlight it on your resume , your LinkedIn profile or your website .

All open-source articles on Lateral Thinking

Learn how to use the worst possible idea method.

• 2 years ago

Understand the Elements and Thinking Modes that Create Fruitful Ideation Sessions

• 3 years ago

Open Access—Link to us!

We believe in Open Access and the  democratization of knowledge . Unfortunately, world-class educational materials such as this page are normally hidden behind paywalls or in expensive textbooks.

If you want this to change , cite this page , link to us, or join us to help us democratize design knowledge !

Privacy Settings

Our digital services use necessary tracking technologies, including third-party cookies, for security, functionality, and to uphold user rights. Optional cookies offer enhanced features, and analytics.

Experience the full potential of our site that remembers your preferences and supports secure sign-in.

Governs the storage of data necessary for maintaining website security, user authentication, and fraud prevention mechanisms.

Enhanced Functionality

Saves your settings and preferences, like your location, for a more personalized experience.

Referral Program

We use cookies to enable our referral program, giving you and your friends discounts.

Error Reporting

We share user ID with Bugsnag and NewRelic to help us track errors and fix issues.

Optimize your experience by allowing us to monitor site usage. You’ll enjoy a smoother, more personalized journey without compromising your privacy.

Analytics Storage

Collects anonymous data on how you navigate and interact, helping us make informed improvements.

Differentiates real visitors from automated bots, ensuring accurate usage data and improving your website experience.

Lets us tailor your digital ads to match your interests, making them more relevant and useful to you.

Advertising Storage

Stores information for better-targeted advertising, enhancing your online ad experience.

Personalization Storage

Permits storing data to personalize content and ads across Google services based on user behavior, enhancing overall user experience.

Advertising Personalization

Allows for content and ad personalization across Google services based on user behavior. This consent enhances user experiences.

Enables personalizing ads based on user data and interactions, allowing for more relevant advertising experiences across Google services.

Receive more relevant advertisements by sharing your interests and behavior with our trusted advertising partners.

Enables better ad targeting and measurement on Meta platforms, making ads you see more relevant.

Allows for improved ad effectiveness and measurement through Meta’s Conversions API, ensuring privacy-compliant data sharing.

LinkedIn Insights

Tracks conversions, retargeting, and web analytics for LinkedIn ad campaigns, enhancing ad relevance and performance.

LinkedIn CAPI

Enhances LinkedIn advertising through server-side event tracking, offering more accurate measurement and personalization.

Google Ads Tag

Tracks ad performance and user engagement, helping deliver ads that are most useful to you.

Share Knowledge, Get Respect!

or copy link

Cite according to academic standards

Simply copy and paste the text below into your bibliographic reference list, onto your blog, or anywhere else. You can also just hyperlink to this page.

New to UX Design? We’re Giving You a Free ebook!

Download our free ebook The Basics of User Experience Design to learn about core concepts of UX design.

In 9 chapters, we’ll cover: conducting user interviews, design thinking, interaction design, mobile UX design, usability, UX research, and many more!

Lateral Thinking

 Getty Images / Westend61

• Homework Tips
• Learning Styles & Skills
• Study Methods
• Time Management
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Lateral thinking is a term developed in 1973 by Edward De Bono, with the publication of his book Lateral thinking: creativity step by step .

Lateral thinking involves looking at a situation or problem from a unique or unexpected point of view .

Using Lateral Thinking

De Bono explained that typical problem-solving attempts involve a linear, step by step approach. More creative answers can arrive from taking a step “sideways” to re-examine a situation or problem from an entirely different and more creative viewpoint.

Imagine that your family arrives home from a weekend trip to find Mom’s favorite vase broken on the floor beside the dining room table. Close examination shows that the family cat’s paw prints are clearly visible on the tabletop.

The logical assumption would be that the cat was walking around on the table and had knocked the vase to the floor. But that is a linear assumption. What if the sequence of events was different? A lateral thinker might consider that the vase broke first, and then the cat jumped onto the table. What could have caused that to happen? Perhaps a small earthquake had occurred while the family was out of town, and the chaos caused by the trembling floor, the odd noises, and the crashing vase had caused the cat to jump onto the furniture? It is a possible answer!

De Bono suggests that lateral thinking is necessary for coming up with solutions that aren’t so straightforward. It is easy to see from the example above that lateral thinking comes into play when solving crimes. Lawyers and detectives do employ lateral thinking when attempting to solve crimes because the sequence of events is often not as straightforward it first appears to be.

Students can find that lateral thinking is an especially useful technique for creative arts. When writing a short story, for example, lateral thinking would be an effective tool for coming up with unexpected twists and turns in a plot.

Lateral thinking is also a skill that researchers use when evaluating evidence or interpreting sources.

• Mini-Lessons to Upgrade Downtime
• Introduction to Critical Thinking
• What Is a Maxim?
• What Is the Law of Effect in Psychology?
• Understanding the "Schrodinger's Cat" Thought Experiment
• Focusing in Composition
• How to Practice Critical Thinking in 4 Steps
• How to Teach Topic Sentences Using Models
• Telling Stories: Sequencing for ESL Students
• How to Select a Science Fair Project Topic
• Organizational Strategies for Using Chronological Order in Writing
• Habitual Past (Grammar)
• Human Error Definition: Glossary of Ergonomics Terms
• Text Organization
• Creativity & Creative Thinking
• Lesson Plan: Area and Perimeter

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Thinking Skills

How to Think Laterally

Last Updated: April 3, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Mary Church, PhD . Dr. Mary Church is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. With over a decade of clinical experience, she aims to integrate evolution, genetics, and neuroscience within the practice of psychotherapy. Dr. Church holds a BS in Psychology from Eckerd College and an MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology from The University of Memphis. She completed a Post-Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The University of Hawaii at Manoa. In addition, Dr. Church is a member of the American Evaluation Association and Hawaii-Pacific Evaluation Association. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 81,953 times.

Have you ever heard the expression "thinking outside the box"? That is essentially what thinking laterally means. When you think laterally, you will stretch your mind to find creative ways to solve problems. You will also start to look at the world from a new perspective. You can take steps to alter your way of thinking. By expanding your creativity and adopting new habits, you can train your brain to think laterally. This can be useful in both your personal and professional life.

Changing Your Thought Process

• Alternatives: Look for different ways to solve problems
• Focus: Train your brain to think more clearly
• Challenge: Think in nontraditional ways
• Random entry: Be open to different lines of thought
• Provocation: Turn a provocative situation into something useful
• Harvesting: Choose the best of your new ideas
• Treatment of ideas: Alter ideas to fit different scenarios

• Take time to wonder. Don't just pass by a construction site, for example. Stop and think, "I wonder what they are building here. I bet you have to have a lot of different permits to build in this neighborhood."
• Try making a list of things you are curious about. You can keep a small notebook on you and jot down thoughts when you are out and about.

• For example, if a friend tells you that they are voting for a certain candidate, ask questions. You can say, "What factors are you basing that on? What is your opinion on climate change?"
• You can question things you read, too. For example, if you are reading an article about the decline of the bee population, ask yourself some questions like, "How could this impact the environment? What are some ways I could be part of a solution?"

• Certain types of puzzles, such as brain teasers, are great for helping hone your problem solving skills.
• You can find puzzles online, or buy a book full of them. Logic puzzles are also great!

Thinking Laterally in Everyday Life

• Identify the problem
• Define the problem
• Examine the options
• Act on a plan
• Look at the consequences

• First, ask questions. You might say, "Why is my dog acting this way? Has something in his life changed? When did this start?"
• Then, apply the IDEAL method. Make sure to use creativity when brainstorming options!

• Work on clarifying the problem. For example, maybe you and your partner have not been getting along lately. Clarify the problem by examining what is really going on.
• Ask yourself questions such as, "Is the other person under a lot of stress at work? Is either of us focusing on our relationship?"
• Once you clarify the problem, you can further your critical thinking by gathering information and looking at the issue from all sides.

• Brainstorm. For example, maybe you want to find money in your budget for a great vacation. Make a list of all of the ways you could save money or make more money.
• Ask for input. Have your friends and family help you come up with new ideas. Don't be afraid to try a new solution!

• Choose a time each day to write in your journal. It could be in the morning, or right before bed.
• Make note of any challenges that you faced throughout the day. Write down the different approaches you used to solve the problem.
• Once a week, take time to read through your journal. You might be surprised at how much progress you are making!

Applying Lateral Thinking at Work

• Approach with this method. For example, if you are in sales, try asking, "What if a similar product comes on the market? How will we promote our product?"
• You could also try, "What if our sales drop? How will we adjust our approach?"
• By approaching problems with questions, you are opening yourself up to view all possibilities and options.

• Maybe your company is growing and you need new office space. You can think outside the box and come up with some great ideas.
• Start brainstorming. Write down anything that comes to mind such as, "New neighborhood? Build our own building? Share space with another company?"
• Flesh out the ideas that could work--and remember to be open to change!

• Maybe you work for a non-profit. If you need to raise more fund, prove that you are up to the challenge.
• You could say, "How can we meet more members of the community? What if we all use our professional networks and reach out to new potential sponsors."

• For example, you could try saying to your boss, "I notice our third quarter numbers are great. Do you have time this week to listen to some ideas I have about how to make them even better?"
• Use your meeting to show that you have thought critically and creatively about your plan.

Expert Q&A

• Be patient. You won't change your way of thinking over night. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Practice. Make sure to employ your lateral thinking skills on a daily basis. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/higher-order-thinking/
• ↑ Mary Church, PhD. Research & Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 6 August 2021.
• ↑ Tara Bradford. Life & Mindset Coach. Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
• ↑ https://media.lanecc.edu/users/kime/Ch7Cproblemsolving.pdf
• ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/5-ways-to-solve-all-your-problems
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thoughts-thinking/202104/3-activities-enhance-your-analysis-in-critical-thinking
• ↑ https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/critical-thinking-in-everyday-life-9-strategies/512
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleepless-in-america/202112/how-sleep-can-help-you-find-creative-solutions-problems
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-power-prime/202204/embrace-life-challenge-pursue-not-threat-avoid

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Bianca Allen

Mar 22, 2017

Did this article help you?

Oct 28, 2017

Sujatha Suresh

Apr 4, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

More From Forbes

The most valuable skill in difficult times is lateral thinking—here’s how to do it.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Lateral thinking is the essence of creativity.

In times of crisis, much gets written about the importance of leaders not “losing their heads.” But, while remaining calm is a pre-requisite of almost all good decision-making, it is only a means to an end.

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.

To regard lateral thinking as the preserve of certain parts of a business—marketing, for example—is tempting. Tempting—and wrong. Take finance. “Very rarely have I seen fresh approaches to fundraising being considered as part of business continuity planning,” says Adam Tilson of Alternative Finance, a specialist in helping organizations raise capital. “But the process is not difficult or necessarily expensive, and there are many opportunities to think outside the box and solve problems.” The key, Tilson suggests, is to not let received wisdom stand in the way—and to find sources of support who are also prepared to innovate. In doing so, le aders “are often able to access radically different solutions and much more flexibility than they might at first believe,” he says.

People management is another area where lateral thinking can bear huge dividends, despite the reputation of HR as highly process-oriented. “The questions that we should be asking in HR are those such as: h ow do we build talent pools for the future?” says David Reay , senior VP of HR at Sony Music Worldwide. “And how do we help people learn quickly and well, by harnessing the power of digital?” He believes that the answers to such questions require not just logical but creative thought. “And they remain the key questions for HR, regardless of might be happening in the outside world.”

The critical point is this: it does not matter a jot what you do or where you work. Everyone has it in them to add transformational value through lateral thinking—even, or especially, in times of change or crisis.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid-19 travel insurance plans.

And it’s an increasingly in-demand skill. Ashleigh Otter, chief of staff at online library Perlego, agrees. “The ability to problem solve and think critically is one of the main attributes we look for when hiring,” she says. “In a world that is constantly changing, we need to be able to adapt and look beyond what is our default.”

So, how do you think laterally when the world around you is in a blind panic? Here are four techniques that will help, whatever organization or situation you find yourself in.

Pick a transitional object

“What would Bruce Lee do?” might not be the most conventional start to a conversation about strategy, but it might help you shake up your thinking.

A transitional object is someone or something embodying certain characteristics or qualities that you can use as inspiration for new ideas. (Whether or not the person or thing concerned actually does embody those qualities in real life is irrelevant. Perception is reality.)

Transitional objects can be people or things that you like or admire—or the opposite. The point here is that they embody a set of qualities that do not exist in your organization (or life) today. To continue with the above example, Bruce Lee taught the importance of working with—rather than against—the energy of your attacker. How might this inform your strategy?

Which plot underpins your business or project?

Jump to the wrong answer

Asking “what’s the one thing we absolutely should not do in this situation?” is an irreverent question that can challenge conventional thinking about what is an advisable course of action.

Faced with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Swedish clothing manufacturer Asket did precisely the wrong thing on paper: it suspended all sales on those days and instead sold only clothing protection products. But in doing so, it strongly reinforced its brand message about sustainable consumption and the importance of buying well—and earned additional respect from its environmentally-conscious customer base.

Bear in mind that, when innovating, it can be way easier to go way out and wind back than to try solving problems by iterating from a conservative start point. Even if the answer to this counterintuitive question is, in reality, completely the wrong thing to do, it can pave the way to new thinking about what’s right.

Don’t add—subtract

Most strategies and tactics are additive—they often involve doing more things in ever-shorter timescales, diluting impact and burning people out.

Asking “what would happen if we stopped doing—or asked others to stop doing—the following?” can stimulate new thinking about your customer experience, employee experience or even overall strategy. Doing so will also challenge your organization’s received wisdom about resource deployment, which can be beneficial when trading is tough.

Bear in mind that Twitter—a business that can stake a reasonable claim to having changed the world—was invented not by adding but subtracting. In that case, the element that was taken away was the permission to use more than 140 characters when blogging.

Tell a different story

According to the author Christopher Booker, all narratives orient around a very small number of basic, archetypal plots that human beings are pre-programmed to understand:

• Voyage and return
• Overcoming the monster
• Rags to riches

This is not just a matter for fiction writers. Consider which plot currently underpins your business or project. Now pick another one—and rewrite the future. For example, are you a running a plucky scale-up that is “overcoming the monster” in your category? What would happen if, instead, you attempted to “rebirth” your marketplace or customer offering? Might that change, for example, your appetite for finance?

In times of crisis, the plot that many leaders unconsciously follow is “tragedy”. Try reframing your struggles as “voyage and return,” say—and you might be surprised at both the emotional and strategic shifts that this particular exercise in lateral thinking helps you to achieve.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

21 Lateral Thinking Examples (And Definition)

The term lateral thinking refers to a problem-solving strategy that utilizes creative and indirect reasoning. We might colloquially call it “thinking outside the box.’

Instead of relying on step-by-step analysis of the problem, the conventional method, lateral thinking often produces solutions that only seem obvious in hindsight.

The term “lateral thinking” was coined by Edward de Bono (1967) in his book The Use of Lateral Thinking .

He illustrates the difference between lateral thinking and conventional logic-based thinking (referred to as vertical thinking) with the following lateral thinking example:

“If you were to take a set of toy blocks and build them upwards, each block resting firmly and squarely on the block below it, you would have an illustration of vertical thinking. With lateral thinking the blocks are scattered around. They may be connected to each other loosely or not at all. But the pattern that may eventually emerge can be as useful as the vertical structure” (p. 11).

Lateral thinking can be applied to any problem and is often seen in professions such as advertising and product design, where creativity is highly valued.

11 Top Lateral Thinking Examples

• Finding Alternatives: Using a car engine to generate electricity in your home during a blackout
• Working Around Problems: Starting a business when you are having trouble getting a job
• Generating Tech Solutions: Using a drone to deliver packages instead of a traditional delivery truck
• Reverse Thinking: Instead of thinking about what you want to achieve, think about what you don’t want to achieve, and find ways to avoid it.
• Seeking New Solutions: Using virtual reality technology for mental health treatment to save time and money
• Seeing Opportunity in Disaster: Using mobile apps for remote learning and education during a lockdown
• Finding a Way: Using crowdfunding to finance small business and startup projects
• Creating New Avenues: Using the sharing economy such as Airbnb and Uber to make use of underutilized resources
• Being Resourceful: Using green roofs and walls for urban agriculture and sustainable building design
• Thinking Outside the Box: Using a magnifying glass to light a fire when you realize you don’t have matches or a lighter (this is the inverse of functional fixedness )
• Divergent Thinking : Using a coconut shell as a bowl because you don’t have any bowls nearby

10 Lateral Thinking Case Studies

1. goal: make more money.

Lateral thinking involves reframing the problem in a way that allows us to see a solution that would not be seen with conventional vertical thinking.

For example, if the problem is that you want to make more money, the logic-based vertical thinking solution leads to a very logical solution: work more.

Working more means more money will be transferred to your possession; problem solved.

Unfortunately, this solution can lead to a person taking multiple jobs and working nearly every waking moment of their existence. Yes, this will generate more money. But at what expense?

Lateral thinking suggests reframing of the problem: save more money. This results in more money being in your pocket, which is the ultimate goal.

However, instead of working three jobs, the lateral solution is to spend less money. Stop buying over-priced coffee and instead purchase a good coffee maker. Instead of buying a new car, buy one second-hand.

2. The Fearless Girl

Lateral thinking can be seen in some of the most clever marketing campaigns in history. Often, the ad is amazingly simple, yet powerful. The simplicity adds to its impact.

One example can be seen in the marketing campaign known as The Fearless Girl by State Street Global Advisors.

Instead of implementing the usual strategy of producing TV ads with a respected spokesperson or having short scenes of testimonials from average citizens that have had great financial success investing in stocks, they took a quite creative approach.

They hired Kristen Visbal to sculpt a bronze figure of a young female child standing boldly, hands on hips, and placed her directly in front of the quite large and intimidating Charging Bull in the financial district of Manhattan in New York City.

The goal was to advertise an index fund which was focused on gender diverse companies that have a high percentage of women in senior leadership. That index fund is represented by the ticker symbol SHE.

3. Measuring Income Inequality

Economic equality is recognized as the source of many ills in the world today. From civil unrest to the dysfunctional family unit, when humans feel as though they do not have economic opportunity, while others live lavishly, many troubles will ensue.

The vertical thinking approach to measuring economic inequality involves a mathematical formula consisting of various economic and population indexes.

In his seminal paper (Atkinson, 1970) states that the “…conventional method of approach is misleading….I hope that these conventional measures will be rejected in favor of direct consideration of the properties that we should like the social welfare function to display” (p. 262)

He then took an unusual approach to measuring the concept by including social welfare issues. In his own words:

“Lateral thinking led to the results on the measurement of risk being applied to the problem of measuring income inequality. In this, and in other areas of economics, lateral thinking has made a significant contribution” (Atkinson, 2011, p. 319).

His use of lateral thinking has had a profound impact in economics, demonstrating that “…economics is primarily a social and moral science” (Wernerová, 2019, p. 1).

4. Challenging Assumptions: The Nine Dots Problem

The nine dots problem is well-known to most readers. Nonetheless, it is offered by de Bono (1970) as an example of how lateral thinking is accomplished by challenging assumptions.

As de Bono explains:

“In challenging assumptions, one challenges the necessity of boundaries and limits and one challenges the validity of individual concepts. As in lateral thinking in general there is no question in attacking the assumptions as wrong…It is simply a matter of trying to restructure patterns. And by definition, assumptions are patterns which usually escape the restructuring process” (p. 49).

The problem goes like this: Nine dots are arranged in three vertical rows of three. The goal is to connect the nine dots using only four straight lines, without raising the pencil from the paper.

The solution is derived by letting go of the common assumption that one cannot extend the line past the outer boundaries of the dots. Although this rule is never stated in the instructions, people have this assumption fixed in their mind.

“If one breaks through this assumption and does go beyond the boundary then the problem is easily solved…” (p. 50).

Read more about challenging assumptions in this article.

5. In the Classroom

In many of his books, de Bono likes to use classroom examples of how teachers can help their students develop lateral thinking. This is a noble cause and one reason that his work has had such an enduring impact in the study of problem-solving , divergent thinking, and creativity.

One exercise he recommends is for teachers to ask students to design a useful product. Some specific suggestions include:

• an apple-picking machine
• a cup that cannot spill
• a device to help cars park

The purpose of this activity is to show that there can be different solutions to the same problem. It is the thinking process that is so much more valuable than the end result.

“Though an idea may seem silly in itself it can still lead to something useful…No one is silly for the sake of being silly no matter how it might appear to other people. There must be a reason why something made sense to the person who drew it at the moment when it was drawn. What it appears to other people is not so important if one is trying to encourage lateral thinking. In any case whatever the reason behind a design and however silly it may be it can still be a most useful stimulus to further ideas” (de Bono, 1970, p. 61).

6. Reconceptualizing the Good Life

Some people in Western cultures start to feel a great deal of stress as a result of constantly striving to have a better life. They believe that having material objects such as a big house with a three-car garage, dining in over-priced restaurants, and wearing expensive jewelry are signs of living the good life.

This is typical vertical thinking that is defined culturally. Possessing expensive material goods equals a better life.

However, lateral thinking would change the definition of “better life.” With lateral thinking, the concept is defined as feeling relaxed, leading a slower pace of life, and spending time on hobbies.

So, the solution is simple, and many people have taken this step. Instead of working harder to purchase more material goods, they sell all they have and move to a country with a much lower cost of living.

Many Americans have done just that. For example, many Californians are selling their houses (known for expensive real estate) and moving to small beach towns in Mexico.

They arrive at the solution they want: to have a better life, but do so by escaping conventional norms through lateral thinking and taking a different path.

7. The Best TV Ad in History

Yes, crowning something as “best in history” is not an exact science. It’s a value judgment that is subjective and open to a lot of debate. However, there is no doubt that at least one of the best TV ads in history is the 1984 ad by Apple .

It was a groundbreaking piece of cinematography for a TV ad, produced by Ridley Scott, the director of Blade Runner.

The reason the ad is considered so astounding is more than just the visual aesthetics, but has a lot more to do with the message. Instead of relying on vertical thinking and boasting about the computing power or the advanced graphics chip, the ad says nothing about those features.

The ad is an exercise in lateral thinking like never before seen in the advertising world. It makes a statement about conformity, bucking the establishment, and avid individualism.

8. The “Why” Technique

The “why” lateral thinking technique by de Bono is designed to create discomfort with the information that has been provided. The process involves the teacher making a statement, followed by the student asking “why.” This exchange is repeated at length; each explanation to be questioned.

“The usual purpose of “why” is to elicit information. One wants to be comforted with some explanation which one can accept and be satisfied with. The lateral use of why is quite opposite. The intention is to create discomfort with any explanation. By refusing to be comforted with an explanation one tries to look at things in a different way and so increases the possibility of restructuring the pattern” (de Bono, 1970, p. 53).

The process is a little more complex if done properly. Rather than simply repeating the word “why,” much like the habit of a child, the serious student will be more focused. The question should be directed to a specific aspect of the previous explanation.

Even if the teacher knows of the true reason, to get the most out of this exercise, they should phrase their answer that allows enough flexibility to continue the probe.

9. Applied to Students

Srikongchan et al. (2021) pointed out that many instructional approaches in the classroom fail to foster creativity in school children.

Students “…are directed to think in the same pattern to understand the contents, working the projects, and generating the solutions. They are not encouraged to think differently or think out of the box” (p. 234).

The researchers implemented a backward instructional design by having students participate in 9 different lateral thinking learning activities.

A total of 60 fifth-grade students in an Information Technology course in Thailand took part in the study, and their degree of creativity was assessed both before and after the lateral thinking activities.

The results indicated that students:

“…significantly improved their creative thinking scores” when comparing before and after scores. “ It can be implied that the learning activities and learning experience of lateral thinking could provide students a meaningful learning process …and help the students developed creative thinking ” (p. 243).

10. The Reverse Thinking Technique

At the center of lateral thinking is the objective to look at a problem from a different perspective. The reversal technique takes similar aim.

The process leads to a way of looking at a situation that is obviously wrong, perhaps even ridiculous. This is done to escape the shackles of conventional vertical thinking.

For instance, the teacher explains that a policeman directs traffic. Then, the students are instructed to engage in reverse thinking, which leads to: the traffic controls the policeman, or, the policeman disorganizes the traffic.

This leads to a consideration of natural traffic flow, or if traffic lights would be superior to a policeman.

It doesn’t matter if the solution generated actually makes sense in the beginning; the point is that the student/problem-solver is moving in the right direction. The purpose is to be provocative and to consider the problem from an alternative point of view.

Lateral Thinking Strengths

1. discovering overlooked ideas.

One of the most valuable strengths of lateral thinking is the consideration of overlooked aspects of a problem.

Because people are so locked-in to vertical thinking, which is logical and rational, they can fail to see all aspects of a situation.

Lateral thinking encourages the examination of all aspects of a matter. Even if those elements seem inconsequential, one never knows how valuable they may be unless they are at least considered.

2. Generating a Different Perspective

Several of the techniques utilized in lateral thinking have the explicit goal of looking at a problem from a different perspective.

This is at the heart of divergent thinking or creativity, or the oft-overused saying “think outside the box.”

“In lateral thinking one is not looking for the right answer but for a different arrangement of information which will provoke a different way of looking at the situation” (de Bono, 1970, p. 71).

Even if that different way of looking seems silly and invaluable, it may actually lead to someone else having a great idea that is the exact solution needed.

3. Constructively Challenge the Status Quo

Challenging the status quo enables the problem-solver to generate useful solutions.

So often people become used to using a product a certain way or going through a procedure in a specific manner. Those routines can become so automatic that they are just accepted as standard operating procedures.

However, the techniques of lateral thinking force people to question those givens and seek alternatives.

By challenging the assumptions of why we do the things we do, we take the first step to creating a better process, which may be more efficient or may actually be a complete overhaul of standard practices.

See More: Status Quo Examples

Lateral Thinking Weaknesses

1. conceptual redundancy.

Lateral thinking has quite a bit in common with divergent thinking, innovation, and creativity.

These concepts all involve looking at situations from a different perspective and generating solutions that are unique and non-conventional.

Since there is so much overlap in these very similar concepts, one has to wonder why is there a need to invent a new term for those that already exist?

If divergent thinking and lateral thinking result in the same unique solution, then why is there a need to have two names for the same horse?

2. Fails to Acknowledge Research

One weakness of lateral thinking is that de Bono often ignores established research on thinking and problem-solving.

There has been a tremendous amount of rigid scientific research on heuristics, divergent thinking, and methods to improve problem-solving.

However, that research is unacknowledged, not even mentioned in de Bono’s many books.

To be accepted as a scientific theory, it is necessary to explain how one’s own postulations fit with other theories, particularly those theories that have earned wide acceptance due to the body of solid science behind them.

3. Reliance on Riddles, Stories, and Testimonials

Lateral thinking has been termed a “ pseudoscience ” (or, more specifically, pseudo-psychology ) by critics. Because of its reliance on riddles, fictional stories, and testimonials as support for the theory’s efficacy, it fails to meet standard criteria for legitimacy.

Although de Bono offers-up narratives as illustrating key concepts in lateral thinking, it is not the kind of evidence that is considered valid in disciplines such as modern psychology.

As Antonio Melechi succinctly concluded :

“Rather than accumulate independent empirical evidence of its efficacy, the lateral thinking movement still opts to festoon itself in anecdotes, hearsay and testimonials.”

Lateral thinking involves approaching problems in ways that result in a novel solution. Instead of taking the usual path of conventional problem-solving methods such as logic, the theory postulates that lateral thinking offers a valuable alternative.

There are several techniques presented by de Bono (1967; 1970) that facilitate lateral thinking and the generation of novel solutions. These techniques involve questioning the assumptions of the problem, challenging the usual explanations by asking “why,” and engaging in reverse thinking.

Lateral thinking can result in discovering previously overlooked aspects of a problem, helping people see the problem from a different perspective, and challenging accepted practices and conceptions.

On the other side of the coin, critics would like to see the theory supported by empirical evidence and a clear explanation of how it differs from theories that have solid scientific support.

Atkinson, A. B. (1970). On the measurement of inequality. Journal of Economic Theory, 2, 244-263.

Atkinson, A. B. (2011). On lateral thinking. The Journal of Economic Inequality, 9(3), 319-328.

de Bono, E. (1967). The use of lateral thinking. Jonathan Cape

de Bono, E. (1977). Lateral Thinking: a textbook of creativity. Penguin Books.

Srikongchan, W., Kaewkuekool, S., & Mejaleurn, S. (2021). Backward instructional design based learning activities to developing students’ creative thinking with lateral thinking technique. International Journal of Instruction , 14 (2), 233-252.

Wernerová, Barbora. (2019). Economic inequality according Atkinson. SHS Web of Conferences, 61. 01034. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20196101034

Dave Cornell (PhD)

Dr. Cornell has worked in education for more than 20 years. His work has involved designing teacher certification for Trinity College in London and in-service training for state governments in the United States. He has trained kindergarten teachers in 8 countries and helped businessmen and women open baby centers and kindergartens in 3 countries.

• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 25 Positive Punishment Examples
• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
• Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

Chris Drew (PhD)

This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Positive Punishment Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lateral Thinking Problems

Topic: Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving

Empowerment Video: Strategic Thinking

Basic Supplies:

• Blank paper
• Writing utensil such as a pencil or pen
• One copy of the lateral thinking problems per student or another method to display them such as an overhead or whiteboard

Video Discussion:

Say, “Think of a recent problem that you solved. This could be a personal problem, a problem at school, or a problem at home.”

Ask, “How did you solve it?”

Give students a moment to think, then ask for any volunteers that are willing to share their problem and the solution.

Guide students to understand that there are many ways to approach and solve problems.

After watching the video “ Strategic Thinking ”, ask your students the following questions:

• What are some ways that you could try to solve a problem?
• Is there a “best” way to problem solve? Why or why not?
• Do you think one type of problem solving will work for all types of problems? Explain your thinking.
• Why do you think it’s important to be able to think strategically?

Activity Instructions:

Lateral thinking is one way to solve problems. Like all problem-solving strategies, the more you practice, the easier it will become. This type of problem solving can help you learn to “think outside the box” and ultimately become a stronger strategic thinker.

• Working alone or with a partner, work to solve each of the lateral thinking problems one at a time.
• Be prepared to share your answers and your thinking with the class!

Lateral Thinking Problems:

• You are standing next to three light switches. All three switches are now in the off position. You know these switches belong to three lights in another room, but you can’t see into the other room. You can do whatever you want with the switches, but when you are finished you must go into the other room and say which switch belongs to which bulb. You cannot enter the room more than once. What will you do to determine which bulb belongs to which switch?
• How can you divide a cake into eight pieces using just three cuts?
• A farmer is travelling with a fox, a goose, and a bag of beans. During his journey, he comes across a river. There is a boat tied to the shore that he can use to cross the river. The farmer can only fit one thing in the boat with him at a time. If left alone together, the fox will eat the goose, or the goose will eat the beans. How does the farmer get everything across the river safely?
• Your sock drawer only contains 18 white socks and 18 blue socks. How many times do you need to reach inside the drawer and take out a sock to guarantee a matching pair?

(Scroll down to see answers)

Lateral Thinking Answers:

• Answer: Turn on the first switch and wait for at least five minutes. Turn off the first switch and then turn on the second switch, leaving it on. Once you get into the other room, you’ll find the bulb for the second switch still shining, the bulb for the first switch will be hot, and the bulb for the third switch will be neither hot nor on.
• Answer: Cut the cake into four pieces using two cuts. Then move the four pieces so they align and cut the cake horizontally in half with your third cut, making eight pieces.
• Answer: The farmer brings the goose across the river first. Then, the farmer brings either the fox or the beans across. The farmer must bring the goose back to the original side of the river. The farmer brings the other item back (either the fox or the beans). The fox and the beans are now on the other side of the river. The farmer returns and brings the goose across the river again.
• Answer: Three times. On the third time, you’ll get either a white or a blue sock to match with one of the other two you’ve already grabbed.

*Lateral Thinking Puzzles Sourced from:

https://mumlyfe.com.au/mind-bending-lateral-thinking-puzzles-for-kids/ https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/brain-teasers-for-kids/

Privacy Overview