Lateral Thinking
Sometimes a problem or project doesn't have a "straight on" solution. Instead, we can look at the situation from a "lateral" direction--trying to see it from different perceptions, concepts or alternate points of entry. Lateral thinking is creative technique first expressed as a definition by Edward de Bono in his book Serious Creativity. Lateral thinking involves those methods which seek to solve problems in an illogical or unorthodox manner.
Many of the common creativity techniques fit under the umbrella of lateral thinking. Random input, discontinuity, problem reversal, forced relationships--all are designed to "shake things up" a bit--to force the brain out of organized thought and into a more creative perspective. Lateral thinking may or may not be effective in creative projects--it's often a "hit or miss" proposition.
Example.
A building had too few elevators for the number of tenants. People were becoming annoyed at having to wait for elevators at busy times. Conventional solutions included adding elevators or staggering business hours among the businesses to spread out demand for the elevators. How did the building's owners solve the dilemma? They added mirrors in the elevator lobbies on each floor. The temptation to "check yourself" in the mirror was enough of a distraction to remove the tenants' focus from long elevator wait times--a lateral solution to the problem!
Action Ideas.
- Give yourself the freedom to think without regard to convention.
- Assume your basic understanding of the problem is wrong. What are other ways to view the challenge?
- Don't be satisfied with one approach. Force yourself to come up with multiple solutions.
- Ask someone who has no experience whatsoever with your project to weigh in with their possible solution.
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