Lateral Thinking For Management by Edward De Bono

Book Summary:

In this practical guide, Edward de Bono introduces the concept of lateral thinking as a structured approach to creativity and problem-solving in management. He argues that traditional vertical thinking—linear and logical—limits innovation. Lateral thinking, on the other hand, encourages breaking free from established patterns to generate novel ideas and solutions.

De Bono outlines various techniques to stimulate lateral thinking, such as:

• Provocative Operations (PO): Introducing deliberate challenges to current assumptions to spark new perspectives.

• Random Input: Using unrelated stimuli to trigger creative connections

• Reversal: Looking at problems from opposite viewpoints.

The book emphasizes that creativity is a skill that can be cultivated and applied systematically in business contexts to enhance decision-making, innovation, and strategic planning.

About the Author: 

Edward de Bono (1933–2021) was a Maltese physician, psychologist, and author, renowned for his work in the field of creative thinking. He introduced the term "lateral thinking" and developed various tools to enhance cognitive processes. De Bono's methodologies, including the Six Thinking Hats and lateral thinking techniques, have been widely adopted in education, business, and personal development to foster innovative thinking and effective problem-solving.