When I was a young (structural) engineer my colleagues and friends used to say “you are not thinking like an engineer!”. Five years of hard work for a master degree cum laude and “I was not thinking as an engineer”. What a waste of time! How frustrating!
The first time I heard the term “lateral thinking” was in an interview for a position as Strategic Business Analyst at Accenture (I was not sure that being an engineer was my way). There were two positions and about one hundred candidates. I got hired and when I got told I was on board the man said: “we choose you because you have an excellent attitude to lateral thinking”.
Linear Thinking (also known as Vertical Thinking) and Lateral Thinking (or Horizontal Thinking) were terms named by Edward de Bono in his 1967 book “The Use of Lateral Thinking.”
Linear Thinking is based on logic, rules and rationality (or sustained reason) to solve a problem. The thought process is singular: there is one path toward completion which ignores possibilities and alternatives. It’s methodical, sequential and focused. Each step is dependent upon a yes (correct) or no (not correct) option or solution. It’s easy to repeat, and to teach others. The process tends to be efficient, organized and completed on time. A person who uses Linear Thinking is constant. [1]
Cultures placing a high value on hard work, precision and order have proved to be very successful both in ancient and modern times (e.g. romans and germans…).
The core of Lateral Thinking is to break from the established process to see the world – particularly a problem – from different and multiple perspectives. It ignores logic for unorthodox or random stimulation. A person using Lateral Thinking searches for as many alternative ways to view the problem, situation or environment – any one of which may produce a new and unusual answer … or frequently not. The thought process of Lateral Thinking is not a straight line. A person using Lateral Thinking is more interested in the journey than the destination. The hallmarks of Lateral Thinking are discovery, exploration and spontaneity. It seeks disruption, rejects traditional, and explores unusual or illogical combinations. [1]
Visionaries who broke the status quo have been able to change our lives for the better. In a smaller scale, a number of professionals with this gift everyday help our businesses to be smarter, more effective and more exciting.
Hence the question: linear or lateral?
My take on this is that humankind, like a good cocktail, needs more than just one ingredient. I’m a structural engineer and engineers are typically part of the first family but I’m also an inventor and it thrills me when I see something done in an innovative (and better) way.
To be a creative person means looking at things through curiosity. Most time challenges are considered as opportunities. Being creative helped my career. To write this blog is just good fun.
Fabio Parodi
CPEng MIPENZ Dott.Ing(ITA) M.Eng(Hons)
CEO and Founding Director of Cresco
www.cresco-group.com
www.cresco.co.nz
References:
lateral thinking. 