lateral thinking 2

In your mid-course presentation, you chose one of the theories from our course: Lateral and Vertical Thinking. As your final project, add 4- 5 more slides to make one complete deck.

Now, you will create four additional slides with voiceover, applying that theory to the marketplace example (or two) of your choice.

Each slide should be no more than one minute. Do not read the slide. Use the slide content to prompt your spoken text. Be specific. Give examples. Quote the text.

That's it!

Lateral Thinking by Edward De Bono Kanza Arif

CREATIVITY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

05/26/2025

What Is Lateral Thinking? ✓Lateral thinking is a problem-solving approach

introduced by Edward de Bono that encourages

looking at challenges from new, unconventional

angles (de Bono, 2010).

✓Instead of using logical, step-by-step reasoning—

what de Bono calls vertical thinking—lateral

thinking seeks to disrupt our habitual patterns.

Vertical vs. Lateral Thinking

✓To understand lateral thinking, we must contrast it

with vertical thinking (Masood, 2024)..

✓Vertical thinking is analytical and sequential. It’s

the kind of logic we use in mathematics or when

solving puzzles by applying known rules.

Techniques of Lateral Thinking

❑Provocation (Po Technique).

❑Random Entry.

❑Challenge.

❑Alternative/Concept Extraction.

The Restaurant Line

❖Traditional (vertical) thinking would solve a long wait by

increasing capacity (e.g., more tables or staff) (de Bono,

2010).

❖A lateral solution changed the customer’s experience—

offering peanuts to make the wait enjoyable (Turner,

2024).

❖The real problem was perception, not time—lateral

thinking reframes the issue to find innovative solutions.

Why It Matters ❑Lateral thinking helps solve complex, non-linear problems

creatively (Biaddang & Molino, 2024).

❑It encourages breaking away from conventional, logical

patterns.

❑Promotes innovation in business, education, and daily life.

❑Becomes a mindset that drives adaptability and progress.

References

▪ De Bono, E. (2010). Lateral Thinking. HarperBusiness.

▪ Biaddang, L. M. D., & Molino, J. (2024). Facilitating Edward de Bono's

Six Thinking Skills for students with learning disabilities. Library

Progress (International), 44(3).

https://doi.org/10.48165/bapas.2024.44.2.1

▪ Masood, S. (2024). DPS: Lateral thinking in policy formulation.

Defence Journal. Retrieved from

https://defencejournal.com/2024/03/05/dps-lateral-thinking-in-

policy-formulation/

▪ Turner, A. (2024). Master lateral thinking: Edward de Bono's key to

success. LGT Insights. Retrieved from https://www.lgt.com/global-

en/market-assessments/insights/entrepreneurship/lateral-

thinking-the-key-to-unlocking-business-growth-233106