Lateral Thinking: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of Lateral Thinking, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
Lateral thinking escapes old patterns
De Bono argues that the mind naturally forms patterns, which help us think quickly but also trap us in familiar ways.
Lateral thinking is a set of deliberate techniques for escaping these patterns to find new ideas.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Vertical thinking is not enough
De Bono contrasts vertical thinking, which moves step by step logically, with lateral thinking, which jumps sideways to new possibilities.
Both are useful, but lateral thinking generates new ideas. Good thinkers need both.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Question assumptions
De Bono encourages challenging assumptions, asking why things are done a certain way.
Many assumptions are unnecessary. Asking why a thing must be done in a given way can reveal that a better way was open all along.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
Generate many alternatives
De Bono suggests deliberately looking for many alternatives, even when one seems good enough.
More options increase creativity. In his view, stopping at the first good answer means we never see the better ones that might have been just beside it.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Use provocation
De Bono introduces PO, a word signalling a provocative statement meant to break patterns.
Provocations are stepping stones to new ideas. A provocation need not be sensible; its job is to shake the mind out of its usual track so that a useful idea can appear.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
Random words spark ideas
De Bono describes random entry, using a random word to trigger new connections.
Unrelated ideas can open new paths. The word has nothing to do with the problem, but forcing a link between the two can lead the mind to a new direction.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Delay judgement
De Bono argues that judging ideas too early kills creativity.
Suspending judgement allows ideas to develop. He suggests holding back criticism for a while, so that a strange idea has time to grow into a useful one.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Creativity can be learned
De Bono believes creativity is a skill that can be taught and practised.
Techniques make it reliable. In his view, anyone can improve by practising deliberate methods, instead of waiting for a lucky flash of inspiration.
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