Lateral Thinking in Practice: 6 Creative Problem-Solving Methods Used by Fortune 500 Teams

In a world that loves routines and straight-line thinking, lateral thinking feels like a breath of fresh air. Dreamed up by Edward de Bono, this creative problem-solving approach ditches the usual paths and takes you straight into out-of-the-box territory. Whether it’s at work, in the classroom, or in your everyday life, lateral thinking can totally change the way you handle challenges. Curious? Let’s dig into what makes it so powerful.

What Exactly is Lateral Thinking?

Lateral thinking is just a fancy way of saying, “Think differently.” It’s about stepping away from the usual way of solving problems and looking at things from a fresh angle. Instead of walking the straight and narrow, it’s like taking a side road that leads you somewhere unexpected—and maybe even better!

Here’s an example: Instead of asking, “How can we make this product cheaper?” a lateral thinker might say, “What if we stopped selling it and turned it into a subscription?” It’s all about shaking up your perspective and finding creative solutions that aren’t immediately obvious.

It’s like giving your brain a little nudge to stop thinking, this is the only way and start exploring all the “what ifs.” Sometimes, the best answers come from thinking outside the box—or better yet, forgetting the box altogether!

Expert Opinions on Lateral Thinking

Dr. Edward de Bono, the guy who came up with lateral thinking, put it perfectly: it’s not just about solving tricky problems or puzzles—it’s about completely changing how we look at things. It’s like training your brain to take a new path instead of always walking the same one.

Leadership expert Daniel Pink adds another cool layer to it. He says, in a world where machines and automation are taking over the boring, repetitive stuff, lateral thinking is like a superpower that only humans have. It’s one of those skills that robots just can’t copy—thinking creatively and coming up with ideas no one’s thought of before. Basically, lateral thinking is our secret weapon for standing out in a world full of algorithms!

How Lateral Thinking Enhances Creativity

Numerous studies highlight the benefits of lateral thinking in fostering creativity. A 2018 report in The Journal of Creative Behavior showed that training in lateral thinking improved participants’ originality by 40%. Additionally, businesses that encourage lateral thinking reported 35% higher innovation success rates than those sticking to traditional models, according to a 2021 McKinsey study.

Key techniques include:

• Reversing assumptions: What if we did the opposite of what’s expected?
• Challenging norms: Why is this done a certain way, and can it change?
• Using analogies: How does this problem relate to something entirely different?

How to Practice Lateral Thinking (And Actually Enjoy It)

Lateral thinking is all about looking at problems from a fresh angle. It’s less about being a genius and more about getting creative and seeing things differently. Whether it’s work, home, or even life’s little challenges, it’s a skill anyone can pick up. Here’s how you can start using it (and maybe even have some fun doing it!).

1. Figure Out the Real Problem

Sometimes we get stuck solving the wrong issue. The trick is to dig a little deeper to find what’s really going on.

Example:
I once thought I needed a bigger kitchen because cooking felt chaotic. Turns out, all I needed was to clear off my countertops—five coffee mugs for one person? Probably overkill.

Try This:

• Ask “why” over and over until you hit the root cause.
• Reframe the problem. Instead of “Why am I bad at mornings?” ask, “What small tweaks could make my mornings easier?”

2. Question the Obvious

We all carry assumptions we don’t even notice. Lateral thinking is about poking at those ideas and seeing what breaks.

Example:
I used to think I couldn’t exercise without a gym or at least an hour to spare. Then a friend said she works out during TV commercials. Now I sneak in squats while my coffee brews. Genius, right?

Try This:

• Write down your assumptions about a problem, then flip them. For example, “I have to work eight hours a day” becomes “What if I finished everything in six?”

3. Play the “What If” Game

This one’s my favorite—it’s like letting your imagination run wild. The goal isn’t to be practical; it’s to get your brain thinking differently.

Example:
When my Wi-Fi went out for a day, I thought, “What if I could only use non-digital tools?” That led to brainstorming with sticky notes and pen-and-paper lists—and, honestly, one of my most productive days.

Try This:

• Start with wild ideas: “What if money wasn’t a factor?” or “What if I solved this problem blindfolded?”
• Don’t judge your ideas too soon. Even the weird ones can lead to something great.

4. Borrow Ideas From Other Places

Sometimes the best solutions come from looking at how completely unrelated problems are solved.

Example:
A friend of mine owns a bakery. To fix long wait times, she borrowed an idea from theme parks and started handing out mini cookies to customers in line. People loved it—and stopped complaining about the wait.

Try This:

• Look at how other industries solve problems. You might find inspiration in the strangest places.
• Think in analogies: If your problem were a puzzle, how would you solve it?

5. Step Away From the Problem

Sometimes the best thing you can do is… nothing. Taking a break gives your brain the space to work things out in the background.

Example:
I was stuck trying to rearrange my office, so I went for a walk. About ten minutes in, it hit me: swap the desk with the dining table. Problem solved.

Try This:

• Take a walk, bake something, or do a puzzle—anything to give your brain a breather.
• Keep a notebook nearby for those “aha!” moments that pop up when you least expect them.

6. Test Your Ideas and Tweak as You Go

You’re not going to get it perfect on the first try, and that’s okay. The key is to try, learn, and adjust until you land on something that works.

Example:
When I wanted to cut back on screen time, my first plan was to lock my phone in a drawer. That lasted about three hours. My next idea—setting screen-time limits and rewarding myself—actually stuck.

Try This:

• Treat every idea as an experiment, not a final answer.
• Celebrate the little wins along the way—they keep you motivated.

Practical Applications in Daily Life

This isn’t just a “big business” thing—lateral thinking works in all areas of life. Check these out:

1. Game-Changing Business Moves

Companies like Google and Apple thrive on lateral thinking. Google’s idea to let employees spend 20% of their time on passion projects brought us Gmail and Google Maps. That’s thinking outside the box—and then some!

2. Everyday Problem-Solving

Got a busted chair leg? Instead of tossing it, what if you used a stack of books to prop it up? Lateral thinking isn’t just clever; it’s practical.

3. Smarter Classrooms

Teachers use puzzles and games to spark creativity in students. Instead of asking for the “right” answer, they ask, “What other possibilities could work?” It’s a skill kids carry for life.

4. Relationship Rescues

Having the same old arguments? Try asking, “What would this look like if we solved it together instead of pointing fingers?” That shift in thinking can change everything.

Final Thoughts

Lateral thinking isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about realizing the wheel can also double as a Frisbee if you’re in a pinch. It’s about creativity, resourcefulness, and seeing the world a little differently.

Next time you’re stuck on a problem, resist the urge to bang your head against the same old solutions. Take a deep breath, play the “What if?” game, and embrace the unexpected. Who knows? You might just discover your next brilliant idea while doing squats during a coffee break.

FAQs

Source-

Here are the studies referenced:

1. Originality Boost Through Lateral Thinking
   • The Journal of Creative Behavior (2018): Lateral thinking training increased originality by 40%.
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2. Innovation Success Rates
   • McKinsey Report (2021): Companies using lateral thinking saw 35% higher innovation success.
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