3 modes of thinking; convergent, divergent and lateral thinking for creative problem solving
Wisdom
One piece of wisdom that motivates, encourages and empowers you to grow.
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail”.
—Abraham Maslow
Insight
One insight that helps you deeply understand a situation, idea, or concept.
3 Modes of Thinking
As humans, our ability to think critically, imagine, and create sets us apart from other species.
Being aware of cognitive biases can unlock problem-solving and innovation potential. Convergent, divergent, and lateral thinking offer distinct approaches to idea generation and problem-solving.
1. Convergent Thinking
In 1965, J. P. Guilford, a psychologist, coined convergent and divergent thinking.
Convergent thinking is the process of finding concrete and familiar solutions to problems.
When faced with a flat tire, using a spare tire is an example of convergent thinking. It is a concrete and familiar solution to the problem that can be implemented quickly and efficiently.
Resulting in faster performance, convergent thinking breaks down problems into smaller, manageable pieces to assist with efficient decision-making, particularly when under pressure, reducing the risk of decision overload.
2. Divergent Thinking
Divergent thinking is a creative process that generates original ideas and possibilities.
When creating a new product, a team using divergent thinking generates novel and innovative ideas by exploring various approaches, rather than just improving an existing product.
Divergent thinking promotes flexibility in problem-solving by exploring various perspectives and options to stimulate innovative and unconventional thinking.
3. Lateral Thinking
In 1967, Edward de Bono, a physician, introduced the concept of lateral thinking.
Lateral thinking explores diverse perspectives and uses metaphors to generate innovative solutions.
Escape room games require lateral thinking, where players think creatively, challenge assumptions and find unconventional solutions to solve puzzles and escape the room.
Lateral thinking is less concerned with finding the "right" answer and prioritizes new and unexpected ideas and unconventional solutions to complex problems.
Living Legend
One inspiring story of a famous person who is still living for doing something extremely well.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, is known for his innovative problem-solving approach that combines convergent, divergent, and lateral thinking.
For instance, when designing the Cybertruck, Musk and his team applied convergent thinking by using familiar materials such as ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel to create a durable and safe car. They also used divergent thinking to create an entirely new design that challenged traditional assumptions about car design.
Musk's lateral thinking also played a role in his problem-solving approach for SpaceX. He challenged the traditional approach to space travel by exploring innovative ideas, such as vertical takeoff and landing technology and reusable rockets. This idea ultimately led to the creation of a fully reusable spacecraft, making space travel more affordable and accessible.
Overall, Musk's ability to blend convergent, divergent, and lateral thinking has helped him achieve numerous milestones in the field of technology and space exploration, bringing significant breakthroughs to the industry.
Final Thought
Question(s) for you to ponder and think carefully about.
Whether you're a divergent, convergent or lateral thinker, questioning your ideas can often be a good way to check their authenticity and practicality.
What problem am I trying to solve?
What specific outcome am I aiming for?
What are the potential consequences of the decision I make?
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Cheers,
Ben Mumme
Founder and CEO of Living Your Greatness
Ps. If you watch one thing today, watch the world’s longest wingsuit flight ever.
Notes
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Clifford Barry’s definition of greatness: "I call it success, not greatness. It's the pursuit of excellence and success because how many people can achieve greatness? Very few. How many people can be all they can be? Everybody."