Creative and lateral

thinking Management

 Do not go where a path may lead, go

instead where there is no path and
leave a trail.

Imagination is the beginning of

creation.

Dr. Edward de Bono

What is THINKING SKILL?

Thinking is beyond the level of repeating or
memorizing information. Thinking is processing
experiences by editing or rearranging them
(Matthew Lipman)
Thinking is a complex act comprising knowledge,
attitudes and skills that allow the individual to
shape his/her environment more effectively than
intuition alone (Orlich)

There are really many views on thinking.

Thinking is the act of

withholding
judgment in
order to use
knowledge

experienc
e

new
information,
concepts or
conclusions.

What is Critical Thinking?

It is the art of taking charge of the power of your own
mind.
It is thinking beyond basic recall of information.
It involves asking questions to establish ideas, create
new ideas, solve problems and make decisions.
Assists in the transformation of information into
something that can be used to anticipate the future.
It requires choices and responsibility.
Commonly called problem solving
Not being content with the first solution to a
problem, but thinking more deeply about it.
Knowing, understanding, analyzing, synthesizing,
applying and evaluating the idea or problem
Not letting reason be clouded by emotion

Four Aspects of Critical Thinking

Abstract Thinking:
thinking past what your senses tell you
Creative Thinking:
thinking out of the box, innovating
Systematic Thinking:
organizing your thoughts into logical steps
Communicative Thinking:
being precise in giving your ideas to
others.

What is involved?
Question: what is being asked?
Purpose: why do I want the answer?
Point of View: where do I stand to look at the
question?
Information: what data do I have?
Concepts: what ideas are involved?
Assumptions: what am I taking for granted?
Inferences: what conclusions am I drawing?
Consequences: what are the implications of
my question?

Ordinary Thinkers
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Pretend to know more than they do.

Get annoyed by problems.
Are impatient.
Judge on first impressions and intuition.
Focus on their own opinions.
Look only for ideas like their own.
Are guided by feelings rather than thoughts.
Claim that thinking gives them a headache.

Critical Thinkers

Acknowledge personal limitations.

See problems as exciting challenges.
Have understanding as a goal.
Use evidence to make judgments.
Are interested in others ideas.
Think before acting.
Avoid emotionalism
Keep an open mind

What is the difference between

critical thinking and ordinary
thinking?
Believing

Assuming

Preferring

Evaluating

Associating
concepts

Formulating
principles

Supposing

Hypothesizing

Offering opinions

Offering opinions
with reasons

Making judgments

Making judgment
with criteria

Errors in Thinking

Partialism
Adversary Thinking
Time Scale Error
Initial Judgment
Arrogance and Conceit

ASK ASK ASK

One quality of a good critical thinker is the ability
to ask on-target questions.
If you dont usually ask questions, is it because you

Fear embarrassment?
Worry what others will think of you?
Worry that the instructor will think your
question is strange?
Worry that others will think youre
showing off?
If you dont take risks, you wont get the maximum
benefit in developing your mind.

The dynamic balance of Creativity

Divergent Thinking: Generating
lots of options

Convergent Thinking: Judging

options, making decisions

Divergent Thinking

Convergent Thinking

CPS
Creative Problem Solving is a proven
method for approaching a problem or
a challenge in an imaginative and
innovative way.

 Objective Finding - Identify Goal,

Wish or Challenge
Fact Finding - Gather Data
Problem Finding - Clarify the Problem
Idea Finding - Generate Ideas
Solution Finding Select and
Strengthen Solutions
Acceptance Finding Plan for Action

How to generate Ideas Viz.

Brainstorming

Four Common Decision Making

Problems

Snap decisions
Dont jump to conclusions!

Narrow thinking
Broaden your vistas!

Sprawling thinking
Dont beat around the bush!

Fuzzy thinking
Keep it sharp! Keep it relevant!

Refine Your Reasoning

Be willing to argue
Check your assumptions
Know your own biases
Observe carefully
Stay positive and persistent
Show concern for accuracy
Take time before concluding

What Makes a Creative Thinker?

They actively pursue experiences that are
aesthetically pleasing.
They enjoy taking a unique approach to
things.
They love the process of creating.
They are flexible and like to play with
problems.
They take risks and learn from their mistakes.
They strive to evaluate their work fairly.
They thrive when they think of assignment
guidelines as a launching point for their
imagination.