There may be very little of the change in perceptions and concepts that is central to Lateral Thinking. Yet many artists are productive stylists who produce within the same perceptions and style of expression. For example, artists are creative because they create new things that have value. We do not accept creating a mess as being creative because the new thing is supposed to have value. The word “creative” in the English language has a very broad meaning and includes the bringing into existence of something new. I introduced the new term “serious creativity” in my book Serious Creativity (HarperBusiness, New York, 1992) in order to make a distinction between formal creative techniques and just messing around and hoping that an idea will happen. In my writing and seminars, I use the terms “lateral thinking” and “creative thinking” interchangeably because creative thinking is much more widely known. Lateral Thinking is a method for cutting across from one pattern to another.” “In self-organizing information systems, asymmetric patterns are formed.“Lateral Thinking is for changing concepts and perceptions instead of trying harder with the same concepts and perceptions.”.“You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.”.There are a number of ways of describing or defining Lateral Thinking.

de Bono on the definition of Lateral Thinking. He has worked for over thirty years in the field with major corporations all over the world. His Lateral Thinking tools are based directly on how the brain functions as a self-organizing information system. He is the inventor of the phrase “Lateral Thinking” which is now in the Oxford English Dictionary. Edward de Bono is regarded by many as the leading world authority in the field of creativity.

The Lateral Thinking program teaches individuals creativity and the skill of generating ideas while using their knowledge and experience. Understanding the process of creativity and how individuals can learn skills to be creative is what causes the confusion. Everyone is faced with the need to create a new product or service, solve a problem, or have the leading edge over the competitors. Understanding the need for creativity in business and industry today is the easy part. Much of the difficulty arises directly from the words “creative” and “creativity.” At the simplest level “creative” means bringing into being something that was not there before. Creativity is a messy and confusing subject.

De bono serious creativity