The Concept Behind Lateral Thinking
The term lateral thinking was coined by psychologist Edward de Bono in the 1960s. He defined it as a way of solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious.
In contrast to vertical thinking — which goes deeper into a single line of reasoning — lateral thinking moves sideways, exploring different framings, angles, and starting assumptions altogether. It's less about working harder within a system and more about questioning the system itself.
Vertical vs. Lateral Thinking
| Vertical Thinking | Lateral Thinking |
|---|---|
| Builds on existing ideas | Challenges existing ideas |
| Follows logical sequences | Makes unexpected leaps |
| Selects the best path | Generates many alternative paths |
| Analytical and focused | Generative and wide-ranging |
| Avoids incorrect steps | Welcomes "wrong" steps as exploration |
Neither style is superior — great problem-solvers switch fluidly between both. But in everyday life, most people default to vertical thinking, making lateral thinking a learnable and valuable edge.
Core Techniques of Lateral Thinking
1. Random Entry
Pick a completely unrelated word, image, or concept and force a connection to your problem. This breaks habitual thought patterns. For example, if you're trying to redesign a boring product, pick the word "volcano" at random and ask: what features of a volcano could inspire a redesign?
2. Provocation (Po)
De Bono introduced the word "Po" as a thinking tool — a provocation that deliberately states something impossible or absurd to open up new directions. "Po: cars have square wheels." From this absurdity, you might think about variable resistance, adjustable suspension, or textured road surfaces.
3. Challenge Assumptions
List every assumption behind your problem and challenge each one. If you're trying to reduce traffic, the assumption is "people need to be in a different place." Challenge it: what if they didn't need to travel at all?
4. Reversal
Reverse the problem. Instead of "how do I get more customers?" ask "how do I drive customers away?" The reversed answers often reveal what you're doing wrong — and spark genuine improvements.
A Classic Lateral Thinking Puzzle
A man walks into a bar and asks for a glass of water. The bartender pulls out a gun and points it at him. The man says "thank you" and walks out. Why?
The man had hiccups. The sudden fright cured them. He no longer needed the water.
Notice how the answer is perfectly logical — but only if you abandon your initial framing (danger, conflict) and consider a completely different angle (medical need).
Where Lateral Thinking Shines
- Creative industries: Breaking design and narrative conventions
- Business strategy: Finding non-obvious competitive advantages
- Engineering: Solving constraints with unconventional materials or methods
- Personal problem-solving: Reframing stuck situations in everyday life
How to Practice It
Lateral thinking is a skill, not a talent. You can build it deliberately:
- Solve one lateral thinking puzzle every day — the process trains the mental shift.
- Practice asking "why?" five times in a row about any assumption.
- Read widely outside your field — cross-domain ideas are the fuel of lateral thought.
- When stuck, physically change your environment. New stimuli break mental ruts.
The goal isn't to abandon logic — it's to expand the territory your logic operates in.