Lateral Thinking and Roger von Oech

Creative Thinking Methods

Means generating ideas by being flexible and creative

Lateral thinkers break away from standard solutions and solve problems in unique and different ways

Allows the problem solver to look at the problem from a unique perspective

Also known as “thinking outside the box”

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What is Lateral Thinking?

Roger von Oech is an internationally-recognized creativity consultant who has worked with major companies from around the world, including Anheuser-Busch, General Foods, Hallmark Cards, Hewlett-Packard, NASA and Procter & Gamble

His book, "A Whack on the Side of the Head", is a classic in the field of creativity and innovation and is now on its 25th Edition

Who is Roger von Oech

Either you let your life slip away by not doing the things you want to do, or you get up and do them.

If you make an error, use it as a stepping stone to a new idea you might not have otherwise discovered.

It's easy to come up with new ideas; the hard part is letting go of what worked for you two years ago, but will soon be out-of-date.

It's easy to come up with new ideas; the hard part is letting go of what worked for you two years ago, but will soon be out-of-date.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.

Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.

Von Oech Quotes

The Reason for all the Hats“The problem solving process”

1. Problem Finding

4. Action

3. Solution Finding

2. Idea Finding

Problem Finding Idea Finding Solution Finding Action the Idea

Roger von Oech – author/consultant

(“A Kick in the Seat of the Pants”

Harper & Row - 1986

Explorer-Problem Finding

Artist-Idea Finding Judge-Solution

Finding Warrior-Action the

Idea

Roger von Oech – 4 Roles with respect to our ideas

The Explorer: ◦ Seeking new territories and

looking at possible opportunities

The Artist: ◦ Creating new innovative

ideas in response to an opportunity

von Oech-4 roles

The Judge: ◦ Evaluate the ideas

generated to see if any are worthy of pursuit and implementation

The Warrior: ◦ Fight for the idea,

overcome obstacles and barriers and serve as a “champion” for the idea

von Oech-4 roles

Searches for Information

Strategies: ◦ Takes the road less travelled ◦ Look at the big picture ◦ Pay attention to detail ◦ Look in outside fields, disciplines

and industries.

The Explorer (Von Oech)

Strategies cont’d: ◦ Write down ideas

Behaviours ◦ Scavenger hunt ◦ Microscope or telescope ◦ Market research ◦ Try a new skill ◦ Wilderness camping

The Explorer (Von Oech)

Turns resources into new ideas

Strategies: ◦ Imagine ◦ Combine ideas ◦ Break down barriers ◦ Parody – Silly ◦ Outrageous ◦ Incubate

The Artist (Von Oech)

Behaviours: ◦ Cooking gourmet dinners ◦ Dancing at midnight under full moon ◦ Write a poem or make up a joke ◦ Design a costume ◦ Wonder WHY? Or WHAT IF?

The Artist (Von Oech)

Evaluate the merits of an idea

Strategies: ◦ Objective, unbiased ◦ Positive or negative ◦ Chances for success ◦ Consequences of failure ◦ Timing ◦ Verdict

The Judge (Von Oech)

Behaviours: ◦ Comparison Shopping ◦ Grade and essay ◦ Make an investment ◦ Vote ◦ Referee

The Judge (Von Oech)

Carries the idea into action

Strategies: ◦ Written plan ◦ Get going ◦ Follow through ◦ Be ready to be knocked down ◦ Savour your victories ◦ Learn from defeats

The Warrior (Von Oech)

Behaviours: ◦ Make a sales call ◦ Competitive sports ◦ Start a company ◦ Negotiate a contract ◦ Support a cause

The Warrior (Von Oech)

Problem Solving & von Oech

1. Problem Finding

4. Action

3. Solution Finding

2. Idea Finding

Problem Solving & von Oech

1. Problem FindingExplorer

4. Action Warrior

3. Solution FindingJudge

2. Idea FindingArtist