Lateral Thinking for Every Day

A first class guide to lateral thinking. I read the de Bono book on lateral thinking but haven't read another one since, until now. And I am not disappointed. The detail of how Freddie Mercury got his record of Bohemian Rhapsody accepted by the record company was particularly interesting, but the book was fascinating and needed an update done well, since de Bono's book was published years ago. I stress the done well bit, because the book was done well. Well done to the author, Paul Sloane. It was a difficult task, but he achieved it.

Lateral Thinking for Every Day is a self help book that encourages you to think outside the box when solving problems. Tackle everyday issues by thinking imaginatively and creatively, and use lateral thinking to get a different perspective. Follow the techniques, examples, tips and challenges to produce your own extraordinary solutions. It is an interesting read that will certainly get you thinking differently. Overall a useful and practical book..

‘Lateral thinking involves deliberately adopting an unconventional point of view in order to conceive unusual ideas and solutions.‘
This is an extensive review of lateral thinking and the many formats of ways to think it has encouraged us to think differently, or what used to be called ‘out of the box’. There is the Disney method, the Six Hats. and there are lots of examples of businesses started by lateral thinking and of businesses still using this approach.

I enjoyed the section on examples of lateral thinking in warfare, Wooden Horse,Hannibal, Nelson etc, but I also liked the section on asking questions. Here he stresses the importance of lateral questions to finding out. An example is ‘what does a tickle look like? ‘ which lead to Mr Tickle, Many great examples in the book of how curiosity lead to great things.

This is suitable for beginners to lateral thinking. It is also suitable for those who enjoy a good dip into a book.

I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers. My views are my own.

This is a solid personal development book with short easily digestible chapters that challenges you to think differently. With sections that provide both historical & modern example as well outlining tools and exercises to encourage lateral thinking I’d recommend this for anyone interested expanding their thinking.