Edward De Bono Books
Edward de Bono (1933–2021) was a Maltese physician, psychologist, and author known for his pioneering work in the field of creative thinking. He coined the term 'lateral thinking' and wrote extensively on creativity, innovation, and education, influencing thinkers and organizations worldwide.
Known for: Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step, Six Thinking Hats
Books by Edward De Bono
Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Most people have been taught to think carefully, logically, and analytically—but not necessarily creatively. In Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step, Edward de Bono argues that this imbalance lim...
Six Thinking Hats
Most bad decisions are not caused by a lack of intelligence. They are caused by messy thinking. In Six Thinking Hats, Edward de Bono offers a practical method for improving the way individuals and gro...
Key Insights from Edward De Bono
Vertical and Lateral Thinking Compared
The most important creative breakthrough in the book begins with a distinction: not all useful thinking moves in a straight line. Edward de Bono contrasts vertical thinking with lateral thinking to show that logic alone is not enough. Vertical thinking is the familiar method most of us are trained i...
From Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Perception Creates the Patterns We Follow
We do not merely think about reality; we think through the patterns by which we perceive it. De Bono argues that the mind is a pattern-making system. This is incredibly efficient because patterns help us recognize situations quickly, reduce complexity, and act without having to reconsider everything...
From Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Provocation Breaks the Grip of Habit
Many useful ideas begin as bad ideas. That uncomfortable truth sits at the heart of one of de Bono’s most powerful techniques: provocation. The mind usually rejects statements that seem wrong, irrational, or absurd. But lateral thinking uses such statements on purpose—not because they are true, but ...
From Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Random Entry Sparks Unexpected Connections
When the mind is trapped in the same track, it often needs an outside jolt. De Bono introduces random entry as a way to interrupt routine thought and trigger fresh associations. The principle is simple: bring in a random word, image, or object, then force a connection between that unexpected stimulu...
From Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Humor Reveals Alternative Ways of Seeing
Laughter often arrives at the exact moment a pattern breaks. De Bono uses humor to show how the mind can suddenly shift from one interpretation to another. A joke works because it sets up a familiar expectation and then overturns it with an unexpected twist. In other words, humor is a miniature less...
From Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Creativity Is a Skill You Can Train
One of de Bono’s most democratic ideas is that creativity is not a rare gift reserved for artistic geniuses. It is a trainable skill. People differ in temperament and background, of course, but the capacity to generate alternatives, challenge assumptions, and restructure patterns can be improved thr...
From Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
About Edward De Bono
Edward de Bono (1933–2021) was a Maltese physician, psychologist, and author known for his pioneering work in the field of creative thinking. He coined the term 'lateral thinking' and wrote extensively on creativity, innovation, and education, influencing thinkers and organizations worldwide.
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Edward de Bono (1933–2021) was a Maltese physician, psychologist, and author known for his pioneering work in the field of creative thinking. He coined the term 'lateral thinking' and wrote extensively on creativity, innovation, and education, influencing thinkers and organizations worldwide.
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