Re-program your mind and think outside the box in business

By Shanuka Tissera

The six thinking hats
This systematic method of thinking in a new way will provide employees with skills and tools that they can apply immediately. It is a simple, effective technique that helps teams become more productive. You and your team can learn how to separate thinking into six distinct categories. The difference between brilliant and mediocre teams isn’t so much in their collective mental capacity, but in how well they can tap into their collective wisdom and how they can function together.

After the team learns the skills behind the Six Thinking hats system, they will: Hold critical meetings without emotions or egos that would otherwise lead to bad decision making. Avoid the easy but mediocre decisions by knowing how to dig deeper. Make creative solutions the norm, maximise and organise each person’s thoughts and idea and most importantly, get to the right solution quickly along with a shared vision.

 

Lateral thinking
The second stage of the De Bono Thinking system taught by Ideas-Consulting is Lateral Thinking. Dr. Edward de Bono divides thinking into two methods:
Vertical thinking uses the processes of logic- the traditional and historical method. Lateral thinking is the second which involves disrupting an apparent thinking sequence and arriving at the solution from another angle. Creative thinking is not a talent but is a skill that can be learned. It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves creativity and innovation, which leads to increase productivity and profits.

 

Lateral thinking techniques
Alternatives: How to use concepts as a breeding ground for new ideas. Sometimes we do not look beyond the obvious alternatives. Focus: When and how to change the focus of your thinking. You will learn the discipline of defining your focus and sticking to it.
Challenge: Breaking free from the limits of traditional thinking. With challenges, we act as though the present way of doing things is not necessarily the best.
Treatment of ideas: How to develop ideas and shape them to fit an organisation.
Harvesting: Capturing your creative output, at the end of creative thinking sessions we normally only take note of the specific ideas that seem practical and have obvious value.

 

Power of perception
We have all said it: “Too much to do and too little time.” Cut out all the distractions and funnel your thoughts until you drill down to the right action. The power of perception gives you simples strategies for sharpening your perception and focusing your thinking in a more comprehensive, effective and efficient way. Our modern lives, both business and personal are very fast paced and full of action. We often conclude action without enough thought. We love to take action and see what happens – if it’s good, we keep going. If it is bad, we stop and clean up the mess we have created.
A few of the tools used to increase the power of perception are as follows:
Ensuring all sides of a matter have been considered before a decision or commitment is made. Objectives: Focus directly and deliberately on the intentions behind actions. Other people’s view: Put yourself in others’ shoes and Action: Direct attention to the outcome of thinking and action that follows.

 

Put into practice
Idea-Consulting Chief Learning Officer Dr. Sunil Gupta has worked with hundreds of professional institutions and including school children to Royal Families.  The Plantation Board of Sri Lanka has previously taken part in this training program along with professionals from the Government Tourism industry and Justice Ministry. Dr. Gupta stated, “Why must we waste our time teaching children history? We must teach them how to use their minds and not the ability to learn random facts that will truly not benefit them in the future.”