This article aims at understanding more on the development of lateral thinking and its significance on businesses through a few examples. It throws light on how and why schools should impart lateral thinking education for young and budding managers.

Today's managers often hear their bosses telling them to think out of the box, think differently or think creatively for solutions. This is called creative thinking or lateral thinking or unconventional thinking. Business aims for and wants managers who are good at continuity and problem solving since the business world is dynamic. Lateral thinking is the only key to address these issues. Lateral or non-linear thinking can help us invoke creative solutions to emerge as a winner in an increasingly complex world. This creative thinking is not an inborn quality and it can be learnt through various ways. One such way, which has gained worldwide popularity, is the `six hats' concept.

Two men were on a jungle safari in Africa. Suddenly, they came across a tiger that started roaring and coming towards them. Both men were very frightened and one of them started wearing his shoes quickly. The other man asked him: "How is this going to help you? You can't outrun the tiger." The first man replied: "I have decided I don't have to outrun the tiger¹ which is chasing us but, I have to outrun you to save my life." This is Lateral Thinking.

Lateral thinking is an unconventional approach which cannot be predicted to solve any problems. It does not follow the normal logical, step-by-step, linear or sequential approach. Lateral thinking is also called as creative thinking, nonlinear thinking, or thinking out of the square or box. This type of thinking provokes the basic assumptions and lays down the basis for reasoning. It breaks the usual thought processes and evolves with creative, new, original and contemporary solutions.

This phrase was coined by the living legend Dr. Edward De Bono, 40 years ago. He is the father of lateral thinking. Bono has written over 70 books on lateral thinking, which have got published all over the world in 25 different languages. He teaches thinking as a skill and it has gained worldwide acceptance. Bono has his own troop of trainers who are training various employees of top companies and also work with leading management schools. They have conducted various workshops on lateral thinking. According to Bono, in South Africa, during the workshop the participants used the tool of lateral thinking and developed 21,000 new ideas within one afternoon. In Venezuela, lateral thinking has been made compulsory in the school curriculum. Many companies have used this technique to excel: to name a few global leaders, Nokia, Rolex, Siemens, Nestle, Boeing, Goldman, Ernst & Young.

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