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Writer's pictureBethan Winn

Lateral Thinking aka Creative Problem Solving


Two more squares can isolate each dog - can you solve the puzzle? (Feel free to message me with your answer - I'll tell you next week!) 


As we're facing new problems, I'm getting more requests for coaching in new ways of thinking. Traditional solutions aren't available to us, so what are the alternatives? 


Lateral thinking uses challenges to help you think "outside the box" or "outside the square".

If you're facing some challenges ask yourself:


  • What is the actual end goal you're trying to achieve? 

  • Are there other paths to achieve that goal?

  • What barriers are there on these paths?

  • Can they be taken away? What would be required for that to happen?

  • What are the first order consequences of each path? What are the second order consequences of each path?

  • What assumptions am I making? 

  • What if the opposite of those assumptions are wrong? 

  • How does this look to other stakeholders? 

  • What are the first order consequences of each path? What are the second order consequences of each path? (i.e. first outcome, secondary outcome down the track or the peripheral people or things that will be affected).

Try writing down your answers, or musing on them in the shower or on a walk and allow your mind to wander and ruminate to get a variety of ideas. The best ones should surprise you and may not be immediately obvious! 


I'd love to know how you get on and if you'd like help to talk through ideas, email me - hello@bethanwinn.com

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