lateral thinking

[ lat-er-uhl thing-king ]

noun

1. an approach to problem solving that involves nontraditional thought processes such as free association of ideas, creative analogy, pattern recognition, intuition, etc.: Compare vertical thinking.

   This position requires lateral thinking, collaborative skills, and the ability to deal with ambiguity.

lateral thinking

noun

1. a way of solving problems by rejecting traditional methods and employing unorthodox and apparently illogical means

Word History and Origins

Origin of lateral thinking¹

Coined in 1967 by Maltese psychologist E. de Bono (1933–2021)