Part 3 of 4
Most clinicians are vertical thinkers. Clinicians are conditioned to look at a problem selectively, use critical thinking, and methodologically analyze the available evidence and data to support their hypothesis.
Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic. The term was coined in 1967 by Edward de Bono.
In a constantly changing world, we need to be able to adapt and look beyond what is our default. So, how do you think laterally when the healthcare system doesn’t want to change?
Pick someone or something embodying certain characteristics or qualities that you can use as inspiration for new ideas. It does not matter if the person or thing is related to healthcare. The point here is that they embody a set of qualities that do not exist in your organization (or life) today. So…”What would Beyonce do?” Beyonce is the queen bey, a producer who boldly expresses herself through music and art, a fashion icon, and a best-selling solo female recording artist. How might this inform your strategy?
What else can you do? Jump to the wrong answer…..in Part 4
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