Don't argue, team up, de Bono says

Instead of wasting time on arguments and attacking each other, people should adopt a structured and constructive process of creative thinking when discussing problems, according to Edward de Bono.

The world-renowned author and expert on thinking gave a talk to employees of the Employment and Training Corporation, where, among other things, he explained his Six Thinking Hats method.

To help people understand how this concept originated, he gave the example of four people looking at the different sides of a house and each insisting their view is the best. Instead of arguing with each other, Prof. de Bono suggests that the four people should team up and go through each side to make up their minds together.

This is what he calls lateral thinking but his Six Thinking Hats concept goes a step further, splitting up the process into six different frames of mind that a group can adopt when discussing a problem.

The ETC has provided training to several members of its staff and jobseekers in this Six Thinking Hats process.

Prof. de Bono recently convinced the government to use the National Library in Valletta as a Palace of New Thinking, a building where, it is planned, ideas will be generated.

The European Year of Creativity and Innovation was launched a few days ago by Minister for Youth and Culture Dolores Cristina.

Ms Cristina said that the world was going through rapid political, social and technological changes which brought about increased competition and use of human resources.

"The implementation of new methods of learning, like lateral thinking, resulting in originality, progressiveness and innovation, is the application of creativity," she said.

During the press conference, Prof. de Bono who is also an Ambassador for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, stated that creativity in thinking is a skill that can be taught, learnt and practised just like mathematics, skiing or cooking.