Divergent Thinking

Convergent thinking is that which we use to find a single solution to a problem.  Conversely, divergent thinking is that which we use to find many possible answers to a problem.  When trying to find a solution to a difficult problem, it is divergent thinking that is required.

Unfortunately, as we get older, our aptitude for it disappears.  Some years ago a study* involving 1600 schoolchildren assesed their ability for divergent thinking. they tested the kids in later years and found that the decline was quite alarming.  Perhaps this is due to our society’s emphasis on convergent thinking processes. (Email subscribers can see the graphic via this link)

There is a way to get a measure of a group, department, organisation’s divergent thinking ability.  What’s more, it provides a concrete, numerical measure.

You need 6-12 representative individuals with paper and pencils.  You ask them to write down as many items as possible that are’ blue’, or ‘round’, for example - a simple, general question which doesn’t require special knowledge.

It should be simple enough to enable the group get around 100+ ideas (for statistical significance). It should not take more than 5-10 minutes. 

You then go through the lists to count the items that are on everybody’s list, then items that are on all but one lists, then on all but two lists and so on.  Finally, you count the total number of unique items.

If everybody basically has the same list then they are not good at divergent thinking – great team players perhaps, but not an original thought between them.  On the other hand, if all the lists have completely different items, then they are all fabulously original, but are probably all highly individual
and will barely be able to communicate with each other.  A strong, creative team lies somewhere between the two.

Hopefully, the person that doesn’t get any unique ideas isn't the boss.


*Land & Jarman "Breakpoint & Beyond,  - Mastering the Future Today" 1993, Hapercollins