Classic de Bono: … Language Over the years Dr Edward de Bono has shared great insights through his messages. This series of blogs revisits some of those highlights.

Language

I continue to be appalled at the inadequacies of language. In many people’s minds, especially educators, the word ‘creativity’ means art. So music and painting are taught in the belief that this is teaching creativity. It is, indeed, teaching an aspect of creativity, but has nothing to do with the creativity of change, and the creativity of new ideas, and new ways of doing things. Because the word ‘creativity’ exists, everything is pulled into this word. But then the word has its specific art meaning. The same applies to the word ‘design’, which has come to mean graphic design, clothes design and visual design in general. Yet ‘design’ is an immensely important process that goes way beyond these uses of the word. We do not have a word for a venture which is fully justified but which, for unforeseeable reasons, has not succeeded. We call this a ‘mistake’ or a ‘failure’. It is, therefore, not surprising that people are reluctant to try new things. So sometimes a needed word does not exist. At other times, there does exist a word which conveys the wrong meaning.

Edward de Bono nmt

30th June 2002

Venice

Dr Edward de Bono is a world leading authority on thinking skills. Creator of the famous Six Thinking Hats®, Lateral Thinking and many other workshops he has authored over 80 books published in 35 languages. Holst is Dr Edward de Bono’s partner in Europe. Click here for more information about Dr de Bono and his tools. Would you like to change how people think? Consider adding Dr Edward de Bono’s tools to your portfolio and become a certified de Bono trainer. Edward de Bono Training  [traininglist slug=”six-thinking-hats-accreditation-3-days”] [traininglist slug=”six-thinking-hats”] [traininglist slug=”lateral-thinking”] [traininglist slug=”power-of-perception”] [traininglist slug=”focus-on-facilitation”]  ]]>