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

..maintenance and problem solving

“You can analyse the past but you have to design the future”. The quote is from my book ‘New Thinking for the New Millennium’. ‘Design’ is such a very important word because it is the opposite of analysis. Technically, the opposite is ‘synthesis’ but in practice synthesis is not the same as ‘design’. Design has a much stronger sense of purpose and value. Most organisations run on the basis of maintenance and problem solving. This is understandable because continuity is so important and it is never possible to change a lot at a time in an established organisation. There is also the risk factor. Anything new is always a risk and if it goes wrong, or does not prove as beneficial as promised, then somebody is to blame. The result is that most organisations rely on slow evolution, fashion and ‘me-too’ to make changes. This means operating way below potential.

 Edward de Bono, 20th May 2001, Venice

About the author: 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 62 books published in 32 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. The next Six Thinking Hats Workshop is 12th November central London. Book here.  ]]>