Reversal Thinking
A creative thinking exercise where individuals generate alternative perspectives by reversing a given situation in as many ways as possible, then categorizing the types of reversals.
THE IDEA
Practice
- Reversal and different types of reversal
A number of situations are presented to the students each of whom has to try reversing each situation in as many ways as possible. The results are collected and then the different types of reversal are listed. Comments are made on the more obvious types and also on the more ingenious types.
The same thing can also be done by giving out a subject and then asking for volunteer reversals of it, listing these down on a blackboard as they come in (and supplementing them with one’s own suggestions).
Possible subjects might be:
- Teacher instructing students.
- Street cleaner.
- Milkman delivering milk.
- Going on holiday.
- Workers striking.
- Shop assistants helping customers.
When to use it
Generating innovative solutions in brainstorming sessions by flipping assumptions
Challenging fixed mindsets in team problem-solving exercises
Exploring alternative business models by reversing customer-supplier relationships
Enhancing creativity in writing or product design by considering opposite perspectives
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Reversing 'Teacher instructing students'
Possible reversals include: 'Students instructing teacher', 'Teacher learning from students', 'Teacher and students swapping roles', 'Teacher instructing an empty classroom', 'Students instructing themselves', 'Teacher being instructed by an external expert'.
Reversing 'Workers striking'
Possible reversals include: 'Workers working enthusiastically', 'Employers striking', 'Striking as a form of celebration', 'Workers striking for more work', 'Management striking against workers', 'No workers striking'.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a common problem you face. How many ways can you reverse the situation to gain new insights?
What assumptions are you making about a current situation that could be challenged by reversing it?
How might reversing a typical process reveal hidden opportunities or risks?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)