Edward de Bono

Edward de Bono is a renowned author and thinker best known for his work on lateral thinking and creative problem solving. He has written more than 85 books, translated into 36 languages, drawing on his expertise in psychology, philosophy, and meta-cognitive thinking. His work on paradigms and logical tools have made him a major influence in modern business, education, and creative processes.

De Bono was born on 19 May 1933 in Malta. He studied medicine at the University of Malta and qualified as a medical doctor in 1959. In 1965, he achieved a doctorate in medicine from Cambridge. During a fellowship at Oxford, he published his first book, New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking. This was the first book to introduce the concept of “lateral thinking”, which is a term he coined and describes as a way of approaching problems via creative and indirect means.

De Bono left Malta in 1967 and traveled to the United States where he continued to develop and refine his theories on creative thinking. He has been widely acknowledged as a major influence in the field of creative problem solving, particularly techniques such as the Six Thinking Hats, word games, and the Five-Day Creative Thinking Course. In his book Six Thinking Hats, De Bono urges readers to think “outside the box,” and to consider multiple options for solving problems. He also promotes the idea of using lateral thinking for problem solving and decision making.

In recent years, de Bono has also focused on the concept of ‘coherent systems,’ or concepts of design or organization which are so simple and logical that it’s almost impossible to get lost in the details. He has developed a set of practical tools (the six thinking hats, the word web, etc.) which he uses to teach this concept to business people and other professionals. In addition to applying these tools to business and the workplace, de Bono has applied them to art and education.

De Bono’s work has been recognized by numerous groups, including the New York Times, Management Today and the Times Educational Supplement. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Hertfordshire (U.K.), the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) and the Open University (U.K.).

The main message of de Bono’s books is that anyone can use lateral thinking to come up with creative solutions and strategies. His books and courses help people to recognize patterns and develop the skills to see problems in a different light. De Bono has inspired generations of people to think outside the box and find innovations in any area. His books, such as Lateral Thinking, Practical Thinking and The Six Thinking Hats are essential reading for anyone interested in problem solving and creativity. His works can be used to help tackle a wide range of life’s problems, from business and finance problems to personal matters.