PO (Lateral Thinking Language Tool)
PO is a linguistic device that crystallizes lateral thinking, functioning as a provocation to escape established patterns. Mastering its use develops lateral thinking skills, analogous to how NO serves logical thinking.
THE IDEA
Practicing PO
PO is de Bono’s language tool for marking a provocation: an idea to explore before deciding whether to accept or reject it. He compares learning PO with learning NO, arguing that practice should develop flexible use rather than a rigid list of permitted situations.
Show practical examples alongside the general concept. Reuse a familiar thinking exercise with PO, or devise a situation that makes its function clear. Group related uses together so learners can practice without having to track every distinction at once.
Practice involves both making a provocation and responding to someone else’s:
The use of PO.
The response to PO.
When to use it
Introducing provocative ideas in brainstorming sessions to spark creative solutions.
Breaking out of fixed thought patterns when solving complex, seemingly unsolvable problems.
Facilitating design thinking workshops where conventional constraints need to be temporarily suspended.
Encouraging open-minded exploration in educational settings to foster divergent thinking.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Brainstorming Provocation
In a creative session, a facilitator says 'PO: the car should have square wheels.' This provocation, introduced with PO, forces the team to break away from conventional assumptions and explore new design possibilities without immediate judgment.
Challenging a Fixed Routine
During a workflow review, a team member says 'PO: we stop using email for internal communication.' The PO statement opens up alternative channels and ideas that would normally be dismissed, helping to restructure processes.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you use PO to challenge an assumption you currently hold about a problem?
Think of a situation where NO (logical negation) would block progress. How could PO offer a different path?
What would a PO statement look like in your own field of work or study?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)