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What is Divergent Thinking?

Divergent Thinking

Divergent thinking is a thought process to generate creative ideas by exploring multiple solutions.
Definition
Daniel Wirtz
Daniel Wirtz
Co-Founder, Facilitator School
Last updated
June 14, 2024

Divergent thinking, while it sounds complex, is actually a super useful approach when you're looking to come up with fresh ideas or innovative solutions. By actively seeking out multiple possible answers to a question, rather than focusing on just one, you can expand your creative horizon. Think of it as brainstorming on steroids – you're not just looking for any solution, you're exploring all potential solutions. This method is particularly popular in creative fields and problem-solving sessions, where the goal is to think outside the box and harness a variety of ideas and perspectives.

In today's fast-paced world, being able to generate novel ideas quickly is a huge advantage. Whether you're in a marketing meeting trying to break a new campaign or a developer brainstorming ways to optimize a feature, divergent thinking fuels innovation by encouraging a free flow of ideas and helping you avoid cognitive biases that might limit your view. By considering diverse solutions, teams can build upon each other’s ideas, leading to more refined, original, and effective outcomes.

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Divergent Thinking

What is an example of divergent thinking?

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Imagine you're asked to improve customer satisfaction with a service. Divergent thinking would involve generating a broad range of strategies – from enhancing customer service training, changing your feedback system, or even redesigning the service's interface. Each of these potential solutions comes from different lines of thinking and opens up a variety of possibilities to explore and refine.

Why is divergent thinking important in problem-solving?

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Divergent thinking plays a crucial role in problem-solving because it ensures that you're not just settling for the first solution that comes to mind. In a problem-solving scenario, it allows teams to uncover innovative solutions that might not be obvious initially. This broad exploration of possibilities can also help in identifying underlying challenges and opportunities that a more focused or conventional approach might miss.

What is the difference between divergent vs. convergent thinking?

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Divergent and convergent thinking are complementary approaches used in problem-solving and decision-making. While divergent thinking involves spreading outwards, generating multiple ideas, and exploring many possible solutions, convergent thinking is about zeroing in, evaluating, and narrowing down those ideas into the best possible solution. Ideally, you’d start with divergent thinking to open up the field of possibilities, and then apply convergent thinking to find the most viable or effective option.

How can you improve divergent thinking in a team or group?

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Enhancing divergent thinking in a team can start with establishing an open, non-judgmental environment where all ideas are welcomed. Techniques like brainwriting, brainstorming, and holding idea-generating sessions without initially critiquing or evaluating the ideas can encourage wider participation. Tools like mind maps or even playful approaches such as role-playing can also stimulate divergent thinking by shifting perspectives and uncovering unexpected connections.

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