EDWARD DE BONO'S MESSAGE
26th January 1997

"In my experience, and contrary to the belief of many people, I have found accountants to be very creative people. This is because they constantly have to look at things in different ways.

In any sort of categorisation there is the same need for creativity. Which aspects do you focus upon? What are the possible aspects and characteristics? Can you percieve unusual features? Categorisation is only a logical procedure when the categories are firmly established with the given criteria. Then it becomes boring even if useful.

Lawyers also spend a lot of time in creative categorisation. Does this apply? Can this be seen to be a relevant precedent?

One of the simplest of all perceptual exercises is to take eight random words and then set about dividing them into two groups of four words each. This is usually possible whatever the words might be.

For example eight (genuinely) random words from my random word lists are:
oil
spaghetti
ruin
flea
balloon
tennis
wine
editor

This is a pretty random array. How might you divide them into two groups of four words in each group?

One simple approach might be to put into one group all those derived from living matter: spaghetti, flea, wine, editor. This leaves the other four in the non non-living group. It is true that 'oil' may be derived from living matter (as in olive oil) but it is not 'always' derived form living matter.

Another approach would be to consider: oil, flea, tennis and editor, as 'high energy' items. The others are relatively 'low energy' item.

I am sure that different categorisations will occur to visitors.

Creative Team members might wish to set up 'sub-teams' which can also function as 'creative clubs'. People who have ideas like to have an audience for those ideas. There is therefore some point in being able to instantly show-off your ideas to others. This is much more motivating than being creative on your own."

Edward de Bono