Vertical vs. Lateral Thinking
tries to expand possibilities
tries to finalize
welcomes all info
excludes irrelevant info
jumps around
is sequential
no “right or wrong”
focuses on “right or wrong”
Goal:  Generating ideas
Goal:  Selecting an idea
Lateral Thinking
Vertical Thinking
If vertical thinking is considered exclusively, one might never consider alternative ways to solve a problem
When brainstorming, you will want to lean toward lateral thinking.  Vertical thinking will come later.