"grasping 't' Power" — (it's All About The Thinking)

"grasping 't' Power" — (it's All About The Thinking)

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The alphabet contains 26 letters. To each we assign value and power. Recently "T" has achieved a new strength. An author refers to T-shaped management --- [Collaboration by Morten T. Hansen]. A company refers to T-shaped people --- [IDEO, a product design company]. However, the real power of "T" is in its first position in both "thinking" and "thought."

THE NEEDED CHANGE — Educators talk about the need of learners to think. Yet, the behavior of those educators shows that the real value to them is recall of information. Companies complain about the shallow-level of thinking among their employees. They applaud data collection efforts. They reward sales results. How do they honor thought? Economic developers roll-out plans to save the world that show only yesterday-thinking. Shall we repeat the mistakes of the past? Where is the innovative thought? Politicians draft legislation that shows considerable lack of forethought about consequences. What promotes this practice?

But who really teaches you HOW to think? We need to become the thought teachers. We need to help people learn about the different thinking processes. We need to help people grasp the power of thought — the power of "T."

STEP #1 — Analyze the geometry of the letter itself — a vertical line upholding a horizontal line, at its simplest. However, geometry includes points, angles, and surfaces as well. Imagine all of the variations of "T" that you have seen. See the plain unadorned letter. See the ornate letter laden with all sorts of geometric decoration. Then see it as function. The t-square. The pillar that supports a column. The center post of a circular claw-foot table. The t-handle of an umbrella supporting an array of spokes. The funnel. The corkscrew.

STEP #2 — See the letter as a symbol of thinking itself. First, the vertical line suggests a vertical kind of thinking. Generally, this thinking moves sequentially: (1) problem statement, (2) definition of terms, (3) possible alternatives, (4) selection of alternative to test or implement, and (5) evaluation. The sequence, however, flows bi-directionally — from the foot of the letter to the intersection with the horizontal or from the intersection of the horizontal to the foot.

The horizontal line suggests different thought, sometimes called lateral thought. In a two-dimensional environment, thinkers see only the two lines. Either this way or that way. However, change the perspective to three-dimensional. See the claw-foot table. Here, you can spread out all kinds of ideas that can all be supported by the pole. See the umbrella. Each spoke represents a different thought that contributes to the overall look of the thinking. Not correct. Not incorrect. But a contribution to the overall thinking process. See the funnel. The ideas on the table, the thought-spokes of the umbrella can all flow down through the funnel. See the corkscrew. Ideas from the table, thoughts from the spokes can all flow down the corkscrew to be transferred into something else for further action.

STEP #3 — Plan how you will strengthen your "T." Know, always, where you are on the "T." Know which direction you are going. Assess whether you are still open to ideas or whether you are ready to hand-off the thinking to implementers. Acknowledge the thinking tools you used to reach where you are. Identify which ones are working easily for you. Question the ones which are posing problems for you. What kind of teaching do you need to do with your thinker-partners? What kind of thinking self-development do you need?

Now, design a T-action-plan for improved thinking. Start with yourself. Identify all the areas where you believe your thinking needs improvement. Read whatever you can find on thinking and thought. Run the gamut from mind-mapping to six-hat thinking. Read about the kind of thought that appeals to you — collaborative thought, innovative thought, breakthrough thought, operational thought, generative thought. Design your own learning and evaluation. Share readily with your thinking-partners. Enjoy the changes in yourself, your thinking-partners, your thinking, and in your ultimate, overall productivity. The power of "T" is in your grasp.

About the Author:
Virginia L. McBride, The Haven Maven
Founder, EPROW Images
Creator, "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE THINKING"
Virginia builds personalized "thinking environments" to strengthen innovative thought. Working with EPROW Images, clients learn how and when to use vertical and lateral thinking. This learning empowers decision-making.
To qualify for a free 30-minute consultation, submit a "pitch" through EPROW's PAPPY program => http://www.eprowimages.com



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