Quote

It is well known that problem avoidance is an important part of problem solving. Instead of solving the problem you go upstream and alter the system so that the problem does not occur in the first place.

Edward de Bono

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Edward de Bono
Age: 88 †
Born: 1933
Born: May 19
Died: 2021
Died: June 9
Philosopher
Physician
Psychologist
University Teacher
Republic of Malta
Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono
Important
Place
Upstream
Part
Avoidance
Doe
Solving
Problem
Alter
Wells
Occur
Firsts
Instead
Well
System
First
Known

More quotes by Edward de Bono

Image
If you wait for opportunities to occur, you will be one of the crowd.
Edward de Bono
Image
It has always surprised me how little attention philosophers have paid to humor, since it is a more significant process of mind than reason. Reason can only sort out perceptions, but the humor process is involved in changing them.
Edward de Bono
Image
This new meta-system is very much in favor of the self, but a self that is based on a proper sense of dignity, not on an inflated ego. A person who dare not admit he is wrong inflates his ego but weakens his self.
Edward de Bono
Image
The solid wealth of insurance companies and the success of those who organsie gambling are some indication of the profits to be derived from the efficient use of chance.
Edward de Bono
Image
The simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity.
Edward de Bono
Image
Lateral thinking... is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. Lateral thinking can be learned, practised and used. It is possible to acquire skill in it just as it is possible to acquire skill in mathematics.
Edward de Bono
Image
Companies that solely focus on competition will ultimately die. Those that focus on value creation will thrive.
Edward de Bono
Image
Being right is not too difficult. Your choose your perception. You select your information. You leave out what does not suit you. You drag in some general-purpose value words. You throw in a sneer or two about the opposition, and you are a fine fellow who made a fine speech.
Edward de Bono
Image
Dealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy. There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple.
Edward de Bono
Image
Complexity creates confusion, simplicity focus.
Edward de Bono
Image
The concept of logical thinking is selection and this is brought about by the processes of acceptance and rejection. Rejection is the basis of logical thinking.
Edward de Bono
Image
Critical thinking does seem a superior sort of thinking because it seems as though the critic is actually going beyond the scope of what is being criticized in order to criticize it. That is only rarely a true assumption because, most often, the critic will seize on some little aspect that he or she understands and tackle only that.
Edward de Bono
Image
The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at the center of the jaunt.
Edward de Bono
Image
The mind can only see what it is prepared to see.
Edward de Bono
Image
Don't criticise a hypothesis, come up with a better one.
Edward de Bono
Image
In a sense, words are encyclopedias of ignorance because they freeze perceptions at one moment in history and then insist we continue to use these frozen perceptions when we should be doing better.
Edward de Bono
Image
Mock the devil, and he will flee from thee.
Edward de Bono
Image
Possibilities play a much bigger role in thinking than most people believe. Without possibilities you cannot make progress.
Edward de Bono
Image
The effective thinker treats arrogance as the major sin of thinking.
Edward de Bono
Image
If you do not design the future, someone or something else will design it for you.
Edward de Bono