The Whack Strikes Back!

In A Whack on the Side of the Head, Roger Von Oech (1998) explains how the fool looks at the world. Rather than consulting a wise Oracle, Von Oech sometimes urges the reader to look at a problem and say, "It's not what everyone thinks it is" (p. 122).  Can others possibly have another perspective?

Your Task: Form a team and attend to the following task:  Try to "...think of all the different types of thinking there are" (p. 39).  

1) Make a list of no less than 18 items.  

2) Divide the list into two obvious and logical groups.

Present your original, undivided list (the one from step 1 above) to another team. The other team must arrange the list into two obvious and logical groups.

Here is the procedure:

• Keep your divisions (step 2) a secret until the end of this exercise.  
• Select another team and exchange original lists (lists from step 1) with that team.
• Now, the ball is in the other court for both of you.
• Meet separately with your team and examine the other team's list, perhaps comparing their ideas to yours.  Arrange their list into two groups in the most logical way.
• Present the arrangements to the other group and explain to them how your arrangements of their ideas are most reasonable.

Your team may be presented with some interesting ways to look at things.  Proceed with your ideas with a fresh perspective.

Von Oech, R. (1998). A Whack on the Side of the Head. Warner Books, Inc., New York.