After spending a wonderful week in Singapore running a number of Speed Thinking — Action Learning Modules i returned to Australia eagerly awaiting the course evaluation. Both from a personal point of view (i.e. what could i do differently) and from a professional point of view (i.e. would this lead to more work) course feedback is invaluable.

After the usual ratings of the course (these can be difficult on the ego at times–in this case these were all pleasing) the company conducting the evaluation asked participants what are three things that you liked about today’s course?

The highest rated features in order were as follows:

- It was fun

- Interactive

- Think fast

- Simple

- Lively

This result surprised me. Why would fun be the most popular feature of a speed thinking session? Then it hit me. Teaching people to think for most of our educators is a serious business. Critical thinking which is what is taught in our schools relies on analysis, the use of logic, there is a belief that there is one best or correct answer, it should be conducted in a measured, time consuming way and above all, it should be objective way. It is what separates the most intelligent from the rest. Critical thinking when viewed from this perspective does not sound like a great deal of fun to me.

But critical thinking is just one thinking system. Creative or lateral thinking (developed by Edward De Bono in particular) is another one. This system is more open, exploratory, imaginative, generative and divergent . The aim is to create new possibilities rather than trying to win an argument. Being stuck in one position that has to be defended is the complete opposite of creative thinking where the aim is to create movement.

My aim is to help people create a third way of thinking — to think differently, faster. I have found that everyone can be taught to do this in an interactive, engaging way that creates energy and movement (both of ideas and physical). It is energy creating rather than energy sapping. No wonder people find Speed Thinking fun.

In a fast-moving, ever-changing world that expects people to do more with less the critical type of thinking is not enough. Both lateral and speed thinking can complement the traditional approach and help you thrive. What’s more it is fun!

Dr Ken Hudson

Chief Starter,

The Speed Thinking Zone