Logical and Lateral

Thinking Skills – Life Skills

by Myroslava Stadnyk

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In today’s rapidly changing world we live in, one must be able to sort out an enormous amount of information that is projected on us by technological advances and to have the skill set to think of new and creative ways to succeed. That is, success – whether in search of employment or innovations – is based on the preparedness of an individual to think-on-demand, adapt, sort out the available information or knowledge, and to effectively put it to a practical use.

In Canada, as in other forty-to-fifty countries around the globe, teaching critical (logical) and lateral (creative) thinking skills are becoming more popular, both in university classrooms and within communities.

Last week, on September 21^st/2013, an excellent opportunity was hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Toronto (UCPBA), the Ukrainian Credit Union (UCU), Union of Ukrainian Student Clubs (SUSK), and the New Pathway Newspaper for those interested in acquiring these crucial skills; or as Walter Derzko – the lecturer of the workshop defines – “skills that deal with critical and creative components of exploring a situation, its evaluation, and putting thoughts into play.” Walter Derzko has actively worked in strategic thinking since 1984 – namely he ran the horizon scanning project at Ontario Hydro Additionally, Derzko ran a technology-scanning project for the Business Banking Department at Royal Bank in the 1990s. Today, he continues his career (among the six different careers he has gone through over the years) as an educator – teaching from high school to University levels.

Last week’s introductory workshop offered great insights for those entering the job market, as well as those pursuing a career change. The participants ranged from high school students, university students, to a more mature audience from the Ukrainian community, which are highly interested in Walter Derzko’s influential work. Among the participants, there were parents and their children – which came to share the benefit of Walter’s teachings. With a smile on his face, Derzko noted the exciting experience in teaching this material:  “…it is always nice to see people appreciating the benefits (of the courses he teaches), giving back to the community because of it, and passing it onto their children and families.”

The presentation on thinking skills was enriched with many of Derzko’s personal experiences and anecdotes. One of the most memorable:  the role Derzko played in a conference for Johnson and Johnson, McNeal Labs in Guelph, the makers of Tylenol, who were looking at creating new concepts,  ideas and opportunities in the healthcare space. Mr. Derzko also showed numerous examples of how one can use lateral thinking to design new concepts for new products and services -a dinner plate and rethinking the design of a tennis racket, to rethinking the political system.”

Drawing on examples from another expert on creative thinking – Dr. Edward de Bono, who coined the term “lateral thinking”, the workshop participants also had an opportunity to understand how “unusual, seemingly illogical provocations” can be used as stepping stones to get you thinking in new directions and get you out of a writer’s block or a thinking rut.

The introductory workshop was also filled with discussions on topics such as how one may look for and leverage opportunities beyond the most obvious ones, and how might teaching critical thinking skills in Ukrainian Saturday schools benefit the Ukrainian community in Canada. The participants had the chance to brainstorm with the help of PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting) and CAF (Considering All Factors) practices, and were able to formulate noteworthy responses, ideas and concepts. For example, there were comments as to critical thinking skills being the catalyst to improving overall learning and improved marks in other subject areas in school and in the process, helping young people develop a better understanding of their community and promoting inclusion, development, and participation.

By holding the introduction to these must-have “life skills” and by offering an eight-week follow-up course – commencing Tuesday October 8^th at 7pm, Walter Derzko hopes to show that learning to think creatively will benefit an individual for the rest of their life – whether in “…creating their own job, finding a job, starting their own business and being an entrepreneur.” And beyond – to passing on the wisdom to improve the dialogue within our Ukrainian community.

Walter Derzko will also be conducting a free, half day workshop on lateral thinking for parliamentary interns and alumni that are part of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) on Oct. 14 in Ottawa right before the Model Ukraine White Paper Conference.

To sign up for an eight-week evening course at the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services in Toronto, starting on October 8 (right through October and November), please contact Walter Derzko: wderzko@pathcom.com; or call (416) 819-9667 to register.

PHOTOS

1 - Workshop participants at the Ukrainian Credit Union

2 - Walter Derzko, workкshop presenter