THE SUNDAY SCHOLAR
Sunday, 20 June 2021

Sad news this week.

I learned of the passing of Edward de Bono (1933–2021).

Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono (EdB for short) was a Maltese management guru famed for his lateral thinking and parallel thinking skills. He was a best-selling author who sold his ideas to business and governments around the world. His work gets a mention in many MBA programmes.

So in this week’s newsletter, we celebrate the life and times of EdB. We learn how Marmite could solve peace in the Middle East, why Ford Motor Company missed the big time, and how Six Hats can apply to giving feedback. We also spot a type in the latest printed journal. Ooops!

In other news, my entry to Ironman UK this year has been postponed. Hips goosed. Not wanting to undergo hip surgery again, I thought it wise to pull out. Still, it’ll be an amazing day. Sunday, 4th July in Bolton.

Inspire, be inspired!
Bob

rb@twelvescholars.com

BEHIND THE SCENES | ONLINE COURSE

Perfection Paralysis

In our upcoming online course, Make Excellence Your Mission, Chapter 4 is dedicated to Perfection Paralysis. You’ll learn all about Moscow, parking ideas, and why getting to first base—first, matters.

MEYM is our first foray into online training. It’s unique. A combination of digital, audio, print… and wood!

LATERAL THINKING | FOREIGN POLITICS

Marmite peace plan in Middle Yeast

In 2011, Edward de Bono was asked by the Foreign Office to help sort out the Arab-Israeli conflict. His solution was simple—Marmite.

EdB recommended that yeast extract could be used to resolve the region's seemingly intractable problems.

His logic was this. A lack of zinc makes men irritable and belligerent. You get zinc in yeast, which is fine for your average loaf of Warburtons. But in the Middle East, the bread is unleavened. Therefore Marmite is the answer.

EdB said that the classic approach to problem-solving was to identify the problem and then try to remove it. In world affairs, however, many of the problems were not eradicable. Diplomacy meant working round them.

He was confident his zinc theory would be proved if only hospitals in the Middle East would co-operate in tests. But alas, he conceded they probably would not.

Ps Just stumbled upon Warburtons Pride and Breadjudice. Classic!

RECOMMENDED BOOK | SIX THINKING HATS

Better meetings, faster decisions

Meetings are a crucial part of all our lives, but too often they go nowhere and waste a bucket load of time. In Six Thinking Hats, Edward de Bono shows how meeting can be transformed to produce quick, decisive results every time.

In this short video, I explain how can learn apply the Six Hats model to provide better feedback.

LATERAL THINKING | CAR INDUSTRY

Exclusive parking for Ford owners

Ford Motor Corporation asked Edward de Bono, for some advice on how they could clearly differentiate themselves from their many competitors in car manufacturing.

De Bono gave them a very innovative idea.

Ford had approached the problem of competing from the point of view of a car manufacturer and asked the question, “How can we make our cars more attractive to consumers?”

De Bono approached the problem from another direction and asked the question, “How can we make the whole driving experience better for Ford customers?”

His advice was that Ford should buy up car parks in all the major city centres and make them available for Ford cars only. But his remarkable idea was too radical for Ford who saw themselves as a car manufacturer with no interest in the car parking business.

How could you use lateral thinking to better serve your customers?

RECOMMENDED PODCAST | LAST WORD

Inspiring lives, inspiring stories

From unsung heroes to captains of industry, authors and musicians, to actors and politicians, Last Word is Radio 4’s weekly obituary show. And for me, it’s essential listening.

Each week, the lives of famous people are expertly summarised with narration, and interviews from people who knew them.

The most recent episode included:

• Paul Van Doren, the American businessman whose Vans sneakers were adopted by skateboarders, making him a multi-millionaire.

• Alastair Hanton OBE, who set up the National Girobank and developed direct debits to allow greater access to banking before becoming a campaigner for ethical investing and greener transport.

• Violetta Elvin, the Russian ballerina who made her name as a rival to Dame Margot Fonteyn at the Royal Ballet.

• and, Edward De Bono, the psychologist who advocated lateral thinking – and sold the concept to companies around the world.

I’m always amazed at the incredible lives the people have led and the legacy they leave behind. Always worth a listen.

Ps Just noticed a rare typo in the journal… Matthew Bannister presents the show, not Roger Bannister as printed. Easy mistake! ;-)

FINAL STEP | BE A VISIONARY

Six Thinking Hats

Buy a copy. Read it. Pass it on. Simple.

Amazon link here.

I’m keen to hear from anyone who’s had experience of using Six Hats and how they’ve applied it at work.

All the best, Bob

TWELVE SCHOLARS

Leaders with ambition, Excellence their mission.