Vertical vs. Horizontal Thinking

The American education system has traditionally taught vertically. Most of us grew up moving from classroom to classroom. We would open a textbook and think narrow and deep on a subject for an hour. The bell would ring, we would move to the next classroom, open the next textbook and think narrow and deep for another hour. Soon enough, we graduate, go to college and choose a “major” and think narrow and deep.

Vertical thinking is at the heart of specialization and mastery. In organizations, vertical thinking is essential. So is horizontal thinking.

Horizontal thinking involves looking across a domain—seeing patterns and connections. Horizontal thinking is like coming out of the forest by climbing up a tree. You poke your head up through the foliage, see all the trees and begin to notice everything else beyond the forest.

Vertical and horizontal thinking complement each other. Seeing the patterns and the big picture helps us in choose the "right forest." Vertical thinking helps us dig in, know the terrain and move through the trees.

Cultivating vertical (left-mode thinking) and horizontal (right-mode thinking) thinking in an organization begins with honoring the value of both. How are you honoring the value of both in the learning experiences you design? Are you creating opportunities for the learner to see the forest and the trees?

Enjoy the process,
Jeanine O'Neill-Blackwell
President/CEO, 4MAT 4BUSINESS