People can have different types of thinking but some of them they may be better suited to come up with solutions when we have a problem in front of us. It is known that divergent thinking is more creative and that through brainstorming it allows you to find a correct solution to a problem after considering various possibilities. But what does divergent thinking look like and how can it help you make good decisions when faced with a problem?
Convergent thinking is a problem-solving technique in which ideas from different fields or participants are brought together and synthesized to find the best (unique) solution to a defined problem. It is contrary to divergent thinking that looks for many possible solutions to choose the right one. Convergent thinking only looks for a solution to a certain problem.
Convergent thinking vs divergent thinking
This type of thinking is associated with logic rather than creativity. It is a thought rooted in analysis, judgment and decision making. The different possible solutions are analyzed and they are classified, evaluated, the pros and cons are analyzed, decisions are made to be able to tackle a problem. You are looking for the correct solution and not multiple solutions that could be correct.
Of the solutions that are initially considered, some may be discarded because they take up too much time, require too much resources or money, or simply because they are not possible. Convergent thinking therefore consists of logically and strategically reviewing the possible solutions to a problem to find the best among them.
There are people who wonder if convergent thinking is better or worse than divergent thinking ... Everyone is capable of having both thoughts in their mind, and it will depend on the situation that they choose one thought or the other, although it may be natural to lean towards one more than towards another to tackle problems or projects depending on the personality of the person.
There are those who may have a natural preference for divergent thinking, since they are innately more decisive people, they have more creative thinking. These people are usually better able to solve complex problems because they have a greater capacity to have new ideas and also, that they are useful enough to be able to use several of them in the same conflict or problem.
Where is the problem?
In reality, neither of the two thoughts is better than the other, there is simply the problem that a person becomes too dependent on one method of thought. Getting too carried away by divergent thinking can lead to endless ideas and that you do not find the solution you really need for the conflict. On the other hand, getting too carried away by convergent thinking can cause the person to not have new ideas and to become paralyzed in the analysis of the problem and the possible solution.
The secret is to find the balance. The creative process, thinking and approach to the problem must change on some occasions in order to find the best solutions. In order to select the best divergent ideas, the potential of each of them must be determined, that is, they must be analyzed, and how is this achieved? Through convergent thinking.
In addition, in convergent thinking the choice of ideas is deliberate and conscious, having part of divergent thinking. The criteria that are applied in the ideas section, although the options are evaluated and refined, there are “raw ideas” that, although they require more development, must be had to be able to analyze later.
How to develop convergent thinking
There are a series of guidelines that you can use in the case that you want make decisions about the ideas you generate through divergent thinking. That is, if you have ideas but want to analyze them to find the best one and that convergent thinking is the one that ultimately helps you, these guidelines will go well for you.
Guidelines for convergent thinking
- Keep a deliberate attitude. Allow the decisions you have to make to have time and the respect they need. Avoid quick, impulsive, or unthinking decisions. You should give each option a fair chance to be analyzed.
- Check your goals. You have to verify the choices you make regarding the goals you want to achieve at each step. This is known as the reality check. Do you have all the options in mind?
- Improve your ideas. Not all ideas are viable solutions, although at first they do seem so. Even the most promising ideas need to be honed and strengthened to really pay off. For this reason, you should always take enough time to think and reflect on your ideas and thus improve them.
- Keep an affirmative attitude. Even in convergence, it is important to first consider what is good about an idea and judge with the purpose of improving, rather than eliminating, ideas.
- Consider accepting the novelty. Don't discount original or novel ideas. Consider ways to adapt, rework or change the ideas you have had until you find the one that really suits you or the circumstances that you must take into account in order to find the solution you want.
Planning and creativity can be friends
As you can see, convergent thinking and divergent thinking can go hand in hand, because by seeking balance you can obtain better results. This means that planning and creativity are not mutually exclusive. When you finally understand what each type of thought is like, you will be able to realize that both are balanced, and they are needed!
There is a time and a place for each and This way they can be used effectively both in your personal and professional life. You will be able to have a mind in conflict resolution much more flexible, agile and that supports change and new ideas as a factor of success.