Importance to Have Both Sequential/Linear Thinking and Skills versus Non Linear Thinking Creativity/Innovative/Out of the Box Thinking Skills… Which One Are You? Contributor Michael Marshall, PhD – www.AskTheBusinessDoctor.com

Definition of Linear Sequential Thinking: “The process in which thoughts are put into order of priority concerning the issue at hand and viewed individually as to their merits and demerits. This enables the individual to make the right decision”. ‘A process of thought following known step by step progression where a response to a step must be elicited before another step is taken. Things are put in order in a straight line.’

This applies to successfully completing tasks, objectives and goals in a timely manner, both personally and in business. Management, leadership and those in project management who are well trained and skilled will utilize  ‘Fish Bone Charts’ to guide them with projects, objectives and goals. This is simply a diagram of a fish skeleton with a tail that is the start of a project or objective with a start date and a head for the successful completion with a date.  The skeleton ribs are the detailed tasks in priority sequence needing to be completed with a date and names of individuals responsible for them.

This is the important tool to successfully manage and complete projects, objectives and goals in a timely manner. Individuals with these skills and expertise can apply them to business to their own personal life. BUT in actuality it is best to have well balance skills and thinking in both ‘Linear Sequential Thinking’ and ‘Non Linear Thinking with Creativity, Innovativeness, Out of the Box Thinking’:

The ‘What Ifs’ and the ‘How Abouts’
Non Linear thinkers can view things having multiple start points, tasks and steps from different directions. Both of these thinking views, abilities and skills can be logical. Both of these thinking abilities and skills are important and needed in business, management, leadership and one’s own personal life. Even though some individuals may be naturally inclined to one or the other or neither, these can be trained.

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