Definition of Linear Thinking

Essentially, linear thinking is to look at something from one point of view. If a person practices linear thinking, she sticks to a straight line of thought, meaning she takes information from one situation and applies it to similar situations. Another definition of linear thinking includes responding to one stimuli before responding to the next. Linear thinkers are thought to be logical and orderly, excelling at subjects like math and science.

Definition of Nonlinear Thinking

The term "nonlinear" means that something is not in a straight line, and this concept can be applied to a person's method of thought. A person who thinks nonlinearly often makes connections among unrelated concepts. A nonlinear thinker will jump from idea to idea, unlike a logical, linear thinker. Nonlinear thinkers usually perform well in the arts and tend to be more abstract.

Pros and Cons of Linear Thinking

The biggest advantage for linear thinkers is the ability to think logically and sequentially. However, while linear thinkers do excel in more left-brained activities, a person who thinks linearly can be deficient in arts and languages. Another disadvantage to linear thinking involves the lack of abstract thinking. Without the ability to think abstractly, a linear thinker may miss new and exciting ways to look at problems.

Pros and Cons of Nonlinear Thinking

Just as with linear thinking, a major disadvantage of nonlinear thinking is a deficiency in math and science, although not all non linear thinkers struggle in this area. Albert Einstein would have been considered a nonlinear thinker, but he clearly excelled in the areas of math and science. However, Einstein's math and science abilities were fueled by his ability to think in the abstract, which is a major part of being a nonlinear thinker. Nonlinear thinkers can often be seen as having an attention deficit, even to the point of having attention deficit disorder. Nonetheless, nonlinear thinking often produces positive results, even though the means to reach the results may not always be traditional.

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Logic and Creativity

Some of us pride ourselves on being logical. We think through ideas with the efficiency of a well-

oiled machine. We enjoy structured thought and evidence-based conclusions. I’m sure you know

the type – we plan out every step of a process, follow the Gantt chart to the “t”, and ensure results

within schedules and deadlines.

Others of us pride ourselves on being creative. We rejoice in the big ideas, in the new

discoveries, and in the satisfaction of creation. We are always coming up with new ways to solve

problems, love the questions “what if?” and don’t mind jumping ahead in a conversation to tell you

what we just thought of.

I suggest that these two characteristics of humans (logic and creativity) are often correlated with

two different, but not disconnected types of thought processes: Linear and non-Linear thinking.

Rather than argue that one is more important than the other, I suggest that they are both integral

to success in business and, on the grander scale, life.

The Linearity of Logic

“Linear Thinking” is defined as:

a process of thought following known cycles or step-by-step progression where a response to a

step must be elicited before another step is taken.

If a = b, and b = c, then a = c. The application of linear thinking can be found in the well known

Socratic Method:

a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and

answering questions to stimulate rational thinking and to illuminate ideas

Jan Helfeld, a rather infamous libertarian reporter, provides an amusing (or infuriating –

depending on who’s side you’re on) application of the Socratic method to our political

representatives. It’s all very logical, and for those who don’t build their policies or opinions on

logic, it’s a game that raises tempers with captivating efficiency. After watching, I tend to wonder

if any of our policy makers think through their political conclusions logically. Logic seems lost from

our world, like an ancient language that’s spoken only by tribes of some distant jungle.

More important to this blog’s argument however, is that Jan’s use of the Socratic method is also

extremely linear. As much as the person in the hot seat wants to jump around and evade, Jan

forces them to answer one question before they move on to the next. The videos remind me of

walking a puppy – when they want to walk every direction but the one you’re traveling. You reign

them in every time before moving forward.

Though you may doubt it after watching Jan Helfeld’s videos, much of our world is indeed

structured upon the concept of logic (very basic logic at least). We learn math, deductive

reasoning, and tend to apply these logical processes to our everyday life. Our drive to do so

comes from our inherent need, as cognitive humans, to categorize our experiences in our minds

and make projections about what the outcome of an action will be. We compare our expectations

with our experience, weigh the similarity, and adjust our thought processes as needed.

Linear thinkers are very much the same. They start at step one and usually do a good and

efficient job of completing the task before moving on to step two. They are driven, focused, and

don’t easily get off topic. Does this sound like you? Perhaps. Or maybe it sounds like the person

in the office you have a tough time working with?

The Dangers of Logic

There’s a danger in relying too heavily on logic. The danger is in the determination of the starting

point. Once a starting point is chosen, there are a limited number of logical conclusions to a

problem. For example, imagine a store owner who believes that he must raise his revenues to

increase his profits. He tries multiple methods including advertising, increasing inventory, and

product bundling to make every possible sale to his customers. But he forgot that he could also

reduce his costs to increase profits, and in doing so missed what could have been much less

expensive, less demanding options.

This example is simplistic, but it underscores the point that for any logical process, there must be

a decided-upon truth as a starting point. And the beauty of logic, is that it allows us to reach an

answer from a given starting point. It’s easy, however, to rely upon starting points simply because

they’re what we’ve used all our lives – starting points that either may be false, or that limit us from

finding a much better answer.

Non-Linear Thinking

Non-linear thinking, a relatively new term, is vague enough (perhaps naturally so) that a simple

google search will yield more beatings-around-the-bushes than formal definitions for the phrase. I

think of it as follows:

Human thought characterized by expansion in multiple directions, rather than in one direction,

and based on the concept that there are multiple starting points from which one can apply logic to

problem.

Non-linear thinking is less constrictive – letting the creative side of you run rampant because of its

inherent lack of structure. It’s kind of like letting a puppy run wild on a walk up a mountain –

anything of interest will be thoroughly investigated (and perhaps peed on) before jumping to the

next, possibly non-related subject! It’s very much like brainstorming – allowing thought to flow,

unhindered, in attempts to arrive upon something special in the process.

Non-linear thought increases possible outcomes by not being so certain about the starting point

for any logic process. Non-linear thinkers tend jump forward, and from side to side through the

steps of a project, in an effort to see the big picture and tackle those areas where they have the

most interest. Where non-linear thinking falters is in finally carrying out the required action,

because as a thought process it often encourages a user to agonize incessantly over where to

start (that agreed upon truth, from which logic can be applied and action can be taken).

A new form of digital presentation created by the folks at Prezi.com is a great example of non-

linear and linear thinking in action. Why? Because rather than a linear slide show, it’s ultimately a

picture, into which you can zoom in and out, infinitely. It allows you to present a product, concept,

or argument in a logically by moving from location to location what is essentially group of images,

but at any point you can zoom out and suddenly, “See the big picture” takes on a whole new

meaning.

In Conclusion

Again, as in my introduction, I stress the importance of both processes. And what I mean by this

is maybe it’s important to have both types of thinkers on a team. Use non-linear thought to

reexamine starting points and increase the possibility of finding the best option, and use linear

thinkers and their efficient logic-based reasoning, once a starting point has been established, to

get the job done in a timely manner. Whatever mixture of these two processes you prefer, take

responsibility for your choices and learn from your mistakes, and I’ll bet on your success.