Divergent and Convergent Thinking
📌 Divergent thinking is the ability to generate a wide array of alternative solutions to a problem, such as listing numerous uses for scrap paper (e.g., wrapping food, shims, tissue replacement).
➡️ Convergent thinking is the process of narrowing down possibilities to select one or a few suitable solutions, like determining that both time and hair can be either long or short.
🔄 Creative problem-solving requires both skills: first, using divergent thinking to generate many options, followed by convergent thinking to logically analyze and evaluate those alternatives.

Application of Divergent Thinking
🗣️ During group brainstorming, leaders must foster an atmosphere where ideas flow freely without early judgment, responding to suggestions with encouragement like "Good, what else?" or "Interesting, can we add to that?"
💡 Key characteristics of successful divergent thinking include being fluent, original, flexible, and elaborative in generating ideas, no matter how strange they initially seem.
🛑 Avoid censoring ideas during the divergent phase; all initial suggestions must be noted and supported, as seemingly poor ideas can be the foundation for better ones later.

Application of Convergent Thinking
✅ Convergent thinking involves evaluating generated alternatives against specific criteria to select the most appropriate solution.
📝 An example scenario involved choosing study methods based on two criteria: shortest time commitment and flexibility of location, leading to the selection of group chat discussions and finding online video solutions.
🚫 Premature application of convergent thinking during the divergent phase acts like a mental censor, potentially blocking the birth of truly innovative ideas.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ Trust the timing: During divergent thinking, do not fear proposing "bad ideas"; all input is temporarily considered just an idea without judgment of quality.
➡️ Embrace revision: Ideas that seem weak initially can always be revised, modified, or expanded upon during the later convergent evaluation phase.
➡️ Maximize divergence first: Utilize divergent thinking extensively to create a large pool of options before transitioning to the analytical and evaluative stage of convergent thinking.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Oct 15, 2025, 01:55 UTC