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Abstract
Physician leaders operate in a realm of uncertainty and guide complex adaptive health care systems. Traditionally, physician leaders have depended on reasoning and logical/sequential thinking to solve organizational problems. This traditional way of thinking is referred to as "vertical thinking." On the other hand, "lateral or horizontal thinking" often used by successful leaders demands a breadth of knowledge and skills that requires an understanding of complex systems. While vertical thinking seeks to develop an existing pattern, lateral thinking seeks to restructure the existing pattern. Lateral thinking is a step-by-step method of creative thinking with prescribed techniques that can be used consciously. If physician leaders fail to adequately and systematically develop and implement lateral thinking skills in problem solving, they may fail to solve complex systems issues adequately and effectively. Systematic training in the application of lateral thinking and complexity theory may assist physician leaders early on to develop effective innovative solutions to complex challenges in the evolving health care system.