Encyclopedia of Leadership

6.6

OPTIMIZING YOUR THINKING—A HAT 6-PACK

Inspired by Edward de Bono.

Thinking hats provide a metaphor for creative and flexible thinking about a problem or oppor-

tunity. The hats ensure that issues are approached from a range of different, and even diamet-

rically opposed, perspectives. Individuals and groups are asked to take the attitude suggested

by each of the imaginary hats. At first this may feel artificial, but it helps to unscramble think-

ing, surface hidden assumptions, keep discussion from drifting, generate a wide range of inno-

vative possibilities, and, most importantly, lead to better decisions and plans.

186 SECTION 6 TOOLS FORCRITICALTHINKING ANDINNOVATION

“What are the

facts here?”

“Tell it like it

is.” “Where do

you stand?”

“It won’t work

because ....”

“Let’s make it

happen!”

“There must be

a better way.”

“Let’s step back

and think

about how to

do this.”

Purity, neutral-

ity

Seeing red

Black cloud

Sunshine

Fertile

Cool, the sky

(the big

picture)

Undervalues intuition

and feelings. May stifle

creativity. Low energy,

lack of heart,

enthusiasm, buy-in.

Erratic action. “All

heart, no head.”

Danger of personalizing

conflict.

Negative, judgmental,

depressing. Inaction.

Pessimism.

Skepticism when it

doesn’t work.

Many ideas, few deci-

sions and actions.

Going off half-cocked.

Inaction—too much

time spent on how to

do something versus

doing it. Arguments

over process.

Facts, figures,

information, objective,

neutral; like solving a

math problem

Emotions, intuition,

taste, hunch;

feelings (e.g., euphoria,

fear, apathy)

Devil’s advocate.

What is wrong, why it

won’t work, risks.

Points out errors.

BS detector.

Constructive,

generative, dreams,

hopes, visions.

Probes and explores

benefits.

Creative, movement,

new ideas, new

approaches.

Search for alternatives,

options, new ways of

understanding.

Cuts across old patterns

and old habits.

Focuses thinking.

In control, rational,

thinking about

thinking.

Facilitates (calls for the

use of all the other

hats).

Is logical.

Can be explained to

others.

Increases chances of

success.

Legitimizes emotions.

(No need to justify

feelings; they just are.)

Energizes.

Tests thinking.

Increases the chances

of the decision

actually working.

Optimism, positive.

Energizing.

Teamwork.

Can come up with a

much better way of

doing something.

Ensures best process is

used.

Ensures best use of

people’s time.

Helps reduce

decision-making time.

White

Red

Black

Yellow

Green

Blue

Benefits of this

Hat Typical Color Thinking type of Problems if

color lead-in significance attributes thinking overused