#69. De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats
Go Beyond Your Biases
Welcome to the blog post #69! Click here to read more from previous posts.
Imagine you're assigned to present in front of a large audience, but public speaking isn't your forte. Guess which thoughts might run through your mind?
The first might be, "This is a great opportunity to share my ideas with a large audience!" (optimistic).
Then comes the worry, "I've never spoken to such a large crowd. How can I ensure I deliver the speech well?" (cautious).
Another thought might emerge: "Maybe I can try the new public speaking technique I just learned" (creative).
This whole internal dialogue highlights the power of perspective. As Edward de Bono said:
"Sometimes the situation is only a problem because it is looked at in a certain way."
This leads us to a question: How can we gain different views of a situation? Do we have any frameworks for this?
It’s the place for De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats framework. It's a technique that allows your emotions, skepticism, and creativity to work together with your logical thinking to make well-rounded decisions.
It requires you to put on six hats:
White Hat: Focus on gathering and analyzing information objectively based on facts and data.
Yellow Hat: Explore the positive aspects, benefits, and potential of ideas.
Black Hat: Identify potential risks, drawbacks, and challenges associated with ideas.
Green Hat: Encourage creative solutions and "out-of-the-box" thinking.
Red Hat: Express emotions, feelings, and gut instincts related to the scenario.
Blue Hat: Manage the thinking process, set ground rules, and ensure everyone participates effectively.
By putting on each hat, you actively explore the situation from different angles and perspectives.
Why Embrace the Six Thinking Hats Framework?
Thinking Beyond Your Biases
Our brains are wired for efficiency, but this often leads to bias. Optimists might breeze past potential problems, while pessimists get stuck in a cycle of worry. The Six Thinking Hats framework combats this by encouraging us to consider situations from multiple perspectives.
Imagine two people facing the same challenge. One, an optimist, sees only opportunities. The other, a skeptic, focuses solely on risks. The Six Thinking Hats provide a way to bridge this gap. Each hat represents a specific thinking style.
By metaphorically "wearing" each hat, you explore a situation from various angles. This holistic approach helps you uncover hidden aspects, potential pitfalls, and innovative solutions you might have otherwise missed.
Structured Decision-Making and Boosted Creativity
The Six Thinking Hats framework doesn't just promote well-rounded decisions; it also fosters creativity. By creating a safe space for diverse viewpoints, including "out-of-the-box" ideas, it unleashes the collective creative power of a team or individual.
The Blue Hat ensures a structured discussion, keeping everyone focused and contributing effectively, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
How To Apply The Six Thinking Hats Framework?
This technique is popularly used by corporations to facilitate brainstorming discussions. It begins by clearly defining the situation or problem you want to analyze, ensuring all participants have a shared understanding.
The next step is to assign a hat (thinking role) to each participant. The discussion then proceeds sequentially in rounds, with participants switching hats to stimulate diverse thinking. A facilitator is needed to guide the discussion, explain each hat's function, and ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
After brainstorming, take a step back to review and analyze the collected data and ideas. Evaluate all pros and cons from different perspectives before making a decision.
While this technique is suitable for group discussions, it can also be applied in your personal thinking process. Let's take an example of how it works:
Situation: You are offered a job in a different country and need to make a decision about this offer.
Below is the thinking process with questions and ideas you have in each hat.
1. White Hat - Analyze based on neutral facts
What are the details of the job offer (position, salary, and benefits)?
What's the cost of living in the new city compared to my current one?
What are the cultural and language considerations?
2. Yellow Hat - Provide optimistic views
How will this career opportunity boost my professional development?
How will my perspectives be broadened when living in a new country and exposing to new cultures?
Which experiences will I enrich from working in this new environment?
3. Black Hat - Apply critical thinking to identify risks
I’m doing a good job and have a wide social network here. Why should I take risk to start from beginning?
The new country has a different culture with my current country. What will be obstacles for me to adapt to a new culture and language?
What are the potential downsides of leaving my current social circle behind?
4. Green Hat - Explore creative options
Could I negotiate a remote work arrangement to maintain some connection with my current job?
Maybe I should explore some language learning apps to learn the native language and do research about the new country’s culture beforehand.
Perhaps I can connect with people online who have already made a similar move to get advice.
5. Red Hat - Express your emotions about this offer
Am I feeling excited about the potential adventure and new experiences?
Is there a part of me that feels hesitant or worried about leaving my comfort zone?
How will this decision impact my relationships with family and friends?
6. Blue Hat - Plan for next steps of decision making
What additional research do I need to conduct before making a final decision?
Who can I talk to for advice and support throughout this decision-making process?
Set deadlines for making a decision and take time to weigh all the factors carefully.
By looking at the information gathered under each hat, you can consider the potential benefits, challenges, and emotional aspects. Based on the comprehensive analysis, you can make a well-informed decision about accepting the job offer. The different perspectives from each hat will help you weigh the risks and rewards, leading to a decision that aligns with your goals and values.
It’s all for today. Till next week!
Cheers,
Do Thi Dieu Thuong