1.5 - About University

6.6O PTIMIZING Y OUR T HINKING—A HAT 6-PACKInspired by Edward de Bono.Thinking hats provide a metaphor for creative and flexible thinking about a problem or opportunity.The hats ensure that issues are approached from a range of different, and even diametricallyopposed, perspectives. Individuals and groups are asked to take the attitude suggestedby each of the imaginary hats. At first this may feel artificial, but it helps to unscramble thinking,surface hidden assumptions, keep discussion from drifting, generate a wide range of innovativepossibilities, and, most importantly, lead to better decisions and plans.Benefits of thisHat Typical Color Thinking type of Problems ifcolor lead-in significance attributes thinking overusedWhiteRedBlackYellowGreenBlue“What are thefacts here?”“Tell it like itis.” “Where doyou stand?”“It won’t workbecause … .”“Let’s make ithappen!”“There must bea better way.”“Let’s step backand thinkabout how todo this.”Purity, neutralitySeeing redBlack cloudSunshineFertileCool, the sky(the bigpicture)Facts, figures,information, objective,neutral; like solving amath problemEmotions, intuition,taste, hunch;feelings (e.g., euphoria,fear, apathy)Devil’s advocate.What is wrong, why itwon’t work, risks.Points out errors.BS detector.Constructive,generative, dreams,hopes, visions.Probes and exploresbenefits.Creative, movement,new ideas, newapproaches.Search for alternatives,options, new ways ofunderstanding.Cuts across old patternsand old habits.Focuses thinking.In control, rational,thinking aboutthinking.Facilitates (calls for theuse of all the otherhats).Is logical.Can be explained toothers.Increases chances ofsuccess.Legitimizes emotions.(No need to justifyfeelings; they just are.)Energizes.Tests thinking.Increases the chancesof the decisionactually working.Optimism, positive.Energizing.Teamwork.Can come up with amuch better way ofdoing something.Ensures best process isused.Ensures best use ofpeople’s time.Helps reducedecision-making time.Undervalues intuitionand feelings. May stiflecreativity. Low energy,lack of heart,enthusiasm, buy-in.Erratic action. “Allheart, no head.”Danger of personalizingconflict.Negative, judgmental,depressing. Inaction.Pessimism.Skepticism when itdoesn’t work.Many ideas, few decisionsand actions.Going off half-cocked.Inaction—too muchtime spent on how todo something versusdoing it. Argumentsover process.186 SECTION 6 TOOLS FOR CRITICAL THINKING AND INNOVATION