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Lunchtime Webinar Series:
Six Thinking Modes Dr. Liz McArdle, Principal, BMGI [email protected] www.bmgi.com | www.bmgi.org
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Key Takeaway
Use parallel thinking to ensure that the experience and intelligence of the whole team is used to create a
multi dimensional map of the situation
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Agenda
Parallel thinking for more effective teams
Six thinking modes: • A tool to plan and conduct your meetings • What are the charateristics of each mode? • How can we utilise the modes?
Example of the six thinking modes in solution evaluation
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The Cleverest Player on the Team
• Is there an alternative to playing the Devil’s Advocate?
• What about a positive assessment of the opportunity?
• What about the emotional side of decision making?
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Problem Solving and Decision Making
Parallel thinking Developing a map of the problem
Analysis and judgement Confrontational discussion
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Whose Description is Correct?
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Six Modes of Thinking - White
Neutral and objective
Facts and figures • Believed facts • Checked facts
Timing:
• Usually used towards the beginning of a thinking session
Act like a computer
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Six Modes of Thinking - Red
Emotions and feelings
Intuition and hunches
Timing: • Can be used at the
beginning of a session to make feelings visible if strong views are held
• Used towards the end of a session to reach a decision
• Restrict time available to inhibit desire to justify
Legitimise emotions as an important part of thinking
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Six Modes of Thinking - Yellow
Sunny and positive
Searching for value and benefits
• Optimism versus foolish hope
• Must be a judgement rather than a feeling
Timing: • Can be applied whenever
you need to look for opportunities
Choose to be positive
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Six Modes of Thinking - Black
Sombre and serious
Cautious and careful
Timing: • Used after yellow hat in an
assessment session
“Natural” mode of Western thinking
! Can be abused
and overused
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Six Modes of Thinking - Green
Abundant, fertile growth
Creativity, innovation and invention
Timing:
• Used when new ideas are required
New ideas are delicate seedlings
! One of the key
weaknesses in
creativity is
harvesting ideas
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Six Modes of Thinking - Blue
Detached and cool
Concerned with the organisation and control of the thinking process
Timing: • Used at the beginning and
end of session • Used when session needs
refocused
Ensure the rules of the game are observed
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Thinking modes do not attempt to change personality
Ego is not tied to being correct
Critical judgement is only one aspect of the thinking process
Hidden feelings are revealed
Accepting Human Nature
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Each mode can be used as often as necessary
Not every mode will be needed in a specific session
Types of sequence use
• Pre-set • Evolving
Using the Thinking Modes
!
Discipline is
important – only
the chair can
indicate a change
of mode
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Case Study Background
Profitability of the MP3 player product group is lower than the company’s expectations
• MP3 players are produced in Hong Kong • They are marketed and sold by local teams • Western Europe is the largest market • There is a potential side impact on the market
shares of the highly profitable accessories product group (head phones, chargers etc.)
• Root causes of the disappointing performance have been identified and potential solutions generated
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Set a short time for each mode and extend it if required
• 1 min per person present (except the red mode)
Evaluating Options – MP3 Player
Meeting Kick Off
Assess Data on Options
Reduce Ideas
Evaluate Ideas
Strengthen Ideas
Meeting Wrap Up
Agree objectives &
sequence
Share data to support ideas
Select options for
implementation
Explore benefits of ideas
Address risks and weaknesses
State outcomes & actions
Recap on next steps
Explore risks associated with
ideas
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How might we increase MP3 player’s market share?
Multi-voting – Red Mode
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• A, E, F and G will go! • H will have to be discussed with corporate as it is a global project • Decision on B is pending till we have more details about what is possible
Ease/Impact Matrix – Yellow Mode
Easy Moderate Difficult EASE
IM
PAC
T
Low
Mediu
m H
igh
A
H G
E
D C
B F
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Black – potential risks
Green - solutions
FMEA – Black & Green Modes
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Using the six thinking modes enables you to: • Utilise the intelligence and experience of the entire
team • Focus on building a map of the situation rather
than promoting conflict
The six thinking modes can be adopted to provide more effective sessions within team workshops
Summary
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For more information on this tool please see the following resources:
• De Bono, Edward, Six Thinking Hats, Little, Brown and Co: New York, 1985; 1999 revised edition
• Silverstein, David, Samuel, Phil, DeCarlo, Neil, The Innovator’s Toolkit; 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012
• http://www.edwarddebono.com/index.php/video-lectures-a-interviews
References
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Tips and Tricks
Use talking stick to maintain order
• Ensure only one conversation takes place at a time
Formally announce the transition between the modes
• Consider using some object to focus on the colour of the current mode
When teams are in the storming phase of development use the red mode at the end of the meeting to reflect on the process
Accept the process is not linear and that you may have to revisit the modes
• A predefined sequence may need to evolve – use blue mode to get agreement for this route
Let people experience a well-balanced discussion by using the thinking modes covertly
• Don‘t disclose your use of the modes but as facilitator ensure that all modes are appropriately used
• Once the session is complete explain how the result was achieved
Use for any situation where a multi-dimensional map is needed
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Questions and answers
For more information • Email us at [email protected] • Call: +44(0)8703 892 221 • Visit www.innovatorstoolkit.com • Visit www.bmgi.org for free
resources or www.bmgi.com for more information on training and support for innovation
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