title the six thinking hats · 7/12/2017 · dr. edward de bono’s six thinking hats – blue hat...

Date: 12 July, 2017

Presenter: Will Broadus, Professor of Systems Engineering andProgram Management, Defense Acquisition University, Mid-Atlantic Region

Moderator: Jim Davis, Logistics Department Chair, DefenseAcquisition University, Mid-Atlantic Region

Presentation Title

Title: The Six Thinking Hats

DAU WebinarIntroduction to Critical Thinking: Six Thinking Hats

1. Need for Critical Thinking

2. Power of Parallel Thinking

3. The Six Thinking Hats

Webinar Learning Objectives

Critical Thinking

• Recognized Need by Leadership• Needed Now More Than Ever

– Declining Budgets– Closing Innovation Gap with Adversaries

Mr. Frank Kendall former USD (AT&L)Implementation Directive for Better Buying Power 2.0

Critical Thinking-Benefits

• What is Critical Thinking?– Skill?– Tool?– Discipline?

Dictionary.com : “disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.”

Adding some structure to thinking…

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Thinking Frameworks

• What methods were used in your meetings?

• Thinking Frameworks - How we approach thinking

– Argumentative Thinking – Socratic Method

– Parallel Thinking – focus on a specificmindset

• Thinking Tools– SWOTAnalysis

(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats)

– Theory of Constraints– Six Thinking Hats

“Thinking is the hardest

work there is, which is

probably the reason why

so few engage in it.”- Henry Ford

Argumentative Thinking

Argumentative Thinkingo Western Philosophyo Big 3 (Socrates, Plato,

Aristotle)

o Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis

o Empirical Observationo Individual Focus

o Competitive

Roots

Process

Nature

Argumentative Thinking vs Parallel Thinking

Argumentative Thinkingo Western Philosophyo Big 3 (Socrates, Plato,

Aristotle)

o Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesiso Empirical Observationo Individual Focus

o Competitive

Parallel Thinkingo Eastern Philosophyo Confucius

o Answer Grows From Groupo Holistic Viewo Collective Contribution

o Collaborative

Roots

Process

Nature

No “Right” or “Wrong” Just Different

Parallel Thinking

• Parallel Thinking– “Networking” ideas

– Look at an issue from different perspectives

– Gets the whole team involved– Sensitizes thinking

• A Creative and Critical Thinking Process

– Holistic view of yourPlan for Change

• Decision• Problem Solving

• Build Thought Map

“ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.” - Helen Keller

Thought Map

Thought Map - A graphic representation of the thinking process a products of thinking

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats

● After learning the skills behind theSix Thinking Hats® system, you’ll:o Hold critical meetings without emotions or

egos making bad decisionso Avoid the easy but mediocre decisions by

knowing how to dig deepero Increase productivity and even more

important – be more effectiveo Make creative solutions the normo Maximize and organize each person’s

thoughts and ideaso Get to the right solution quickly and with a

shared vision Proven time saver to internationalthinkers of all ages!

Mission Assistance for Intact Teams

WHITE HAT: neutral and objective, concerned with facts and figures

RED HAT: the emotional view

BLACK HAT: careful and cautious, the “devil’s advocate” hat

YELLOW HAT: sunny and positive

GREEN HAT: associated with fertile growth, creativity, and new ideas

BLUE HAT: cool, color of the sky, above everything else-the organizing hat

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats – Blue Hat

● Think of blue sky, above everything else

● Purposeo Process Controlo Discipline Processo Summaries and Conclusions

Blue Hat


● Control of Thinkingo Example: “We do not have much time to consider this

matter, so we must use our time effectively. Would someone like to suggest a blue hat?”

● Focuso Example: “We want to focus on preparing a range of

possible responses to price cutting by our competitors.”

● Program Designo Example: “We will start with some blue hat thinking to design

the program we want to follow.”

Blue Hat


● Organizingo What is the problem?o What process will we use?o What is the decision?o What are the main points

justifying the decision?

Blue Hat

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats – White Hat

● Think about a white sheet of paper● Just the

Facts! o NoEmotion o NoOpiniono No Speculationo Example: “Fact one: that turkey meat sales

have risen by twenty-five percent in the last year. Fact two: some market research shows that people claim to buy turkey meat because of cholesterol concerns.”


● Whose Fact Is It?o It matters who said ito Two Tiers: Checked Fact and Unchecked Fact

● Japanese-Style Inputo Make a thought map

● Facts, Truth and Philosopherso Just because you have never seen a black

swan, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist!

● Who Puts on the Hat?o Individual or Group

Assumptions are “Facts in Waiting”


● Information Gapso What Information are we lacking?o Where can we find the Information we need?o What Assumptions must we make and monitor

as we execute the plan for change?o What Norms, Policies, Guidance, Regulation,

or Laws must we consider?

● 3 Main Objectiveso Understand the Objectiveo Contexto Framing Assumptions

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats – Red Hat

● Think Fire, Reaction, or Emotiono No justification!

● The Place of Emotions in Thinkingo Emotions Can Change During Thinking Process

● Intuition and Huncheso Valuable to Making Effective Changeso Valuable Warningso Based on Judgment and Experience

REDHAT

Gut Feel


● Moment to Momento Can Use Anytimeo Example: “I want to make a red hat statement. I

feel we are being bullied into an agreement.”

● The Use of Emotionso Emotional Backgroundo Expose Values

● The Language of Emotionso Be Preciseo Example: “We are simply out of tune on this

matter.”

REDHAT


● Emotionso What is your gut feeling?o How might your feelings change over

time?o How might other stakeholders feel?o List stakeholders and how they might

react?o How might stakeholders feelings

change?

REDHAT

All Decisions Are “rooted” in Emotion

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats – Black Hat

● Think “Devil’s Advocate”o Needs Justification

● Cautious and Carefulo Example: “We need to be aware of possible

dangers in order to be on the lookout for them. We need some black hat thinking here.”

● Content and Processo Point Out Errors in Thinkingo Question Strength of Evidenceo Link to Conclusiono Only Possible Conclusion?


● The Past and the Futureo Project past experience into futureo Examples: “I see a danger that the

competition will match our lower prices.”

● The Problem of Overuseo Easy to be Criticalo Easy for Some-Allows Controlo Hard for Others-Gives Permission


● Devil’s Advocateo Why will the plan for change NOT work?o What can we do to make this a huge

failure?o Who should we ignore or alienate to

ensure this plan for change is a failure?

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats – Yellow Hat

● Think Sunny and Positiveo Captures Benefit

● Speculative-Positiveo Example: “The positive thing is now we know how he is

going to act. The uncertainty is over.”

● The Positive Spectrumo Proven-Good Chance-Even Chance-Long Shot

● Reasons and Logical Supporto Basis of Viewo Must be Supported

YellowHat


● Constructive Thinkingo Find How to Make it Worko Example: “There is abundant water in the mountains fifty

miles away. Would it be feasible to put in a pipeline?”

● Speculationo The Power of “If”o Example: “Bond prices will rise “if” interest rates fall.”o Best Scenario

● Relation to Creativityo Find a Way to Make It Happen…

Not Another Way

YellowHat


● Constructiveo What are the Benefits?o What is the Value Added?

● Elevator SpeechYellowHat

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats – Green Hat

● Think Fertile Growth● Creative Thinking

o Example: “Let’s have some new ideas on this. Put on your green thinking hats.”

● Lateral Thinkingo Pattern Switching in an Asymmetric Patterning Systemo Break Out of Thinking Pattern

● Movement Instead of Judgmento Step Forward to New Ideaso Example: “I want you to use this idea for its movement

value not its judgment value. Suppose everyone became a policeman.”


● The Need for Provocationo Provocation Operation (Po)-tool to Jump Thinkingo Randomly pick word from a Dictionaryo Example: “Word Cheese…Television Po Cheese.

Cheese has holes. Po the TV screen has holes. Perhaps we could put a picture in the picture.”

● Alternatives● Opportunities● Personality and Skill

o Not about one hat…It is about thinking!

● What Happens to the Ideas?o Create Idea Managers for good ideas


● Alternativeso What are alternative approaches to the plan for

change?o How can we apply the techniques in the plan

for change to solve other problems?o Assuming the plan for change is successful,

how can we build on that success?o What new ideas does the plan for change

generate?


● Control and Monitoringo Discipline and Focuso Example: “I am going to put on my blue

thinking hat in order to say that I think we arestraying away from the central issue.”

● Summaries and Conclusionso All wear Blue Hat for thiso Example: “Wearing my blue hat it seems to

me that our conclusions are as follows.”

Organizing• What is the problem?• What process will we

use?• What is the decision?• What are the main

points justifying thedecision?

BlueHat

Process Options

Process

Idea/Proposal

Decision

INFORMATION EMOTION BENEFITS DISADVANTAGES ALTERNATIVES

Process Options

Process

Idea/Proposal

Decision


Yello w

Black

GreenRed

White

Blue

Idea/Proposal

Process Options

Process

Idea/Proposal

Decision


Yello w

Black

GreenRed

White

Blue

Y lw

Black

GreenRed

White

Bl e

Idea/Proposal Decision

In Practice

“At-Grade” Rail Crossings are Inherently Dangerous.

Clifton, VA

In Practice

Process

“At-Grade” Rail Crossings are Inherently Dangerous.Idea/Proposal:● Construct a Traffic and

Pedestrian Bridge

Clifton, VA

In Practice

Process


Pedestrian Bridge

Decision


Clifton, VA

In Practice

INFORMATION• Accidents at all “at grades”• Accidents at this “at grade”• Accidents at bridges• Cost of construction• Cost of maintenance “at

grade”• Cost of maintenance “bridge”• National Historic Registry


Pedestrian Bridge

Process

Decision

EMOTION BENEFITS DISADVANTAGES ALTERNATIVES

Clifton, VA

In Practice



Process


Pedestrian Bridge

Decision

EMOTION• Commuters Happy• Residents Angry• CSX Happy• Construction Co Happy• Gallop not Happy

BENEFITS DISADVANTAGES ALTERNATIVES

Clifton, VA

In Practice



Process


Pedestrian Bridge

Decision


BENEFITS• Safer• Pedestrian Friendly• Commuter Friendly

DISADVANTAGES ALTERNATIVES

Clifton, VA

In Practice



Process


Pedestrian Bridge

Decision



DISADVANTAGES• Loss of Charm• Loss of commerce• Faster Traffic• Town Shutdown

ALTERNATIVES

Clifton, VA

In Practice



Process


Pedestrian Bridge

Decision



DISADVANTAGES• Loss of Charm• Loss of commerce• Faster Traffic• Town Shutdown

ALTERNATIVES

Clifton, VA

A. Build a by-pass

B. Station a Traffic Cop

C. Erect a Toll Booth

In Practice



Process


Pedestrian Bridge

Decision



DISADVANTAGES ALTERNATIVES

Clifton, VA

• Loss of Charm• Loss of commerce• Faster Traffic• Town Shutdown

A. Build a by-pass

B. Station a Traffic Cop

C. Erect a Toll Booth

WHITE HAT: neutral and objective, concerned with facts and figures

RED HAT: the emotional view

BLACK HAT: careful and cautious, the “devil’s advocate” hat

YELLOW HAT: sunny and positive

GREEN HAT: associated with fertile growth, creativity, and new ideas

BLUE HAT: cool, color of the sky, above everything else-the organizing hat

Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats - Summary

Summary Thought Map

The Six Hats structure thinking to allow answers to emerge from the map

Summary

• Critical Thinking = Key Acquisition Need• Argumentative Thinking supports process of

elimination• Parallel Thinking supports simplifying thinking

and collaborative solutions• The Six Thinking Hats uses parallel thinking

– Allow thinkers to deal with one view at a time– Allow thinkers discipline to change view by

playing the game

Contact Info

• Will Broadus• 240-895-7361• [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

title the six thinking hats · 7/12/2017 · dr. edward de bono’s six thinking hats – blue hat...

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