A new perspective to solving your problems! Give it Try.
“Houston, we have a problem” from the movie Apollo 13 has become iconic, often used to describe unexpected issues or challenges.
Let me ask you a question. When you face a challenge or problem, what process do you walk through to solve it? We all have to solve problems in life – but very few of us have a method for doing so. We look at the situation and offer one or two solutions. I will share a technique I learned that you can use for group discussion and individual reflection—an exercise you can use at any time to enhance your problem-solving and help you make decisions quickly.
I learned this technique from Edward de Bono, a Maltese physician, author, inventor, and consultant. He is best known for originating lateral thinking and writing many books on thinking, including The Six Thinking Hats. He dedicated his life to helping people improve their thinking abilities and creativity skills to solve problems.
De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a powerful technique for looking at decision-making from different perspectives. It involves six distinct types of thinking, which you can do on your own or with your team.
A different hat represents each thinking style:
To solve a problem well, we must look at it from several perspectives.
Think about one problem or challenge you may be facing, write it down, and let’s walk through the process together.
There is the Power of Thinking Differently
THE 6 THINKING HATS
Edward De Bono developed the 6 Thinking Hats tool to help you look at a problem from 6 different perspectives.
When making decisions, many people are overwhelmed by information, and this technique allows you to consider just one perspective at a time.
Pick a problem or decision you need to make and apply the technique. Start by imagining you have six hats in front of you. Imagine you are putting on one hat at a time.
THE WHITE HAT IS THE HAT OF LOGIC
When you wear the white hat, ask yourself: what information or data is available? What are the facts? How can I look at this objectively?
To remember the white hat as logical, imagine a scientist or doctor gathering information in a white coat.
THE RED HAT IS THE HAT OF EMOTION
When you wear the red hat, ask yourself how you feel. What emotions come up? What is my intuition or gut telling me?
Imagine a heart to remember the red hat as the feelings and emotions.
THE BLACK HAT IS THE CRITIC
When you wear the black hat, ask yourself: what could go wrong? What are the downsides? Why won’t this work?
Imagine a judge’s robes to remember the black hat as the critic.
THE YELLOW HAT IS THE HAT OF OPTIMISM
When you wear the yellow hat, ask yourself: what could go right? What are the benefits? What is the upside? What are all the opportunities?
To remember the yellow hat as the optimist, imagine the sun.
THE GREEN HAT IS THE HAT OF CREATIVITY
When you wear the green hat, ask yourself: how can I be creative? What are the possibilities? What other options and innovative solutions are available? Could I consider something else?
To remember the green hat as the creative one, imagine green grass growing.
THE BLUE HAT IS THE MANAGER
When you wear the blue hat, listen to the other options – six hats, think about the big picture, and decide.
To remember the blue hat as the manager, think about the sky.
You should think about your problem and walk through this process.
We all face problems personally and professionally, and now you have a process to help you make the best decision after looking at six different perspectives. So put on your Hats and start solving more problems quickly!
I would love to know how you solve problems. If you know someone who can benefit from this topic, share it with them. If there is a topic you would like me to discuss, private message me.
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