1 Six Thinking Hats ® A Framework For Parallel Thinking In Teams

2 Today’s Purpose Review the key points on the participant online overview Practice using the parallel thinking framework Answer questions Review applications

3 Key Reminders The online overview is a general introduction to prepare you to participate The online overview is a general introduction to prepare you to participate It is not a training course in leading the use of the framework It is not a training course in leading the use of the framework Use the Six Hat framework under the direction of your trained Six Thinking Hat facilitator (full 1 day course) Use the Six Hat framework under the direction of your trained Six Thinking Hat facilitator (full 1 day course)

4 Results Around The World Since 1993 over 200,000 trained Since 1993 over 200,000 trained In use by many of the largest & most successful organizations worldwide In use by many of the largest & most successful organizations worldwide Works well in different cultures Works well in different cultures Applies across all levels & disciplines Applies across all levels & disciplines

5 The Originator Dr. Edward de Bono M.D., Ph.D., (philosophy, medicine & psychology), Rhodes scholar M.D., Ph.D., (philosophy, medicine & psychology), Rhodes scholar World-renowned consultant to business, governments, schools and industry World-renowned consultant to business, governments, schools and industry Author of 62 books in 35 languages Author of 62 books in 35 languages Originator of Six Thinking Hats, Lateral Thinking and Direct Attention Thinking Tools Originator of Six Thinking Hats, Lateral Thinking and Direct Attention Thinking Tools

6 The Need To Improve Three main problems with our current methods of thinking in teams? Differing Perceptions Differing Perceptions Complexity Complexity Adversarial Approach Adversarial Approach

7

8

9 Benefits Of The Six Thinking Hat Framework Parallel Parallel Adversarial Save Time Improve Exploration Improve Creativity & Innovation Foster Collaborative Thinking Move from Problem Solving to Opportunity Identification

10 “Ninety Percent of all thinking mistakes by adults are mistakes in perception, not mistakes in logic.” Dr. Edward de Bono

11 Basics To Participate Six different imaginary hats to put on or off. Each hat is a different color and represents a different type or mode of thinking. We all wear the same hat (do the same type of thinking) at the same time. When we change hats, we change our thinking.

12 White Hat Information & Data Neutral & Objective Checked & Believed Facts Missing Information & Where To Source It FOCUS

13 Red Hat Feelings & Intuition Emotions Or Hunches “At This Point” No Reasons or Justification Keep It Short FOCUS

14 Yellow Hat Why It May Work Values & Benefits (Both Known & Potential) The Good In It Logical Reasons Must Be Given FOCUS

15 Cautions  Dangers Problems  Faults Logical Reasons Must Be Given FOCUS

16 Green Hat Creative Thinking Possibilities  Alternatives New Ideas  New Concepts Overcome Black Hat Problems & Reinforce Yellow Hat Values FOCUS

17 Blue Hat Managing The Thinking Setting The Focus Making Summaries Overviews  Conclusions Action Plans FOCUS

18 Blue Hat Managing The Thinking Setting The Focus Making Summaries Overviews  Conclusions Action Plans Green Hat Creative Thinking Possibilities  Alternatives New Ideas  New Concepts Overcome Black Hat Issues Reinforce Yellow Hat Values Black Hat Why It May Not Work Cautions  Dangers Problems  Faults Give Logical Reasons Yellow Hat Why It May Work Values & Benefits (Both Known & Potential) The Good In It Give Logical Reasons Red Hat Feelings & Intuition Emotions Or Hunches “At This Point” No Reasons or Justification Keep It Short White Hat Information & Data Neutral & Objective Checked & Believed Facts Missing Information & Where To Source It FOCUS

19 Your Facilitator’s Role Define the focus of your thinking Define the focus of your thinking Plan the sequence and timing of the thinking Plan the sequence and timing of the thinking Ask for changes in the thinking, if needed Ask for changes in the thinking, if needed Handle requests from group for changes in thinking Handle requests from group for changes in thinking Form periodic or final summaries of the thinking for consideration by the team Form periodic or final summaries of the thinking for consideration by the team x

20 Your Role Follow the lead of your trained facilitator Follow the lead of your trained facilitator Stick to the hat (type of thinking) that is in current use Stick to the hat (type of thinking) that is in current use Try to work within the time limits Try to work within the time limits Contribute honestly & fully under each hat Contribute honestly & fully under each hat

21 Sequence Use & Single Use Sequence Use - The Blue Hat leader designs a sequence for the team to follow, but may make adjustments as needed (without this method, we would be only Red or Black ) Sequence Use - The Blue Hat leader designs a sequence for the team to follow, but may make adjustments as needed (without this method, we would be only Red or Black ) Single Use - The Blue Hat leader may ask for the use of a single hat at a time as needed Single Use - The Blue Hat leader may ask for the use of a single hat at a time as needed (it helps when you know you won’t get argued; All agree to say same thing, help each other.) (it helps when you know you won’t get argued; All agree to say same thing, help each other.)

22 “The important thing is to not stop questioning.” “The important thing is to not stop questioning.” Albert Einstein Albert Einstein

23 Example Exercise Recently a public zoo began experimenting with a new feeding method for many of the carnivorous animals in the facility. Instead of giving them simply meat at feeding times, they released live prey into their large "natural setting" type enclosures. In some cases an overabundance of other small mammals in the zoo provided an on site food source. The regular feeding times were not altered. This experiment has caught the attention of several zoos in North America. Discuss this idea and see if you think it would work here in the United States?

24 Example Exercise Imagine that this proposal has been made Imagine that this proposal has been made 1. Blue - 1/2 min. 5. Green - 1 1/2 min. 1. Blue - 1/2 min. 5. Green - 1 1/2 min. 2. White - 1 min. 6. Red - 3/4 min. 3.Yellow - 1 1/2 min. 7. Blue - 1 min. 4. Black - 1 1/2 min. 4. Black - 1 1/2 min. It’s a good idea to do another (Yellow + Black) after getting some ideas.

25 A "straw-man proposal" is a simple draft proposal intended to generate discussion of its disadvantages and to provoke the generation of new, better, proposals. As the document is revised, it may be given other edition names

26 There is no such thing as “Objective Discussion”, we all have opinions that we start with and using the data we are trying to build a Case for it. Normally the Problem is: People will finally agree on something that they were not bought in. 6-Hats is a framework for Thinking/Exploring in teams that … 6-Hats is a framework for Thinking/Exploring in teams that … Reduces argument / Drift Reduces argument / Drift Rapid Perception Sharing Rapid Perception Sharing Promotes idea generation (safe time &place) Promotes idea generation (safe time &place) Reduces time Reduces time Better Results Better Results

27

28 GENERATING Alternatives Participant Overview

29 “We can analyze the past, but we must design the future.” Dr. Edward de Bono

30 There was a time that efficiency and problem solving were enough, but today, these just provide the Baseline. PROVOCATIVE OPERATION (PO) PROVOCATIVE OPERATION (PO) The incoming information organize itself in a sequence of temporary state. They are routine patterns. The incoming information organize itself in a sequence of temporary state. They are routine patterns. When do you set yourself to look for New Alternatives? When do you set yourself to look for New Alternatives? To get a New Idea, we need to Start on a New Point. How? Use chance,,, A Random Word… when brain is trying to connect that random word to the Subject, it goes through a Diff. routes which you didn’t know before. To get a New Idea, we need to Start on a New Point. How? Use chance,,, A Random Word… when brain is trying to connect that random word to the Subject, it goes through a Diff. routes which you didn’t know before. (use 3 attributes of that word, and force yourself to find ideas, don’t explain how you got that idea.) (use 3 attributes of that word, and force yourself to find ideas, don’t explain how you got that idea.) Lateral PO

31 Alternatives What is an alternative …. For gluing two pieces of wood together? What is the connection between these options? What is the connection between these options?

32 Alternatives Alternatives are not random Alternatives are not random There is always a connection There is always a connection We seldom clearly define these connections or “fixed points” We seldom clearly define these connections or “fixed points” “Fixed Points” = “Concepts” “Fixed Points” = “Concepts”

33 Alternatives Why Look For Concepts? Identifying and working with concepts drives the generation of more ideas Identifying and working with concepts drives the generation of more ideas Identifying and working with concepts drives breadth in the thinking Identifying and working with concepts drives breadth in the thinking

34 Alternatives The Concept Triangle Purpose or Objective First Idea or Alternative Concept Second Idea Third Idea

35 Alternatives The Concept Triangle Reduce Downtown Litter Fine Those That Litter Ways To Punish People For Littering Make Them Serve Time Picking Up Litter Put Their Picture In Newspaper

36

37 Alternatives Selecting & Defining Concepts Be very precise about the concept Be very precise about the concept Choose the concept carefully Choose the concept carefully Look for multiple concepts Look for multiple concepts Begin the concept statement with “Ways to…” or “Methods of…” and use at least 6-7 words Begin the concept statement with “Ways to…” or “Methods of…” and use at least 6-7 words

38 Alternatives The Three Key Questions to Ask 1. What is the concept behind the idea being expressed? 2. Are there any other ways (ideas or alternatives) to carry out the concept? 3. Are there any other concepts?

39 Alternatives The Concept Fan Purpose or Objective First Idea or Alternative Second Idea Third Idea Concept

40 Alternatives Key Things To Remember 1. Individual idea generation time is valuable to reduce channeling, maintain fidelity and drive efficiency. 2. Extract concepts from individual ideas. Do not group ideas first. 3. Then, find the Concept behind those ideas; try to make a lots of concepts. Don’t look for Similarities. Say: “Ways to….” 4. Then, generate more ideas for each Concept.

41 Alternatives The Concept Fan Purpose or Objective Concepts Ideas Ideas on how to get the persons in two on site departments to work more effectively and closely together

42 OBJ OBJ: Reduce Downtown Litter IDEA IDEA: Fine Those That Litter IDEA IDEA: Serve Time Picking Up Litter IDEA IDEA: Put Picture In Newspaper CONCEPT CONCEPT: Ways To Punish For Littering What is the concept behind the idea? Are there any other ways to carry out that concept? Are there any other concepts?

43 Alternatives Example Exercise

44 Create a posting board divided into an urgent vs important grid Ways to better organize the sticky notes after they are written Concept Fan Example Concept Fan Example OBJECTIVE: Generate ideas on how to make sticky notes more popular OBJECTIVE: Generate ideas on how to make sticky notes more popular Create a to-do list board so notes can be posetd and re- arranged Ways to more easily transport sticky notes after writing Print a blank smiley face on the note so sender can indicate an emotion Notes that look like were torn out – rough edges Have uniquely shaped notes that visually communicat e even without reading Create rolls of sticky notes that can be dispensed in any length Have an urgent vs important grid pre- printed Have pre- printed checkable boxes to indicate things Make them where they will not stick to pockets, etc. when carried Ways to make it easier for sender to clearly indicate something Ways to have sticky notes indicate something in a unique and fun way Ways to provide more flexibility to the user Ways to use shapes to indicate something or enhance the message Random Word “onion”“onion” Create a small book with clear plastic pages to store notes for travel Ways to use texture to indicate something or enhance the message Emboss an image to match the fragrance on the note First – Generate some ideas. Add scents & colors to help get message across - scratch & sniff!!! “Are there any Ask – “What is the concept behind this idea?” Ask – “Are there any other ways to carry out this concept?” Ask – “Are there any other concepts? Ask – “Are there any other ways to carry out this concept?” This offer seems a little fishy if you ask me!

45

46 Alternatives “The best way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw out the bad ones.” Linus Pauling Nobel Prize Winner in Physics

47

48

49

50

51

52 Why do gorillas have big nostrils?