Innovations arise from ideas. In most cases, however, these ideas are not generated in a targeted manner, but rather by chance. However, the ideas are often not structured specifically for a particular issue. This makes implementation more difficult or does not take place at all. The creativity technique of the 6 Hats Method can help here.
First, we need to look at the basics of creativity in business before applying the 6 Hats Method.
Preparation for creative workshops
- Good ideas often come from teams.
- The team should consist of different departments.
- Supervisors and authoritarian personalities can lead to blocking creativity for the rest of the team.
- Allow time and give the opportunity to get away from the daily business.
The question should be as precise as possible and narrow down the subject area.
Where does the 6 Hats Method come from?
The 6 Hats Method, also called Thinking Hats, is a creativity technique introduced by Edward de Bono in 1986. He is a British medical doctor, cognitive scientist and writer. De Bono is one of the leading teachers of creative thinking. His techniques help people find new ideas and break free from entrenched thought patterns.
Principle of the 6 Hats Method
It involves six different colored hats. A starting point of the method lies in the assumption that the brain thinks in different ways, which can be consciously controlled, and thus can be used in a discussion at certain times.
The individual hats stand for:
- blue: organizing, moderating thinking: overview of processes (‘big picture’: the blue sky) – How do we best use the other hats?
- white: analytical thinking: focusing on facts, requirements and how they can be achieved (objective: the white sheet) – What facts do we have?
- red: emotional thinking, feeling: Focusing on feelings and opinions (subjective: fire and heat) – How do I and others feel about the issue?
- black: critical thinking: risk consideration, problems, skepticism, communicating criticism and fears (critical: doom and gloom) – What problems can occur?
- yellow: optimistic thinking: what is the best-case scenario (speculative: sunshine) – What is the best possible final situation?
- green: creative, associative thinking: new ideas, creativity (constructive: growth) – What alternative solutions are there that we haven’t thought of yet?
Procedure of the Method
The 6 Hats Method is based on parallel thinking. This means that when working on a task, all participants always wear the same hat color and change hats together. In this way, conflicts are avoided and yet all positions are taken into account. At the same time, it is also a method for improving communication in a group.
- Determining the starting color
- Occupation of the participants with the topic under consideration of the currently determined thinking hat. The participants document their thoughts.
- Change of color for all participants according to previously determined order
- Repeating steps 2 and 3 several times as long as fresh ideas and thoughts are expressed, but at least so often that all six roles have been worked through.
- Discussion and evaluation of the resulting ideas, suggestions and thoughts
Practical tips
- Allow identical speaking time for each hat
- Practice method initially with simple questions
- Start with white hat, end with blue hat
- Note down ideas and only then discuss them
- Also test once in solo mode