The Thinking Hats

Problem Solving

• Thinking about the problem• Generating Solutions• Establishing Criteria for evaluating ideas• Using the criteria to evaluate ideas• Ranking your ideas• Trying your idea• Is the problem solved?

Problem Solving

• Finding solutions to a problem is not a black and white issue

• Different people have different ways of solving problems

• Lateral Thinking – generating ideas by being flexible and creative– Break away from the standard solutions and think

in different ways– Often known as “out of the box” thinking

The 6 Thinking Hats

The White Hat

• Gathers facts, figures, and objective information

• Emotions are not allowed to interfere• Thinks like a computer – emotions do not

interfere

The Red Hat

• Recognizes emotions that will go into decision making

• Uses hunches and feelings to generate ideas

The Green Hat

• Practices lateral thinking that includes– Creativity– Alternatives– Proposals

• Encourages change

The Black Hat

• Gives judgement to ideas that are proposed• Practices caution• Often presents logical cases against the idea• “Devils Advocate”

The Yellow Hat

• Looks for positive outcomes• The reasons the idea will work• Assesses the benefits of a solution

The Blue Hat

• The facilitator• Thinks about the thinking process• Gets the other hats to work together• Works on solving the problem – not the

problem itself

Activity• Get into 6 Groups (groups of 2 or 3)• Your group will be assigned a hat• Your job is to take that role in the problem solving

process (situation will follow)• You must come up with arguments/questions that this

type of thinker may have• Complete the handout – how does this thinking help

start running a business• We will go around the class to the different groups to

complete all the hats• Last Question: What type of thinker are you?

SituationYou have always been an excellent student in fine art subjects but have not excelled in other academic areas. Even your hobbies involve participation in the fine arts.

However, you have been doing some research into labour market information and are unsure of the realities of making a living in the fine arts. Although the thought of choosing an alternative career path does not seem authentic, you are wondering if doing so is more realistic in today’s job market.

What should you do?