Different Opinions: What Hat Do You Wear?

It’s clear that we need a way to respect one another with our different opinions and personal positions. But how do we build a bridge in our relationships when we disagree about hot topics?

The tensions of our lives affect us outside of the workplace, and it’s safe to say we often bring that stress into workplace relationships.

From what radio station people want to hear – to what channel the news is on in the employee lounge, we are constantly navigating the absolutes: absolutely right and absolutely wrong.

How do we find a way to accept one another and collaborate creatively and effectively while we experience a difference of opinion?

The Hats

In our training, I introduce participants to what I believe can contribute to the “absolute syndrome” in a productive and healthy way.

We use the thesis of Edward Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. 

(Here is a link to the book if you are interested)

Bono’s premise is that we learn to work together better (create respectful societies) when we put on a different hat;  the hat represents different ways of viewing the same facts.

Over the next few weeks, we will look at each hat and how they may see the world – and the world events.

The Four Hats

Join me for the next four weeks. We will investigate how the heads wearing these distinctive hats will interpret actions and attitudes. We will look at how others might see you, and conversely, how you might assume things about others depending on your headgear.

  • Black Hat (Logical & Negative) – Black and white thinking.
  • Green Hat (New Ideas & Possibilities) – Creative Mind, Futuristic
  • Yellow Hat (Logical & Positive) – Step by Step Strategies Work Best (don’t rush it)
  • Red Hat (Feelings, Intuition, Emotions) – Emotional, Passionate

Coming Up Next Week: The black hat people and their different opinions.

Remember, you might BE a black hat thinker, or you may be a colleague, neighbor, or spouse to one. In any case, this exploration will broaden your understanding and give you strategic insight into your next (respectful) move.