This Green Hat post is one of a five-series collection of articles. I hope to encourage you to identify your default way of thinking, (the hat that best fits your head), and when needed, to consciously choose to wear a different hat. People who deliberately seek to understand other perspectives are a great asset to their organizations. We used only four of the six hats sourced from the definitive and highly recommended text on the subject: Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono. Here is a link to the book.
Put On Your Green Hat When You Need A Fresh Idea
Last week we explored the Black Hat thinking style. When you need to have the facts with clear-headed thinking that sees the logic behind decisions and the history that informs them, you need to wear the Black Hat.
However, logical thinking based on the past can leave you empty-handed when your situation requires some innovative dreaming. Our social norms have radically changed in the last generation, and people value different experiences and outcomes. The Green Hat thinker is dreaming about the future that could become.
Green Hat Signature Moves
Green Hat thinking is about alternatives, possibilities, and the unknowns. Often we can’t substantiate them with facts because the ideas are inventive and exploratory. Sure, you could get in some trouble with Green Hat thinking without the other hats. You will need to have the idea integrated with a well-framed sequence of steps and have evaluated the pros and cons. But without the people who throw out new ideas – our organizations can’t grow and accommodate the rapid changes around us.
Some people are naturally more Green Hat thinkers. They are curious, ask many questions, and take risks.
Don’t confuse passion or energy with creativity. A green thinker can show as an introvert or extrovert, and they are often more to the extreme of one or the other.
How Thinking Varies
Black Hat thinkers can feel frustrated with people on the team who are prone to green hat thinking. The Green Hat ideas start as a seed. They ask: “What if? Why not?” It’s too soon to include a black and white defined finish. Ideas germinate like the amorphous mass of the caterpillar en route to becoming something entirely new (i.e.butterfly). They need space and room to evolve.
It might be worthy of note while using this butterfly analogy that the chemical breakdown of the caterpillar is almost entirely complete. There is little left of the old idea: new ideas – new innovations.
Likewise, Green Hat thinkers can feel they don’t belong or thrive in an environment where people assume they know all that needs to be known, now and in the future. You can lose your “future gold” by not recognizing and giving Green Thinkers space to thrive.
Leaders Building Great Teams
A wise leader will intelligently equip their teams with both thinkers (and the other four thinking hats, for that matter)! If you are hiring for new positions, consider the balance of your thinking ability on your team—design new teams with carefully considered strengths.
The best outcome is that you have experienced and confident people on your team who can recognize the need and adapt by changing hats as necessary. Indeed, as a leader, it is worth your time to invest in your ability to multi-hat!
