How many project groups have I participated in during my time at Sauder? 4? 8? 10? How many of those groups have make a commitment to attempt to strive for creative thinking? 1? 2?
dStudio gave me the opportunity to be in a class full of 25+ other likeminded students. Students who were hunger to break out of the regular “project-mold”. Students who were eager to tap into their creative minds. Students who were willing to suggest crazy ideas. Students who understood my need for creative thinking.
I will always remember the lesson of the colored hats. The theory behind these hats are based on research and fact, in fact, the concept of the hats are applied by many organizations in our business community. The concept of the hats are simple: there are six hats. Each hat represents a different cognitive approach to a problem or discussion. Switching hats can change the direction of the discussion. And ensuring that you take time wearing all of the hats is important.
Simple stuff, eh? Not quite. What was most impactful to me about these hats are the insights I made while wearing the hats. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to experience this at a young age. The following are a few insights I had that have changed my approach to design in the future:
- You cannot wear multiple hats at once. “Come on – we live in an age of multitasking! Of course you can”. False. You can only wear one hat at a time. The power of the hats lies when you fully embrace the thinking direction of the hat. For example, the black hat (judgment). Be judgmental! Question the process! Question the feasibility! Question the effectiveness! Question the value proposition! Question everything! There is nothing wrong with fully surrendering to the black hat – or any hat for that matter. In fact, committing whole heartedly to one hat at a time leads to a more holistic and fulfilling discussion.
- You are inherently drawn to certain hats. Consider the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. We all have a unique MBTI. We all have a unique personality. We are all attracted to certain things and instinctually are drawn to others. Same concept applies with the hats. Some of us are immediately attracted to the blue hat, or the red hat, etc. Understanding which hat you’re attracted you allows you to develop your efficiency at using this particular hat. Also, understanding which hat you are not attracted you to allows you to do two things: 1) purposely put on that hat to develop those skills and 2) in a team based setting delegate that hat to someone to ensure that that piece is convered.
- Each hat is as valuable as the next. The black hat is no more valuable than the yellow hat. And the green hat is no more valuable than the white hat. All of the hats have a distinct purpose and using these hats collectively and purposefully allows each hat to the be mutually beneficial to the next hat.
The colored hats experience was truly a rewarding experience. It gave me the opportunity to realize which hat I’m most drawn too. Which hat makes me feel uncomfortable. Which hat I like others to wear because I’m no good at giving it justice. And most importantly, the value of having all six hats present during discussion.
Thank you for introducing us to this design life thinking process. It won’t be a lesson which will be forgotten anytime soon!
So now it’s your turn – go colour your thinking process! Go colour your world – with hats!