Six Thinking Hats (Community Edition)

The Six Thinking Hats provides a structured way to navigate challenges, ensuring we consider all angles and perspectives.

You’re trying to make a decision.

You know it will involve many other folks, and your choice will impact a fair few people.

This sounds like the day-to-day of a community leader.

As community leaders, our role is complex.

We manage macro decisions, micro-interactions, and everything in between.

If you’re looking for a sharper way to lead meetings, where you give everyone a voice but keep on track, then keep reading.

The Six Thinking Hats provides a structured way to navigate these challenges, ensuring we consider all angles and perspectives.

Let’s explore each hat and how it can benefit community leadership.

White Hat: Data-Driven Decision Making

The White Hat is all about the facts. When wearing this hat, focus on the information you have, what you need, and how to get it. This is crucial for community leaders when making decisions about growth strategies, member engagement, or resolving conflicts.

Example:

If you're considering a new feature for your community platform, start by gathering data. What do your engagement metrics say? What feedback have members given? By focusing on hard data, you make informed decisions that are grounded in reality.

Red Hat: Tapping into Emotions

The Red Hat allows you to explore the emotional aspects of decision-making. It’s about understanding how people feel and using intuition.

Example:

When planning events or new initiatives, consider the emotional responses of your community members. How will they feel about a change? Are there underlying concerns or excitement that you need to address? Emotions drive engagement, and understanding them can help you better serve your community.

Black Hat: Identifying Risks and Challenges

Wearing the Black Hat means being the devil’s advocate. This hat is critical for spotting potential problems and pitfalls before they occur.

Example:

If you're launching a new membership tier, use the Black Hat to identify potential risks. What could go wrong? How might it be received negatively? Anticipating these issues allows you to create mitigation strategies and ensure smoother implementation.

Yellow Hat: Focusing on Positives

The Yellow Hat is all about optimism and looking at the bright side. It encourages you to identify benefits and positive outcomes.

Example:

When proposing a new community project, put on the Yellow Hat to highlight the potential benefits. How will this project enhance member engagement or add value to the community? Positivity can inspire and motivate both your team and your community members.

Green Hat: Unleashing Creativity

The Green Hat represents creativity and innovation. It’s about thinking outside the box and generating new ideas.

Example:

Use the Green Hat during brainstorming sessions. Encourage your team to come up with innovative solutions to existing problems or new ways to engage members. Creativity can lead to breakthroughs that set your community apart.

Blue Hat: Managing the Process

The Blue Hat is about control and organization. It’s the hat that keeps everything on track, ensuring that each thinking style is used effectively.

Example:

In meetings, the Blue Hat helps manage the flow. Start by setting an agenda, defining objectives, and ensuring that the discussion stays focused. The Blue Hat ensures that the thinking process is structured and productive.

As you can see, each hat gives a different perspective. Letting those within the decision making process, focus on a single point-of-view, rather than being distracted by other angles.

Practical Steps

Begin by explaining each hat to your team and provide examples of how they can be used in your community context.

Designate Hat Sessions

During meetings or brainstorming sessions, designate specific times for wearing each hat. This ensures that all perspectives are considered.

Encourage Participation

Make it a habit to use the hats regularly. Encourage team members to switch hats during discussions to see things from different angles.

Document Outcomes

Keep a record of the insights gained from each hat session. This can help in tracking decisions and understanding the rationale behind them.

The Six Thinking Hats is more than just a decision-making tool; it’s a way to foster a culture of holistic thinking and inclusivity within your community. By systematically exploring different perspectives, you can make well-rounded decisions that resonate with your community’s needs and values.

If you’ve got thoughts or questions on this topic, I’d love to hear them.