The constant challenge to the events industry is one of adding value. Other than systems and impeccable project and event management, the big opportunity to add value is creativity.
Just look at the offices and salaries of staff from the ad agencies compared to event agencies. Creativity pays!
And the good news is you don’t have to be born creative to play a valid role. Creativity can be acquired. Ok, it’s tougher if it doesn’t come naturally, but it’s possible. Some can pick up a guitar and play by ear. Others need lessons in technique, have a thirst for theory and rely on feedback. With enough effort, the result is still an accomplished guitarist…though perhaps with less flair!
One of the most popular techniques is that of the Six Thinking Hats, developed by Edward de Bono. Quick synopsis on Dr de Bono:
Born in Malta, he was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, holds an M.A. in psychology and physiology from Oxford, a D. Phil in Medicine, a Ph.D. from Cambridge, a D. Des (Doctor of Design) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; an LL.D. from Dundee.
He’s regarded by many as the leading authority in the field of creative thinking, innovation and the direct teaching of thinking as a skill. He’s the originator of the concept - and formal tools - of Lateral Thinking, which is now a part of language enjoying an entry in the Oxford Dictionary.
The 6 Thinking Hats technique has the following principles at its heart:
Works on the understanding that brain chemistry changes in each mode of thinking
Breaks down the creative thinking process
Moves from typical Western behaviour of ‘argument’ to one of collaboration
Removes persistent negativity
Involves everyone in a ‘game’
Engages all by guiding behaviour rather than allocating roles
Allows quicker decisions through more disciplined meetings
Takes the ego out of decisions - generates the right idea not MY idea!
The 6 Hats:
Red Hat
What do you feel about the suggestion?
What are your gut reactions?
What intuitions do you have?
Don’t think too long or too hard.
White Hat
The information seeking hat.
What are the facts?
What information is available? What is relevant?
When wearing the white hat we are neutral in our thinking.
Yellow Hat
The sunshine hat.
It is positive and constructive.
It is about effectiveness and getting a job done.
What are the benefits, the advantages?
Black Hat
The caution hat.
In black hat the thinker points out errors or pit-falls.
What are the risks or dangers involved?
Identifies difficulties and problems.
Green Hat
This is the creative mode of thinking.
Green represents growth and movement.
In green hat we look to new ideas and solutions.
Lateral thinking wears a green hat.
Blue Hat
The control hat, organising thinking itself.
Sets the focus, calls for the use of other hats.
Monitors and reflects on the thinking processes used.
Blue is for planning.
De Bono primarily views the 6 Hats method as a “framework process that applies to thinking in general within an organisation”. However, it also works effectively as a creative procedure. A sequence we often use is as follows:
Step 1
BLUE - What are we thinking about? Set agenda
WHITE - Gather the facts – what information do we have?
GREEN - Generate lots of ideas around the issue - brainstorm
RED - Wander and vote – based on gut instinct which idea to you like the best? You have 2 votes.
Step 2, Take the top 2 or 3 ideas and develop them further:
YELLOW - What’s really good about each idea?
BLACK - What still concerns us about each idea?
GREEN - What could we do to overcome these concerns?
BLUE - Vote – to select the best idea. Develop an Action Plan to implement it!
For the words of the man himself in print
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Six-Thinking-Hats-Edward-Bono/dp/0140296662
Happy creative thinking!
