Friday 7 March 2008

(De) Bono's Thinking Hat?

After writing my Blog last night, and also after looking back at some pictures of our Bono at Hanover Quay recently, I noticed that he has been wearing a green hat a lot lately. Of course he has worn many hats over the years, but this one seems to be his favourite right now, while he is recording the album. It got me thinking about a theory of Edward do Bono's that I read about a few years ago. De Bono is famous for his lateral thinking, and has this to say about the wearing of different colour hats. Read into it what you will. I'm just quoting it here for fun.


The White Hat calls for information known or needed. "The facts, just the facts."

The Yellow Hat symbolises brightness and optimism. Under this hat you explore the positives and probe for value and benefit.

The Black Hat is judgment - the devil's advocate or why something may not work. Spot the difficulties and dangers; where things might go wrong. Probably the most powerful and useful of the Hats but a problem if over-used.

The Red Hat signifies feelings, hunches and intuition. When using this hat you can express emotions and feelings and share fears, likes, dislikes, loves, and hates.

The Green Hat focuses on creativity; the possibilities,alternatives, and new ideas. It's an opportunity to express new concepts and new perceptions.

The Blue Hat is used to manage the thinking process. It's the control mechanism that ensures the Six Thinking Hats® guidelines are observed
.

Since Bono seems to be wearing a green hat a lot during the creative process of the new album, maybe he thinks there is something in it. Here is more about the "Green Hat".

Green Hat Think of vegetation and rich growth

The green hat is for creative thinking.
The green hat is for new ideas.
The green hat is for additional alternatives.
The green hat is for putting forward possibilities and hypotheses.
The green hat covers provocation and movement.
The green hat requests creative effort.
We need some new ideas here.
Are there any additional alternatives?
Could we do this a different way?
Could there be another explanation?

The green hat makes it possible to ask directly for a creative effort. The green hat makes time and space available for creative thinking. Even if no creative ideas are forthcoming, the green hat asks for the creative effort.



Mmmm... interesting.

1 comment:

Sue Fell said...

Initially I though ahh psycho-babble, but you know Bono often HAS worn a green hat when at HQ! I can personally remember a few occasions.... who knows, maybe it does get his creative juices flowing! Let's hope they are working well.