What is it Really Like to Run a Small Business?  Six Thinking Hats in Action

We were recently faced with a business situation and used the six thinking hats to make our final decision.

Scenario

A photography client’s scheduled outdoor session was that day and the weather forecast included a decent chance of thunderstorms.  The client would only be in town for a few days so rescheduling options were somewhat limited. 

Our Decision-Making Process

For something like this we like to use the six thinking hats if time permits.  The exercise allows us to view the situation from many angles, consider alternatives, and make a decision in a predefined amount of time.

We had plenty of time so we went forward with the exercise.

Here is a summary of the steps that we went through to ultimately make a decision (in about 15 minutes).

Blue Hat

We spent about 1 minute deciding who would be the authoritative voice for the session.  This role would present an overview of what we were considering, which “hats” would be utilized and the durations for each hat.

Takeaways

• Authoritative voice - me
• Hats (after blue) - White, Red, Yellow, Black, Green, Red, Blue
• Duarations - No hard numbers set.  Loosely 1 min max per person per hat

White Hat

One at a time, we each presented information from our perspective.  

This included:

• Session details - date, time, location, client, etc.
• Weather forecast
• Logical conclusions - i.e. if the likelihood of thunderstorms is X percent then the likelihood of there not being storms is 100 - X percent

Takeaways

• We were able to verify that we were on the same page with the situation before moving forward

Red Hat

This one generally goes quickly.  

We both gave our “gut feeling” about the situation.

Takeaways

• One of us felt like we should do it
• One of us felt like we should not do it

Yellow Hat

Disregarding the weather, we each went through the benefits of moving forward with the session.

Takeaways

• We were mostly on the same page
  • I.e. complete the work, not causing the client to have to clear out another day, etc.

Black Hat

Disregarding the positives, we each considered the risks and reasons why we would not move forward.

Takeaways

• Again, we were mostly on the same page here
  • I.e., dangers to the client and us if there is inclement weather, too much wind causing the final images to be negatively affected, etc.

Green Hat

We discussed our alternatives.  We kept it fairly short.  Green hat sessions can go on for a while.

Takeaways

• We ended up with more options than either of us realized
• Clearing everything else out and focusing on what else we could do allowed both of us to come up with “out of left field” options that would actually work

Red Hat

Another quick session.  

This was a gut check after all of the new information was on the table.

Takeaways

• We both felt that there were enough alternatives and that the risk of this session was not worth it.

Blue Hat

We wrapped up the session by saying the final decision to make sure that we were on the same page.

We also looked at the six hats process to evaluate how it worked for us and how to change it next time.

Takeaway

• Decision made