Summary

The provided text explains the concept of Black Hat thinking from Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats method, emphasizing its role in critical evaluation and risk assessment in decision-making processes.

Abstract

The content delves into the Black Hat thinking, which is a part of the Six Thinking Hats framework developed by Edward de Bono. This approach is designed to foster critical judgment and caution by identifying potential risks, flaws, and downsides in ideas and plans. The Black Hat serves as a counterbalance to the more optimistic Yellow Hat, ensuring that decisions are not only based on benefits but also on logical scrutiny. It is particularly valuable for combating confirmation bias, allowing individuals to use more of their brain by separating critical thinking from creative or optimistic thinking. The text also outlines the main benefits of the Black Hat, its distinct roles in the design and assessment stages of a project, and the potential pitfalls of its overuse. It concludes with practical questions to employ during Black Hat thinking sessions and encourages readers to apply the concept to their own decision-making.

Opinions

The Black Hat is seen as a necessary tool to prevent hasty or harmful decisions by considering the potential dangers and negative outcomes.
It is acknowledged that the Black Hat aligns with our natural inclination to be cautious and to avoid potential threats, which has been crucial for human survival.
The text suggests that the Black Hat is most effective when used deliberately and at appropriate times, to avoid constant negativity or criticism that could stifle creativity and open-mindedness.
The author posits that the Six Thinking Hats method, particularly the Black Hat, can help individuals become more aware of their cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias.
The text implies that the Black Hat is not about personal likes or dislikes but rather about providing logical reasons for concerns regarding ideas or plans.
The use of the Black Hat in the design stage is considered crucial for identifying and addressing flaws early on, while in the assessment stage, it is more about acknowledging weaknesses without letting them overshadow the benefits.
The author encourages readers to practice Black Hat thinking by considering its application in future decisions and to reflect on its effectiveness as part of the Six Thinking Hats framework.

Black Hat Explained: The Six Thinking Hats [Book Summary 4/7]

This is the 4th part of the book summary series on the Six Thinking Hats.

The Black Hat is the caution hat. It keeps us from doing things that are illegal, immoral, unprofitable, polluting and so on.

The Black Hat is quite natural for us, as we’ve been using it for millennia to prevent us from eating the wrong berries or trusting the wrong strangers. One wrong decision leads your genetic lineage to die right there.

The Black Hat is also the opposite of the Yellow Hat, where we find benefits of ideas and plans.

“I can see how this idea is very attractive and we have considered all the benefits. Now let’s have some black hat thinking on potential dangers and downsides.”

“We both like this house very much. That is strong red hat thinking. Let’s have some black thinking for a moment.”

Main Benefits of the Black Hat

In a planned sequence, it’s invaluable to have a set time for the Black Hat.

Fight your own confirmation bias. Allows everyone, including the person who proposed an idea, to be critical and find potential pitfalls.
Use more of your brain. People who are habitually cautious can excel at fault-finding in a formal setting, thus allowing them to be creative or optimistic at other times. Many of those people welcome the use of the Six Thinking Hats and have been surprised by how creative they can be by wearing the Green Hat for example.

What is the Black Hat for?

Logical fault & danger finding

The Black Hat is always logical. Unlike with the Red Hat, we do have to give good reasons for our concerns.

“I don’t like the idea of lowering the prices.

That is Red Hat Thinking. Please give me your Black Hat Thinking. We need your logical reasons.

Fine. In our past experience — which I can show you with sales figures — lowering prices has not resulted in enough additional sales to offset the reduction in profit margin. Also our competitors have typically lowered their prices to match the competition.”

Pretend it is the future and look back on why a plan has failed

An excellent way to find risks and flaws in a plan is the Murphy Jitsu method I learned in a CFAR workshop!

It allows us to leverage our “Inner Simulator / System 1” to find flaws in plans. We play a movie in our head of the plan and can ‘sense’ where things go wrong.

“Let’s wear our Black Hats and pretend it’s three months from now. If we missed our sales numbers, what were the likely reasons?”

Design Stage vs. Assessment Stage

The Black Hat functions quite differently if we are in the design stage or assessment stage of an idea or project.

Suppose we have a project that is 95% excellent and has 5% flaws.

Most of us have a tendency to focus on the 5% flaws.

In the design stage, it’s totally legitimate to point out the flaws and spend significant time to correct for them, say using the Green Hat.

In the assessment stage however, we should acknowledge the 5% flaws but mostly focus on the 95% benefits.

“We have found good reasons to support this idea. Now let’s have some strong black hat thinking to find weaknesses so we can do something about them at the design stage.”

Overuse

The most important thing about the black hat is that you wear it consciously.

So that when it is not worn, you are keeping an open mind and not criticizing others ideas yet.

We have natural tendency to be critical of others’ ideas. We should use this very useful skill while wearing the Black Hat. Then we can be more open and creative with ideas of others with the other Hats.

Questions to ask with the Black Hat

Check against white hat: Does it fit the data?
Does it fit our values and ethics?
Is it profitable?
Is it legal?
Can we afford it?
Will clients like this?

Your Turn

Training

When can you apply the Black Hat next?
What difficult decision do you have to make soon? Can you lay out what you see under the Black Hat?
What is your Black Hat thinking about the Six Thinking Hats?

Next Steps

Read about Yellow Hat!

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Overview of the Six Thinking Hats

Flavio Rump is an entrepreneur and investor. He shares decision-making models from the world’s best decision makers. You can read his articles, watch his YouTube Videos or join his free newsletter to learn how to make better decisions.