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Change approaches & management tools SeCtion tWo
Strengths and limitations
The principal strength of the approach is its structuring of thought process is in group situations. In usual practice Creative Thinking proposals will be considered from each of the perspectives identified each at the same time; so that while participant X considers the potential of a situation (yellow), participant Y considers the potential problems (black). This can prove to be destructive, especially where there are status distinctions between participants and/or ego clashes. This is largely avoided under the ‘hats’ method, in which everyone present considers the issue from the same perspective at the same time, and remain focused on the task. However, conflict may result if the process is poorly facilitated – participants may feel ‘railroaded’ if there is not time to consider the problem from all of the perspectives during the course of the meeting.
In relation to social care change, the 6 Hats exercise can help to free up stakeholders from their usual perspectives and enable them to jointly develop more innovative responses.
Further reading
1. De Bono E (1985) Six Thinking Hats, London: Little Brown and Company.
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