Black Hat Thinking

Introducing the Black Hat

Black Hat thinking feels comfortable

We normally focus on arguments & criticismWe normally focus on ARGUMENTS & CRITICISM

The Black Hat is always logical, never emotional

It is also called the „logical negative“

Black hat thinking must be truthful...

...but it does not have to be fair!

The purpose of Black Hat thinking is to show why something will not work.

Black Hat thinking is valuable.

You can

ENJOYbeing

negative!

But you must know when to stop!

The ROLE of a devil's advocate.

Fear? Black Hat thinking is an important part of the the thinking process.

Black Hat reasons must stand by themselves...

...and must be

usable

by

anyone.

...the figures I know are different from the ones you gave.

... that is not the only explanation,but just one explanation.

...there does not need to be a logical connection betweenthose points.

Good Black Hat thinking requires...

IMAGINATION

...to generate alternatives and possibilities

It is true that if we increase prices,

sales will fall

But if we justify it as a

„premium product“

We might get

a different

type of

customer

...and our fall

in sales

may be offset

by increased

revenue.

Black Hats are about alternative facts

If we increase speeding fines...

...people will drive more slowlyon Autobahns in Germany

?????

Black Hats are about LIKELIHOODS

Are the facts CORRECT?

Are the facts RELEVANT?

Showing wrong facts is most common Black Hat thinking

Black Hat thinking

is to show

weaknesses

in facts,

to avoid

making potential

mistakes.

There are no emotions

Experience is PERSONAL

Experience is VALUABLE

Experience itself is not the absolute truth!

Past lessons may not work for tomorrow

Black Hatthinking balances the Yellow Hat

How to handle Black Hat thinking

Remember: Map Making not Arguments

Acknowledge the negative thoughts

Acknowledge, show a parallel situationmaking the first thought unlikely

Acknowledge the danger, put forwardan alternative proposal

Do some Black Hat thinking on the person's Black Hat thinking

Offer an alternative view and place it alongside for later use

Too many Black Hats?

Showing that

facts work

takes

time

and

patience