Introducing the Black Hat

Black Hat thinking feels comfortable

We We normally focus ARGUMENTS & CRITICISM
normally focus on 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
ENJOY
being
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 between
those 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 slowly
on 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 Hat
thinking
balances
the
Yellow Hat

How to handle Black Hat thinking

Remember: Map Making not Arguments

Acknowledge the negative thoughts

Acknowledge, show a parallel situation
making the first thought unlikely

Acknowledge the danger, put forward
an 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