Processes for ABB Projects

24-Jun-2004

From Hats to Shoes!(Six Thinking Hats to

Six Action Shoes )

Pooja Rajanikant

Just Do it.

Agenda

What's this all about? A small revisit to Six Thinking Hats Six Action Shoes Navy Formal Grey Sneakers Brown Brogues Orange Gumboots Pink Slippers Purple Riding Boots Pairs Q & A Exercise

What's this all about?

Identifying the type of situation and respond accordingly

Shoes imply action

Thinking and Planning is only one side of things.The other side is Action

Sequel to Six Thinking Hats

A small revisit to Six Thinking Hats

Objective look at data, collection of information

Hunches,Feelings,Intuitions

Logical negative,caution,”what can go wrong”

Logical positive,benefits,feasibility

New ideas,creative and innovative approach

Facilitation,Thinking Process,”MOM-Vote of Thanks”

Six Action Shoes

Navy Formal – Routines,Procedural approach Grey Sneakers – Investigation,Exploration Brown Brogues – Practicality,Sensible Orange Gumboots – Danger,Emergency,Warning Pink Slippers – Warmth,Care,Sensitive Purple Boots– Official role, Authority,Leadership,

Navy Formal

Freedom from ambiguity-go by routine

Adhering to formality and procedure

Step by step approach

Acknowledge that it is the best action plan of the moment

It’s the crystallization of the best way of doing something-its evolving every time you use

Routine

Navy Formal-Routine building guidelines

Should apply to a specific situation and do away with doubt and confusion

Application should be straightforward and stepwise

Flexible to cope with special circumstances

Easy to learn and remember

Grey Sneakers

Sneaking around quietly, listening and exploring

Casual and relaxed : no desire to be noticed or obvious..just collect information

Investigate when you are clueless

To build a case

Helps making a choice

For deciding the future

To know what you don’t know!

Seek Information

Grey Sneakers-Characteristics

Information may suggest ideas,trigger thinking

Neat and defined data,unbiased in nature but at times purporting the hunch

Launch pad for action

Persistence,full concentration

Brown Brogues

Nothing exotic about it : Basic and earthy

Practical,Simple, Effective

Flexibility : Outside established routine

Combination of good values,sense and principles

Clear sense of objectives and priorities which determines action

Practical Usage

Brown Brogues-“How to”

Follows simple analysis,understanding,appreciation

How is it likely to develop?

What are the needs?

Doable?

“Don’t try to be clever.Prefer to be practical”

Orange Gumboots

If its emergency-Priorities change, new set of rules apply

Danger to human life

Events happen quickly

Unstable and unpredictable situation

Quick action

Focus on danger and ways of reducing

Fire fighting (In its original sense!)

Orange Gumboots-Guidelines for action

Assess the situation accurately and strategize

Potential development

Assess existing and potential danger to people:involved and bystanders

Communication between parties involved

Change if plans are not working, avoid over reacting.Always good to have backup

Never panic, courage is required all the time

Pink Slippers

Human feelings, compassion, care, tender, loving

Medicine and nursing

Its not just about “feeling”, its about doing something about it

Motivating employees is a key element and so is HR department “Putting people first”

It’s a modifier : adds humane and caring manner to whatever is being done

Epitome of Love and Caring

Pink Slippers-Levels of caring

Intention : Desire

Empathy,Sympathy,Listening

Gesture : Visible actions

Actual help and care

Purple Riding Boots

Pomp and position,indicates authority

Consultation with doctor, lawyer because of their expertise in that area

Exercise your power, don’t be apologetic

Do what’s expected

Police aur Bhai!!

Purple Riding Boots-Carrying Out

Clearly signaled and consistent

Protocol

Civilized : No role takes a person above law

Firm,Neutral,Fair

Make it clear that you are acting in your capacity.

PairsNavy Grey Brown Orange Pink Purple

Navy Formal inquiries

Flexible Routine

Emergency pre-decided reaction

Routine handled gently

Official procedures to be carried out

Grey Investigate using checklists

Find out based on ad hoc situation

Spying, undercover assignments

Ask with caution and care

Official inquiries

Brown Practical action that uses routine

Practical action to get information to decide on next step

Practical action in emergency situations

Do it with a soft touch

Official practical action

Orange

Standard procedures in emergency

Collect expert opinion during emergency

Moment to moment sensible actions

Dealing with human suffering in calamities

Deciding who is inn charge in emergency situations

Pink Dealing with delicate situations using a routine way

Listening and noting revelations, confessions

Hand the practical news tenderly

People first Use official channels to help people

Purple Decorum,

drills

Use Official statistics

Practical action as an authority

Leadership in crisis,giving orders

Modifying impersonal behavior

Q & A

EXERCISE-PAIRS

Navy Grey Brown Orange Pink Purple

Navy

Grey

Brown

Orange

Pink

Purple

1. System crashes prior to the testing phase2. Bug fixing3. Working as a News Reporter4. Interviewing someone for a job5. Letting younger one have his/her way6. Befriending a new joinee7. Performing surgery8. Appraisal of your team9. Reviewing code/documents10. On a construction site, eating fruits as meals

EXERCISE-IDENTIFY

References

Six Action Shoes by Edward De Bono http://www.edwdebono.com/ http://www.sixhats.com/