This is an assignment for the Crash Course on Creativity where we try on different "brainstorming hats" and see how they suit us -- or not. This was another very interesting project in a class that is filled with them. I learned a lot about how to harness and direct creative brainstorming through this exercise.

1. What Color is My Hat?
Betsy Bayha
Assignment 6 -- Creative Teams
Crash Course on Creativity

2. It’s interesting to
consider these hats…
People tell me that I am
“passionate” and
“creative.”
I work with engineers
and software developers,
so sometimes that label
of “creative” can sound
like criticism coming from
their perspective of logic
and analysis.

3. I don’t think that just one of these hats really hits the
mark for where I usually am. It would have to be a
combination of three…
I am very good at I am not afraid to express Optimism keeps me open
generating ideas. Not so my feelings. I like to stay and receptive. When I look
great at thinking through open and be present. This on the bright side I really
every last detail. I is also an important part of can see more possibilities.
dreamed up a game for an being observant. I don’t People warm up to me
earlier assignment, but it multi-task which makes it because I’m optimistic. It is
had no rules! easier to stay present. a powerful attitude.

4. When we did our
group brainstorm
we were in the
Google Hangout
and we put on lots
of silly hats using
their special effects
tool…
But I was having
technical problems,
so I went and
grabbed a hat from
the closet…

5. Then we tried the hats for
this assignment. The Black
Hat of Judgment was a
tough one. Many of our
ideas could not make it past
this hat.

6. In truth, I need all of these hats to
execute any project. But what this
exercise has taught me is how to
call on these attributes more
actively at specific times in the
brainstorming process. This circle
is the cycle I use to to organize
brainstorming (blue) generate
ideas (red, yellow, green) critically
consider them (black) and gather
the information I need (white).