Why the Jester Hat Might Be the Most Important Thinking Hat

Sometimes when we are leading strategic planning sessions and we get stuck in ruts of conventional thinking, we sometime assign perspectives to move people out of their habits of mind. It’s an adaptation of Edward de Bono's Thinking Hats. But recently I was rereading Malcolm Gladwell's Talking with Strangers and I realized we should add a thinking hat….the Jester Hat.

As Gladwell explains, The Holy Fool, fearless in challenging the status quo, is a catalyst for radical thinking. This archetype could be indispensable in fields entrenched in traditionalism like government, which are pretty risk-averse. The Jester Hat symbolizes this shift, empowering us to question deeply ingrained beliefs and explore daring solutions.

Adopting the Jester Hat could push team members to shed their reluctance, proposing bold, innovative ideas. Not just for brainstorming in the moment, but cultivating a cultural evolution towards risk-taking and creativity.

So, try it. Embrace the notion of the Holy Fool and assign folks the responsibility of being bold. It’s could be just what you need to cut through conformity, spark creativity, and unlock pioneering ideas. The future might just belong to those bold enough to wear the Jester Hat.