Borrowing Hats - Thrivable

Thrivability: A Collaborative Sketch

a collection of over 60 essays and images crafting a topography for thriving

Hats. When you see a hat, instantly you probably associate it with a profession or a situation. And, a hat can be taken off or put on, even if it is just for fun. For fun, let's try on some hats and see what happens. Think of a particular hat, any one will do. What does the world look like to someone wearing that hat? How does it feel? Taste? Smell? Sound? Seem too abstract? Pick someone and put on their hat. Try out their perspective.

How about a baker's hat? Put on the baker's hat and step into the bakery. Smell the fresh yeast breads and sweets? Taste the icing. Hear the sound of a mixer, a timer going off, the oven door opening. Completely immerse yourself in the experience of being a baker.

There are many uses for this hat trick. First, when in conflict with someone, try on their hat. It can even help to step into their physical location to see what they see. Try to see the situation from their point of view. What are they experiencing? Think through the senses. What are they hearing? What do they see? Don't try to guess what they think, just experience the sensations they feel. Next, look at it from an observer's point of view. Even if there is no observer in the real situation, pretend to be an angel watching or a fly on the wall. From this neutral position, what do you see and hear? Then consider, what is most important to the other person about the conflict? Do they understand what is most important to you?

Second, when creating opportunities for your causes, you can use hats to see multiple perspectives on the situation. If helping young people, what are they experiencing? Experience it with them as if you are them. If it is hard with a hat, try wearing their shoes. Helping African natives? What is it like to see the world from their view? What does it sound like? Try not only to put on their hat, but try on the hats of all the players involved. Each person in the cause sees part of the picture, by stepping into their position and trying on their hat you can get a sense of the larger picture. From that perspective you can reach unique and wonderful insights. By trying on hats, you can see where someone is coming from, what information they can gather, and what you might be able to do to move the situation in your desired direction.