"The impact of thinking hats on enhancing the effectiveness of strategic planning"

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the impact of applying the Six Thinking Hats on the effectiveness of strategic planning, which is reflected in the efficiency of decision-making, the reliability of determining the bank's objectives, and the mastery of the implementation and evaluation processes in a more efficient and distinctive manner, by posing questionnaire questions to those specialized in planning processes. The problem of the study was embodied in knowing the relationship between these strategies and strategic planning and explaining the impact between them for a sample of private banks in the Middle Euphrates. The result was that following a balanced approach that includes the white, yellow, black, green, and blue hats enhances the strategic planning of banks, while relying on the red hat (emotional thinking) may not contribute positively and directly. The researcher recommended adopting structured thinking patterns using the "Thinking Hats in Banks" model, as it supports comprehensive discussions that lead to parallel creative thinking, as well as focusing on giving priority to the hats to follow their methods, from neutral thinking, optimistic thinking, critical thinking, and creative thinking, and reducing emotional bias represented by the red hat (emotional) when making strategic decisions, as it may hinder excessive emotional involvement.