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# Finding Hidden Ideas By Using Five Hats
- URL: https://www.philmckinney.com/finding-hidden-ideas-by-using-five-hats/
- Published: 2007-07-29T14:20:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-01T14:10:33.000Z
- Author: Phil McKinney
- Tags: Past Shows, Studio Sessions, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-03-26 05:08

Download [KI\_20070729.mp3](http://media.libsyn.com/media/philmckinney/KI%5F20070729.mp3?ref=philmckinney.com)

![iStock_000006973283Large-300x225](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/b8/5bb8ac0c-fd54-4eb9-a76b-b472ce9fa849/content/images/killerinnovations-com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/istock_000006973283large-300x225.jpg)

**Segment 1: Five Hats Method To Finding Hidden Ideas**

- Get out of the rut of how you look/evaluate/organize your ideas
- Use the “Five Hats” approach  
  - Alphabetical
  - Time
  - Location
  - Continuum
  - Category
- Look for …  
  - Non-obvious patterns
  - Strange combinations of ideas appearing next to each other

**Segment 2: Killer Question Of The Week**

“What are the assumptions under which my industry operates?”

1. Define the assumptions
2. Apply the Five Hats
3. Come up with 5 new ideas for each of the Five Hats

**Segment 3: Closing Thought**

*“Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything”* George Lois