This document discusses the different "thinking hats" or roles that a program director may take on during a project. It describes the white hat as important for establishing goals and scope during startup when there is still ambiguity. The green hat focuses on creative problem solving and challenges. The red hat emphasizes leadership, relationships, and addressing fears. The blue hat is about organization, planning, and establishing processes. The black hat critically examines risks. The yellow hat maintains optimism and continuous improvement. Effective program directors must be able to wear different hats at different stages and regularly challenge assumptions.