‘ the 6 thinking styles’ by Dr. Edward de Bono (Ch. 8, the team handbook, p 6-7) Pooja Kishore Emily Team: Fo’Sho!

 The use of ‘six styles of thinking’ / ‘six thinking hats’ help teams stay focused on creative problem solving by avoiding negativity and group arguments.  It involves participants in a type of mental role play that increases cognitive flexibility and prevents "groupthink”.

The ‘hats’ defined… Calls for caution and critical judgment. Helps teams avoid groupthink and proposing unrealistic solutions. Should be used *after* the team has generated lots of ideas to allow creative thought. Gives the opportunity to present feelings or intuitions about the subject without needing to explaining or justify them. Airs feelings and conflict without fear, uses right-brain thinking. Requires team members to consider only the data and information at hand. No proposals, arguments, opinions, etc.

Definitions continued… Used for process control to help teams evaluate the thinking style and determine if it is appropriate. Allows members to ask for summaries to help progress if they get off track. Makes time and space available for creative thinking. Team is encouraged to use divergent thinking and explore alternative ideas and options when it is being used. Encourages optimism and a positive view of things when in use. Teams look a the logical benefits of the proposal. (Every green hat deserves some ‘Yellow Hat’ attention.

How to use the 6 thinking styles technique: (Can be used during and between meetings as follows)  A thinker pus on or takes off one of the hats  The meeting facilitator or team leader asks a thinker to put on or take off one of the hats  All thinkers put on one hat for a period of time  Each thinker is assigned a different hat to wear for a period of time  All thinkers wear hats they don’t normally wear