Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats
When we attempt practical thinking, there are three functional difficulties: Emotions (not think/react) Helplessness (inadequacy) Confusion (juggle too much)
We do too much!
Six colors, six hats Thinking is divided into six different modes.
Emotions & Feelings
Benefits & Positives
Cautious & Careful
Creative Thinking
Information/Facts Questions
Organizing Hat
Why hats? Role playing “Put on your thinking caps” Easy to put on and take off Allows us to switch roles
Six Hats Detaching from ego Getting beyond argument
Four uses of hats in meeting? Put the hat on Take the hat off Switch hats Signal your thinking
Single hat & sequence use Be used singly at point Sequence Black : Yellow (assess) Black : Green (Imp)
Effective use of “thinking hats” can keep: Focus thinking more clearly Lead to more creative thinking Improve communication and thus decision making
No matter how good we become, we should always want to be better.” “Thinking is the ultimate human resource, yet we can never be satisfied with our most important skill. No matter how good we become, we should always want to be better.” Edward DeBono
Six Thinking Hats
Emotions & Feelings
Emotional view Recreations Gut feeling & hunches Legitimizes emotions No need to justify
Benefits & Positives
Positive thinking Yellow sunshine & brightness Reasons why idea will work Supporting reasons
Cautious & Careful
Judges robe Points out risks Problems & Difficulties Logical basis Points out errors in thinking Feasibility
Creative Thinking
New ideas & Possibilities Growth Proposals or suggestions Change the proposal idea
Information/Facts Questions
White Neutral Computer-like
Organizing Hat
Control of thinking process Organizing hat Thinking about thinking Asking right questions What thinking is needed
Think! Before It’s Too Late!