The Six Thinking Hats®

The Six Thinking Hats® method was founded and designed by Edward de Bono in 1985 as a simple and effective technique to help you:

- Evaluate a potential change from several perspectives

- Facilitate effective meetings

- Run a brainstorming session

- Solve a problem

- Make a decision

To make improvements in any field in life or on a personal level, you often have to change the way things are done. This means thinking up, considering and testing new ideas. The Six Thinking Hats® is a powerful tool based on the principle of parallel thinking and is considered a very effective tool to help you achieve that.

Most of us tend to look at the world through a single fixed lens. This means that if someone shares our perspective, we agree and when they do not, we disagree. So much time and energy are wasted when people cannot agree about the way forward, usually, this occurs because they are coming from different perspectives.

In reality, we are all capable of seeing multiple perspectives. It is as easy for us as putting on one hat and taking off another, wherein in this case each hat represents a different perspective.

Should we want to achieve the ideal outcome in decision-making, problem-solving or even when running a team meeting, we need to look at the topic of discussion from different perspectives or in other words - use the different hats.

Six Thinking Hats® is a powerful decision-making tool and method for both group discussions and individual thinking. It is useful during or after the “brain dumping” of ideas as it helps to extend your understanding of an idea. Six Thinking Hats® has been specifically designed so that everyone thinks parallel using only one hat at a time while putting aside all the other hats “Perspectives”.

Below is a brief description of each of the Six Thinking Hats:

WHITE HAT

FACTS: the white hat is all about information. It is considered as a neutral hat that offers an objective view of data. Often used near the beginning of the meeting or thinking process to establish relevant facts and information about the topic of discussion. During wearing the white hat, we focus on available information, objective facts, figures and data.

The metaphorical role of the white hat is playing “The Detective”. White hat Used to search for clues, facts and evidence. However, the key thing about white hat at this step is that it must avoid making conclusions or judgement about the information collected.

Here are some of the questions that could help you while wearing the white hat; what are the facts? What information do we need? Where are we going to get this information?

BLUE HAT

PROCESS: the blue hat is all about thinking, it is also known as the control hat. It is often used for managing the thinking process. In the beginning, the blue hat is used to set the objectives, process and agenda, control the sequence, and ensure the guidelines are followed. You can also return to it later on for summarising and drawing conclusions, decisions and planning actions.

The metaphorical role of the blue hat is “The Movie Director”. In precisely the same way, it is the manager that manages the thinking process - allowing better synergy between the thought’s patterns and habits of the other thinking hats. However, the blue hat must clearly describe the process and steps of solving the issue and set a clear plan and activities.

Here are some of the questions that could help you while wearing the blue hat; what is the problem? What are the goal and desired outcomes? What actions do I/we need to take? What is the most effective method to move forward? What are we starting with?

RED HAT

FEELINGS: the red hat is about intuitive reactions or expression of feelings (without justification). It can be used to understand people’s gut feeling about an idea, or when you like the team to express their emotions freely towards an issue e.g. fear, disappointment, excitement, enthusiasm. This is as Feeling plays an important role in influencing thinking and decision-making.

The metaphorical role of the red hat is “The Heart”. The heart is an intuitive organ that is known for sensing changes in emotions and feelings in different circumstances. However, the red hat must avoid rationalising or trying to justify its feelings. You should use no logic with the red hat - it must primarily follow its gut instinct. The red hat is often used to uncover hidden weaknesses in ideas, personal weaknesses or gaps in skill and knowledge.

Here are some of the questions that could help you while wearing the red hat; how do I/you feel about this choice? What is my/your gut feeling tell you about this?

GREEN HAT

CREATIVITY: the green hat is for unconventional or creating thinking and generating new ideas, identifying alternatives, possibilities and new concepts. You put on the green hat when you are looking into generating fresh ideas and new directions. The primary role of the green hat would be to expand the possibilities of reality in surprising and unexpected ways beyond the box-like thinking methods. To utilise it effectively and obtain the maximum benefit; you can use other tools like brainstorming, creative thinking and lateral thinking while using the green hat.

This hat can be intimidating, as many people tell themselves that they are not creative. Remember, creativity is like a muscle; need to be developed and strengthened with practice.  However, the green hat must do this free from judgment and self-criticism.

Here are some of the questions that could help you while wearing the green hat; what are the alternative possibilities? Can we do this differently? How can we think outside the box about this?

YELLOW HAT

BENEFITS: the yellow hat is for a positive rationale view of things. It looks for the benefits and values. The shining sun of the yellow hat helps counterbalance the judgemental thinking of the black hat. It is used to look at the positive aspects and potential benefits of a situation or idea.

The metaphorical role of the yellow hat is “The Sun”. It is bright, powerful and brings light and life to everything it shines on. It is the same way that brings a positive and radiant energy that breathes life into every idea.

Here are some of the questions that could help you while wearing the yellow hat; what positive outcomes could result from this action or idea? What could be the long-term benefits of this?

BLACK HAT

CAUTIONS: the cautious black hat relates to dangers, difficulties, weakens and potential problems. It plays the “devil’s advocate” role, which helps decrease the chances of making a poor decision. The black hat primary role is critical judgment and spotting risks where things might go wrong. It quickly pinpoints the gaps, dangers, flaws and limitations of the proposed plan.

Here are some of the questions that could help you while wearing the black hat; what actions likely to go wrong? What is the fatal flaw in this idea? What are the potential risks and their consequences?

Now that you have a solid understanding of The Six Thinking Hats®, and how these hats work together to help you formulate an effective solution and new ideas. After all thinking hats had their chance to have their say, the blue hat continues to transition between the hats in a logical order. The blue hat will pass through every hat to ask for its final view of the outcome made or a solution found. The blue hat always seeking to obtain a global perspective and understanding of the issue.