de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats

Six Thinking Hats® is a powerful, yet simple tool to drive creativity and innovation. It separates thinking into six roles, each of which has is represented by a different coloured hat.

The premise is that the brain thinks in a number of distinct ways which can be deliberately challenged, and hence planned for use in a structured way allowing one to develop tactics for thinking about particular issues. de Bono identifies six distinct directions in which the brain can be challenged. In each of these directions the brain will identify and bring into conscious thought certain aspects of issues being considered (e.g. gut instinct, pessimistic judgement, neutral facts). None of these directions are completely natural ways of thinking, but rather how some of us already represent the results of our thinking.

Since the hats do not represent natural modes of thinking, each hat must be used for a limited time only.

White Hat

The White Hat calls for information; ‘The facts, just the facts.’

Green Hat

The Green Hat is creativity, new ideas, the possibilities and alternatives.

Yellow Hat

The Yellow Hat is brightness and optimism. You explore the positives and seek benefits.

Black Hat

The Black Hat is judgment - the devil's advocate spotting the difficulties.

Red Hat

The Red Hat signifies feelings, hunches and intuition. You express emotions and feelings and share fears, likes, dislikes, loves, and hates.

Blue Hat

The Blue Hat manages the process the control mechanism that ensures the Hats guidelines are used effectively.

We use it in a variety of training such as team building, problem solving and creativity.

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