SIX THINKING HATS

Anthea Carter-SavigearApril 2011

Dr Edward de Bono

• Dr de Bono is one of the few people in history to have had a major impact on the way we think

• He is the Creator of what is now known as Lateral and Parallel Thinking

• Parallel Thinking is when everyone is on the same page

• A simple and practical way of carrying out “Parallel Thinking” is the Six Thinking Hats Approach

• Our thinking changes according to the colour of the hats and to the given instructions

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What is the Six Thinking Hats Approach?

• Six Thinking Hats Approach is defined as a Thinking process where focus is split in specific directions

• A method for doing one sort of thinking at a time

• It promotes and separates thought processes into six distinct thinking modes

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Thinking Hats and Coaching

• Coaching is not about making a case for one position but looking at all the angles

• It’s an Holistic way of coaching

• Can be used with an individual to encourage “different perspective” thinking

• Overall, the Six Hats Approach helps to reduce adversarial thinking and encourages clearer, more effective thinking and idea development

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Rules

• Only one hat at a time = Focus Thinking

• “Switching” hat= Redirect Thinking

• The colour of each hat = Related to its function

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How it Works?

• “Put on” and “take off” a hat

– The colour gives direction“Let’s have some black hat Thinking…”

– Not description or categories of peopleNot: “He’s a black hat thinker.”

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White Hat Thinking

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Objective Facts

• Neutral and objective• Disciplined and directional• Factual• How will I get the information I need?

Questions to ask in coaching:‘What do you know?’‘What don’t you know?’‘What does this tell you?’‘Where are the gaps?’

Imagine a white piece of paper where you write all of the facts for …

Red Hat Thinking

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Feelings and Emotion:

• “This is how I feel about the matter.”• Subjective• It is hunches, intuitions, impressions• No justifications, reasons or bias• Red hat legitimizes emotions and feelings as an important part of thinking

Questions to ask in coaching:‘How do you feel about?’

Imagine a Red heart for feelings and passion.

Think of how you feel about …

Yellow Hat Thinking

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Positive, Hopeful and Speculative:

• Positive and constructive• Positive thinking, optimistic • Opportunity covers a positive spectrum from logical to practical• Dreams, visions and hopes• Probes and explores for values and benefits• Best case scenario

Questions to ask in coaching:‘What are the benefits of…? What value dies this add?’

Imagine a yellow sun representing benefits of a sunny day!

Think if the benefits of…

Black Hat Thinking

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Cautious and Careful:

• Separates logic from emotion• Specifically concerned with negative assessment• Points out what is wrong, incorrect and in error• Logical negative –why it won’t work?• Critical judgement, pessimistic view• Focus on errors, past evidence• Negative assumptions• Points out risks and dangersQuestions to ask in coaching:‘What could prevent this working? What are the weaknesses?

Imagine Black judge’s robe representing caution, wisdom!

Think of what things you should be cautious of …

Green Hat Thinking

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Creative and New Ideas:

• Creative Thinking• New ideas, concepts and perceptions• Change• Alternatives and more alternatives• New approaches to problems

In coaching:The use of tools can be powerful

Imagine Green grass for constantly creating new ideas.

Think of something creative…

Blue Hat Thinking

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Focus, Control and Organisation of Thinking:

• Ask the right questions• Define the issues• Set the Thinking tasks• Responsible for summaries, overviews and conclusions• Ensures the rules of the exercise • Observes and facilitates• The Blue Hat often starts and finishes the processQuestions to ask in coaching:‘What are the boundaries?’ ‘Where are the parameters?’

Imagine Blue sky for thinking from a new perspective, as if you were a bird in the air looking down at the earth

Explain why…

In Conclusion

• Provides a common language• Have an appreciation for the experience and intelligence of each participant • Diversity of thought• Use more of our brains• Helps people work against type and preferences• Saves time• Focus (one thing at a time)• Creates, evaluates and implements action plans

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When Using the Hats

• Use any hat, as often as needed• Sequence can be pre-set or evolving• Not necessary to use every hat• Time under each hat: generally short• Requires discipline from each person• While using it, stay in the idiom• Adds an element of play, play along• Can be used by individuals and groups

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