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Characteristics and information about theory

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Edward de Bono describes the 6 hats approach.

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Edward de Bono describes the 6 hats approach.

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Edward de Bono - discusses the Six Thinking Hats®

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Edward de Bono and the development of the 6 Thinking Hats

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Edward de Bono and the development of the 6 Thinking Hats

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Edward de Bono was a very well educated man with a strong math background. He worked as an immunologist which helped him recognize the immune system is a self-organizing and complex system. This helped him realize that is what the brain and mind are like as well eventually leading de Bono to write books and speak to teams about thinking. He coined the term "Lateral Thinking" which is using creativity and indirect thinking to solve problems (1967).

In the 1980s, de Bono developed his 6 Thinking Hats method. He wanted to teach people how to think as he realized that many people did not know how to think. He realized people were not thinking clearly because they were thinking about too many things at once, almost over analyzing the problem rather than solving the problem. His 6 Thinking Hats method encouraged people to think with the focus on one specific aspect rather than multiple aspects simultaneously.

In spite of his creativity, de Bono was modest and did not want any credit for his methods. He has very original ideas and very few people have heard of him. de Bono promotes his methods with testimonials of successes rather than . With all of his different ideas and books written, information regarding the development of his methods is scarce.

de Bono, E. (1985). Six thinking hats. London, England: Little, Brown, and Company.

Pstrokonski, S. (Producer). (2018, January 31). Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://educationbookcast.libsyn.com/

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Characteristics and information about theory

By Jeremy Decker

It is a good decision making technique and method for group discussions and individual thinking

Helps groups think more effectively

Is a means to organize thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive manner

Thinking hat=a certain way of thinking

People must look at a problem from different perspectives

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The Six Thinking Hats Model of decision making teaches that people have varying perspectives when considering an issue.  Each of the six colored hats represents a view point that one could hold on an issue, which influences their thinking and decision making.  This method of decision making allows for people to multiple perspectives of an issue.

White Hat: This thinking is focused on data.  This hat uses data to drive decision making.  This is done by looking for trends in data and analyzing any gaps that currently occur.
Red Hat: This hat uses intuition and gut feelings to make decisions.  This hat thinks about how others feel about issues.
Black Hat: Black Hat thinkers typically look at what possible negatives outcomes could come from a decision.  This thinking takes their time and looks plans over with caution, highlighting the weak points in the plan.
Yellow Hat: The Yellow Hat is the positive thinker.  This thinking finds the benefits in the plan.  This hat also keeps the team going even when things seem to be going wrong.
Green Hat: This hat is the creative thinker.  This hat helps teams create creative solutions to problems.  This person has an open mind that thinks "outside of the box".
Blue Hat: The Blue Hat is in control of the process.  This form of thinking is done by the leader of a group.  It is their job to direct the team to new thinking hats when ideas run dry.

Six thinking hats: looking at a decision from all points of view. Mind Tools, retrieved from www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm

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This video teaches about the usefulness of the Six Thinking Hats when making decisions in a group.  The narrator describes the Thinking Hats as a method for looking at a topic through many perspectives while keeping the topic at the forefront of the conversation.  It recommends using this method of thinking in two ways.  The first useful practice using this method of decision making is to assign each member of the group to think about an issue using one of the six hats.  Another useful strategy for using this decision-making strategy is to think about the same perspective (hat) at the same time.  The video also provides a realistic example of the use of this method of thinking.   

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This video teaches about the usefulness of the Six Thinking Hats when making decisions in a group.  The narrator describes the Thinking Hats as a method for looking at a topic through many perspectives while keeping the topic at the forefront of the conversation.  It recommends using this method of thinking in two ways.  The first useful practice using this method of decision making is to assign each member of the group to think about an issue using one of the six hats.  Another useful strategy for using this decision-making strategy is to think about the same perspective (hat) at the same time.  The video also provides a realistic example of the use of this method of thinking.   

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Thinking Hats allow a range of different viewpoints and perspectives to be brought into a discussion, whilst still keeping the focus on the issue at hand. The team learns how to separate thinking into six clear functions and roles, getting them to look at all sides of an issue. Structuring the conversation around these different viewpoints helps avoid endless, free flowing debates around topics, and instead helps create a meaningful, focused discussion.

For more information, visit: http://diytoolkit.org/tools/thinking-hats-2/

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This video describes each of the six thinking hats and suggests one way to structure a meeting using this model of decision making.  

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This video describes each of the six thinking hats and suggests one way to structure a meeting using this model of decision making.  

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An introduction to the Six Thinking Hats

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Includes advantages, benefits, constraints, and disadvantages about the Six Thinking Hats decision-making theory.

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Cons of the Six Thinking Hats decision-making theory.

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Cons of the Six Thinking Hats decision-making theory.

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Although the six thinking hats decision-making theory has many advantages and freedoms, it also has some substantial drawbacks to consider. According to Aithal and others, this theory can be very time consuming, can lead to group conflicts, and causes less ownership of the decision. (Aithal, Shailashree, & Suresh Kumar, 2016)

Six Thinking Hats has people taking on different roles, because of this people may be insecure or inexperienced with a role they are assigned to. This can lead to group conflicts between members who feel that not everyone is invested. Also, because there are multiple roles that bring forth different solutions, it can lead to too many solutions making it difficult to come to a consensus. Members may argue with one another when trying to determine the best solution for the group. In addition, some group members may develop an ego and only want to back the solution they came up with. This whole process can become time consuming depending upon the groups ability to be open to other ideas and willingness to work together.

If a decision has been made and that decision does not succeed then this decision-making theory can lend itself to group members placing blame on the person who initially came up with the decision. Six Thinking Hats may also lead to less success because of group members not taking ownership of the decision made if they are not the ones who originally put forth the idea or they do not agree with the final solution.

Ultimately, this theory has it downfalls. Groups must be knowledgeable and comfortable with all of the roles and be willing to work together for one common goal. If this is not the case, then this theory can cause more conflicts then solutions and lead to time-consuming meetings.

Aithal, P. S., Shailashree, V. T., & Suresh Kumar, P. M. (2016). FACTORS & ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SIX THINKINGHATS TECHNIQUE USING ABCD FRAMEWORK. International Journal of Advanced Trends in Engineering and Technology,1(1), 85-95.

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I recently came across the book 'The Six Thinking Hats' by Edward de Bono and was surprised I had not encountered it before. If you have experience of using 'The Six Thinking Hats,' this blog post may be a good reminder on how to reconnect with the concept. If like me, it is new to you, come on in and join the party.

Edward de Bono is the author of over fifty books and is famous for developing the concept of 'lateral thinking.'

His concept of 'The Six Thinking Hats' is used by business leaders and creative thinkers worldwide. So, how does it work?

Each hat stands for a different way of thinking about a topic:

THE BLUE HAT stands for Managing the Process. So, you obviously start here. How long are you going to discuss the topic? Working through the other five hats etc.

THE WHITE HAT (sorry had a problem getting white and a highlighter on WordPress - having a nightmare with WordPress today. Work with me - imagine the word in white!) It stands for collecting and discussing ONLY the facts. No emotions allowed here!

THE GREEN HAT stands for creativity. This is where you consider fresh ideas, new perspectives and alternatives.

THE YELLOW HAT stands for exploring the values and benefits of your ideas. If it is working, why so? What are the benefits of doing it this way?

THE RED HAT stands for expressing your emotions about the project. How do you feel about the ideas/concepts you have decided upon? This is the place to get your frustrations/fears or maybe even your happiness out in the open.

THE BLACK HAT stands for the voice of doom. This is the opportunity to be the judge and state why this absolutely will not work - shoot em down, why don't you?

So that's all well and good, but really, do we have time for this? What are the benefits?

Well, for one thing, it immediately cuts out black and white thinking - sorry, couldn't resist.

It also helps individuals focus on problem solving from six different angles.

It enables people who may be 'stuck' in one type of thinking to consider the problem afresh and anew.

On your team, you may have 'process driven thinkers' who will enjoy the green hat and the yellow hat, and you may have control type thinkers who are more prone to focus on the black and white hats (I actually typed in 'shite hat' there by mistake!) Forcing them to look at the issue from another's perspective can boost not only your own productivity but that of the whole team.

The emotional types are also forced into considering the problem from a 'facts only' perspective - something they may find challenging.

I hope you can see that by using these ways of thinking you get a much deeper insight into, not only how to solve a problem, but how you think about and work through a problem.

I will definitely be using this process both for myself and for my career clients. Sometimes when I meet a client, they are so focused on one aspect they hate about their career or job, they have never considered approaching the problem from another angle. I am hoping the 'six hats' are going to provide me with a useful tool to enable us to open up the discussion and consider it with every hat on.

I hope you have found this useful. Hats off to you if you plan on using it!

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Benefits of 'The Six Thinking Hats' by Edward de Bono

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I recently came across the book 'The Six Thinking Hats' by Edward de Bono and was surprised I had not encountered it before. If you have experience of using 'The Six Thinking Hats,' this blog post may be a good reminder on how to reconnect with the concept.

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Here is a quick image of the benefits of Six Thinking Hats

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Short list of Benefits in this article.

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Six Thinking Hats is a proven methodology for individuals and groups to make better deciosions. Click here to learn more.

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An example of the six hat decision making:

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An example of the six hat decision making:

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A property company is deciding if a new office block should be built.  The six hat decision making was utilized.
White hat- analyzes the data of available office spaces, the rate which it is being occupied, and the economic outlook.
Red hat- they feel the physical condition of the proposed building is ugly and some may not want to work there based on that.
Black hat- they question the reliability of the economic forecast.  If the economy is worse when the building is finished, it could sit empty for a period of time.
Yellow hat- if the economic forecast is correct, the company will make a profit for a long period of time.  If the economy gets worse in the future, the building could be sold.
Green hat- consider redesigning the proposed building to make it more appealing.  Another option is to buy property at a cheaper rate if an economic downturn occurs.
Blue hat- chairman of the meeting that keeps the conversation flowing.

Six thinking hats: looking at a decision from all points of view. Mind Tools, retrieved from www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm

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Video: Describing the Six Think Hats and how they can be applied.

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Video: Describing the Six Think Hats and how they can be applied.

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Here is a simple video that can be used to introduce the Six Thinking Hats to older students in the classroom. It demonstrates how one individual can switch the thinking hat they are using throughout a given task.

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Critical Thinking and Problem Solving with de Bono in the classroom.

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Critical Thinking and Problem Solving with de Bono in the classroom.

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Many curriculum documents do not provide the direct and deliberate instruction necessary to teach critical thinking skills in the classroom explicitly. Dr. Edward De Bono is a leader in the field of critical thinking skills. These skills can be applied to determine the validity of information, problem-solving, and decision making. Thinking can be a very complicated process that requires a higher level of thinking. For those who have not received explicit instruction on these techniques, this can be an overwhelming task. Applying the six hat thinking model can simplify the critical thinking process and assist students in problem-solving. The hats draw attention to all aspects of thinking including the constructive and the creative elements (Kivunja, 2015). The attached document describes how each of the Six Thinking Hats applies in the classroom.
Source:
Kivunja, C. (2015) Using De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats Model to Teach Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills Essential for Success in the 21st Century Economy. Creative Education, 6, 380-391. doi: 10.4236/ce.2015.63037.

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How could six hat thinking be used in schools?

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How could six hat thinking be used in schools?

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There are 6 hats: blue- the control mechanism that manages the process, yellow- positive thinking and optimism, white- seeks our facts and information, green- new ideas and creativity, red- feelings and intuitions, black- problems and judgement. The 6 hats can all be worn at various times within a lesson as the students demonstrate the thinking process. Teachers scaffold the students thinking process as the students code where the information came from, and articulate their thinking. Although, the students may focus on one hat they can bring in another hat at anytime. The thinking hats are used to engage students in the meta-cognitive thoughts and structure their thinking to provide a response.

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deBono Six Thinking Hats in the Classroom

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An example of the deBono technique used in a classroom context with children in years 1 and 2

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This activity would be most appropriate for middle or high school students in teams of 4-5 students. Each team gets a set of blue hat topic cards and a set of blue hat call for thinking cards. When it is your turn you draw a blue hat topic card and read it to the group. The timer draws a blue hat call for thinking card and asks you to generate thinking based on the colored hat that is revealed on the card. You have 1 minute to generate as many correct answers as you can. For every correct response you receive 1 point.