+Edward de Bono’sSix Thinking Hats

A tool for decision making & problem solving

FREDERICK MARS UNTALAN MD

+Creativ

e Proble

m Solving

+“Traditional” CPS

Mess-findingData-findingProblem-findingIdea-findingSolution-findingAcceptance-finding

+ Common idea-finding methods

BrainstormingMind MapsFree associationFree-writingIncubation

+ Six hats & problem solving

A more deliberate process than CPSLike CPS, uses creativity (green hat)Unlike CPS, provides a mechanism for evaluating ideas & making decisions

+

Plato: See Shadows of the

Truth

Aristotle: Concerned with What Is-- Analysis,

Judgment, Argument

Socrates: Focused on the

Negative

+

Six hats is parallel thinking

+

The Originator

Dr. Edward de Bono

M.D., Ph.D., (philosophy, medicine & psychology), Rhodes scholar

World-renowned consultant to business, governments, schools and industry

Author of 62 books in 40 languages Originator of Six Thinking Hats, Lateral

Thinking and Direct Attention Thinking Tools

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+ THINKING“The Ultimate Human Resourc

e” We can always improve our thinking skills. Confused thinking arises from trying to do too

much at once. We should emphasize what can be, &

not what is.

+ Benefits Of The Six Thinking Hat Framework

Parallel

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Improve ExplorationSave Time

Improve Creativity & InnovationFoster Collaborative Thinking

Adversarial

+ Results Around The World

Since 1993 over 200,000 trainedIn use by many of the largest & most

successful organizations worldwideWorks well in different culturesApplies at all levels & across disciplines

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+ The Basics

There are six different imaginary hats that you can put on or take off.

Think of the “hats” as thinking icons.

Each hat is a different color and represents a different type or mode of thinking.

We all wear the same hat (do the same type of thinking) at the same time.

When we change hats - we change our thinking.

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+ So the six hats are…?Six colors of hats for six types of thinking

Each hat identifies a type of thinking Hats are directions of thinking

Hats help a group use parallel thinking You can “put on” and “take off” a hat

+Uses for Six HatsProblem solving Strategic planningRunning meetingsMuch more

+Six colors… White: neutral, objective Red: emotional, angry Black: serious, somber Yellow: sunny, positive Green: growth, fertility Blue: cool, sky above

+…and six hats White: objective facts & figures Red: emotions & feelings Black: cautious & careful Yellow: hope, positive & speculative Green: creativity, ideas & lateral thinking Blue: control & organization of thinking

The Red Hat

What do you feel about the suggestion?

What are your gut reactions?

What intuitions do you have?

Don’t think too long or too hard.

The White Hat

The information seeking hat.

What are the facts?What information is

available? What is relevant?

When wearing the white hat we are neutral in our thinking.

The Yellow Hat

The sunshine hat. It is positive and

constructive. It is about

effectiveness and getting a job done.

What are the benefits, the advantages?

The Black Hat

The caution hat.In black hat the

thinker points out errors or pit-falls.

What are the risks or dangers involved?

Identifies difficulties and problems.

The Green Hat

This is the creative mode of thinking.

Green represents growth and movement.

In green hat we look to new ideas and solutions.

Lateral thinking wears a green hat.

The Blue Hat

The control hat, organising thinking itself.

Sets the focus, calls for the use of other hats.

Monitors and reflects on the thinking processes used.

Blue is for planning.

+ Six Thinking Hats

IntuitiveInformative

Constructive

Cautious

CreativeReflective

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Blue HatBlue HatManaging The Thinking

Setting The FocusMaking Summaries

Overviews ConclusionsAction Plans

Green HatGreen HatCreative Thinking

Possibilities Alternatives New Ideas New Concepts

Overcome Black Hat Problems & Reinforce Yellow Hat Values

Black HatBlack Hat Why It May Not Work

Cautions DangersProblems Faults Logical Reasons Must Be Given

Yellow HatYellow HatWhy It May Work

Values & Benefits(Both Known & Potential)

The Good In ItLogical Reasons Must Be Given

Red HatRed HatFeelings & Intuition

Emotions Or Hunches “At This Point”

No Reasons or JustificationKeep It Short

White HatWhite HatInformation & Data

Neutral & ObjectiveChecked & Believed Facts

Missing Information & Where To Source It

FOCUSFOCUS

+ General Hat issues Direction, not description

Set out to think in a certain direction “Let’s have some black hat thinking…”

Not categories of people Not: “He’s a black hat thinker.” Everyone can and should use all the hats

A constructive form of showing off Show off by being a better thinker Not destructive right vs. wrong argument

Use in whole or in part

+ Benefits of Six Thinking Hats Provides a common language Experience & intelligence of each person (Diversity of thought) Use more of our brains Helps people work against type, preference Removal of ego (reduce confrontation) Save time Focus (one thing at a time) Create, evaluate & implement action plans

+ Using the hats

Use any hat, as often as needed Sequence can be preset 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

+ Results of Six Hat Thinking

Deriving power from focused thinking Saving time Removing ego from decisions Doing one thing at a time

+ Use Preset Sequence

Discipline

Timing

Guidelines

+ Results of Six Hat Thinking

Decisions Seem to Make

Themselves!

+ What If It’s Not Possible to Make a Decision...?

May Need More Information

Can’t Reconcile Values

May Depend on Future Information

+

+

+Role

of the Chairperson/Presiding Officer/Facilitator

Define the focus of your thinking

Plan the sequence and timing of the thinking

Ask for changes in the thinking if needed

Handle requests from the group for changes in the thinking

Form periodic or final summaries of the thinking for consideration by the team

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+ Role of the member/participant

Follow the lead of trained Six Thinking Hats facilitator

Stick to the hat (type of thinking) that is in current use

Try to work within the time limits

Contribute honestly & fully under each of the hats

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+Edward de Bono’sSix Thinking Hats

A tool for decision making & problem solving

FREDERICK MARS UNTALAN MD