Six Thinking Hats

About the Author

Edward de Bono is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on creative thinking. A Maltese physician, psychologist, and author, de Bono is best known for developing the concept of "lateral thinking," a method of reasoning that allows individuals to approach problems from unique and often unconventional perspectives. His works have been instrumental in shaping the fields of cognitive psychology and creative problem solving. With more than 60 books to his name, de Bono has influenced countless professionals across industries, advocating for the teaching of thinking as a skill in schools.

One of his most influential works, “Six Thinking Hats,” published originally in 1985 and revised in 2017, offers a structured approach to thinking that enhances productivity and creativity. By compartmentalizing different aspects of thought, de Bono's method allows individuals and groups to address problems from multiple angles, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of any given situation.

Main Idea

The central premise of "Six Thinking Hats" revolves around the concept of parallel thinking. Instead of engaging in traditional debate, where conflicting viewpoints clash in an attempt to reach a resolution, parallel thinking allows participants to explore various perspectives in a collaborative manner. The metaphor of different colored hats represents different styles of thinking, each of which can be worn and removed as needed. This method encourages a deliberate, focused approach to problem-solving, minimizing confusion and conflict while maximizing the creative potential of all involved.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Six Thinking Hats
2. The Blue Hat: Thinking About Thinking
3. The White Hat: Gathering Facts
4. The Red Hat: Acknowledging Emotions
5. The Black Hat: Critical Evaluation
6. The Yellow Hat: Constructive Thinking
7. The Green Hat: Creative Solutions
8. Applying the Six Thinking Hats in Practice
9. Conclusion: The Benefits of Parallel Thinking

Introduction to the Six Thinking Hats

In traditional thinking processes, there’s often a mixture of emotions, facts, critiques, and creativity all at once, leading to confusion and unproductive arguments. De Bono's Six Thinking Hats method breaks down this complexity into six distinct modes of thinking, symbolized by different colored hats. By wearing only one hat at a time, individuals and groups can focus on one aspect of thinking without interference, leading to clearer, more organized discussions and decisions.

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Each hat represents a specific type of thinking:

• The Blue Hat: Metacognition or the process of thinking about thinking.
• The White Hat: Objective facts and figures, devoid of emotions or interpretations.
• The Red Hat: Emotions and intuitions, allowing gut feelings to surface.
• The Black Hat: Critique and caution, focusing on potential problems and risks.
• The Yellow Hat: Optimism and constructive thinking, searching for benefits and opportunities.
• The Green Hat: Creativity and new ideas, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.

These hats can be "worn" by individuals or groups during discussions to explore each aspect of an issue thoroughly. The method’s power lies in its ability to structure thinking in a way that prevents the chaos of simultaneous, conflicting thought processes.