Six Thinking Hats (STH)

Introduction to Six Thinking Hats

The Six Thinking Hats is an innovative way of thinking developed by Edward de Bono. It is a model that aims to shift thinking away from habitual ways and towards a more rounded view of a situation or problem. This technique encourages individuals and teams to approach problems from different perspectives, promoting open-mindedness and comprehensive consideration of all aspects.

Understanding the Hats

• White Hat: Focuses on data, facts, and information known or needed.
• Red Hat: Looks at problems using intuition, gut reaction, and emotion.
• Black Hat: Considers the negative aspects, why ideas might not work.
• Yellow Hat: Symbolizes brightness and optimism, explores positive aspects.
• Green Hat: Represents creativity, possibilities, alternatives, and new ideas.
• Blue Hat: Manages the thinking process, control of the other hats and enforces discipline.

Benefits of Six Thinking Hats

The method offers a means to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive manner. It helps to avoid confusion that can arise from too many ideas bouncing around at once, which can result in decision paralysis. Instead, the Six Thinking Hats method allows a switch in thinking (switching ‘hats’) to explore different perspectives towards a more comprehensive understanding of a situation or problem.

• A team could use the Six Thinking Hats in a brainstorming session to explore a new product idea. Each hat would guide the team’s thinking in a different direction, ensuring a well-rounded discussion.
• An individual could use the Six Thinking Hats to make a decision about a career move, using each hat to consider the decision from a different perspective.
• A business could use the Six Thinking Hats in a strategy meeting to ensure all aspects of a potential business challenge are considered.

The Six Thinking Hats method was introduced by Edward de Bono in his book ‘Six Thinking Hats’ in 1985. De Bono is a Maltese physician, psychologist, author, inventor, and consultant, known for his work in the field of creativity, lateral thinking, and direct teaching of thinking as a skill.

• The hats do not represent personality types or roles within a team, but rather different perspectives.
• The hats are not meant to be used in a strict sequence, but can be used in any order as appropriate to the situation.

• Compared to traditional brainstorming, Six Thinking Hats is more structured and covers a broader range of perspectives.
• Unlike SWOT analysis, which separates positives and negatives but doesn’t explicitly consider creative or emotional aspects, Six Thinking Hats includes these perspectives.

• Brainstorming
• Lateral Thinking
• Critical Thinking
• Strategic Planning
• Problem Solving