Six Thinking Hats
The Six Thinking Hats is a powerful, parallel thinking technique, developed by Dr Edward de Bono, designed to improve the effectiveness of group discussion and individual thought by separating out different modes of thinking. The method provides a means for groups to switch their thinking focus deliberately and simultaneously, ensuring that all aspects of a problem or idea are explored without the interference of emotional reactions or premature judgment.
The technique works by assigning a different coloured, metaphorical hat to each of six distinct thinking styles, which participants are asked to adopt in sequence. The White Hat calls for a focus purely on objective facts, figures, and existing data, remaining neutral and impartial. The Red Hat allows for the expression of feelings, intuition, and emotions without the need for justification or logic. The Black Hat represents caution and critical judgment, identifying potential risks, problems, and why an idea may not work. The Yellow Hat is optimistic, focusing on the positive aspects, benefits, and value of an idea, highlighting feasibility and opportunity. The Green Hat is creative, encouraging the generation of new ideas, alternatives, and possibilities, promoting deliberate change. Finally, the Blue Hat serves as the control and process management, defining the thinking sequence, managing the discussion, and summarising the group's findings. By imposing a structure where everyone "wears" the same colour hat at the same time, the method ensures comprehensive exploration and prevents the chaos often caused by individuals thinking in different modes simultaneously.
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