The Six Thinking Hats is a problem solving and decision making process which is particularly useful tool to help people think in a variety of ways instead of relying on their preferred method of decision making.  In this pdf our consultant Ally Brown has outlined the different hats and what each one represents. 

The Six Thinking Hats is a problem solving and decision making process first published in 1985 by Edward de Bono. It is a particularly useful tool to help people think in a variety of ways instead of relying on their preferred method of decision making.

For example, rational thinkers can overlook emotional objections and may find implementing change can be more difficult as other people may raise barriers resulting from their feelings. The benefits of creativity may also be harder to envisage for the rational thinker.

Emotional thinkers may fail to look at issues calmly from the perspective of others and can miss the opportunity for contingency planning. Pessimists may resort to defensiveness & may become entrenched in their negativity.

Using the full range of Thinking Hats ensures that individuals and teams can benefit from bringing together different ways of thinking, resulting in better decision making.

Each colour of hat represents a different way of thinking. The attached pdf shows how the Six Thinking Hats works using the subject of CCTV as an example.

Six thinking hats details in pdf format here

 

• The Six Thinking Hats and other decision making and problem solving techniques are part of the Facilitation, Problem Solving and Appreciative Inquiry Skills for Managers
• More information on this approach can be found on Wikipedia here
• If you found this exercise useful and would like to regularly receive more tools and resources, you are welcome to sign up for our FREE updates here