Six Thinking Hats Thinking Together

• Edward DeBono • There are many ways to look at the same

• Parallel Thinking
• Uses all resources
• A Facilitated Discussion Process
• Everyone looks at every perspective
• Less confusing and more organized
situation.
• Our goal is to think collectively, to use the
best thinking skills to learn together
• Thinking is not about making a case for
one position but looking at all the angles.
• Organized thinking is holistic and more
complete.

Six Thinking Hats White Hat

• What information do we have?
Blue Hat: • What information do we need?
• What’s missing?
– Organize the conversation
• What questions do we need to ask?
– Summarize • How are we going to get the information?
– Overview • Neutral, just the facts, ma’am.
– Plan • Computer-like, curiosity
• First class facts: verifiable & verified
• Second class facts: we think we know
The Blue Hat often starts and finishes the
process.

1
 Yellow Hat
Black Hat
• Caution and criticism • What are the positive aspects?
• Stops us from doing something illegal, • The bright side
immoral or unwise • What are we building?
• Identifies risks, obstacles, weaknesses to • Opportunities
be overcome • Visions
• Distinguishes when it does not fit our
values

Red Hat Green Hat

• About emotions • Creativity and growth

• How do you feel about it? • New ideas and ways of looking
• All emotions are legitimate and don’t • New concepts and perceptions
require a logical basis or justification. • Brainstorming
• Simple: Mad, sad, glad, afraid, etc.
• Complex: hunches, intuition, gut reactions
• Don’t analyze the feelings