USE OF THE SIX THINKING HATS IN

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT
Programme designed and presented by: Sue Willmore (Co-Manager)
and Jacque Biggs (Employment Advisor) from Poly-Emp, Employment &
Advisory Service
This two day workshop will introduce participants to the six thinking hats,
the roles of the individual hats and how the hats are used. It will give
participants the resources to use with the people they support.
The presenters will teach participants how to design a focus map. The group
will have the opportunity to work with the six thinking hats and discover their
potential for use in Supported Employment.
The Presenters:
Sue and Jacque studied together and gained their bachelor in Social Sciences
(Human Services) in 2005. They have many years of experience between
them in the human services sector. Sue and Jacque share an interest in the
six thinking hats, believe that this tool has the potential to expand peoples
ability to think creatively around the issues and problems they face in the
workplace. Sue and Jacque have received training in the use of Dr de Bonos
tools, and have recently gained accreditation as trainers in these.
TRAINING OVERVIEW
Dr Edward de Bono is regarded by many as the leading authority in lateral
thinking. His tool the six thinking hats uses parallel thinking in order to unbundle our thinking processes and increase our creativity. This training will
teach the six thinking hats and other lateral tools, which will enable
practitioners in supported employment to increase positive outcomes for the
people they support.
Day One will explore and explain the six thinking hats tool, explaining
parallel thinking versus adversarial thinking. Participants will learn to use
some lateral thinking tools, and have the opportunity to sample the hats.
Day Two will look into purpose and focus, and how to develop these
effectively, also how to use the hats in a variety of settings. The participants
will then have the opportunity to practice using the tool in a supported
employment setting. The day will finish by addressing any issues or
questions that have been raised during the sessions.
RESOURCES
There will be some resources provided during the training at no cost.
However, through accreditation Sue and Jacque are able to offer de Bono
Institute six thinking hats workbooks. These workbooks contain a wealth
of information and exercises to increase your depth of understanding of the
use of the tools. Although it will not be necessary to purchase the workbooks
to complete the training, it is highly recommended. These folders cost
$71.50 each. You can arrange to purchase these through the presenters.

USE OF THE SIX THINKING HATS IN SUPPORTED

EMPLOYMENT
DAY ONE:
9AM:

Welcome and introductions

Participants expectations
Objectives and Agenda
Comparison exercise
History of the Hats
Hats concept

10.30AM

MORNING TEA

10.45AM

DVD
White Hat
Red Hat
Black Hat
Yellow Hat

12.30AM

LUNCH

1.00PM

Green Hat
Blue Hat
Sampling the six thinking hats

3.30PM

AFTERNOON TEA

3.45PM

Lateral thinking

4.30PM

CLOSE

DAY TWO:
9.00AM:

Recap on purpose of individual hats and group discussion.

Purpose focus

10.30AM:

MORNING TEA

10.45AM:

Purpose focus continued

Sequencing of the hats

12.30PM:

LUNCH

1.00PM:

Practice Session 1 (Set scenario)

Debrief
Practice Session 2 (Live issue)
Debrief

3.30PM:

AFTERNOON TEA

3.45PM:

Clarifying issues
Question session

4.30PM:

CLOSE