Six Thinking Hatsby Edward de Bono

Mackenzie Parrish

Dr. Edward de Bono• He has written 76 books and

lectured in 58 countries

• Methods are mandatory on the school curriculum in some countries

• Coined the term lateral thinking

Purpose of the Six Thinking Hats

• Prevents confusion when thinking

• Corresponds to the different colors used in printing a map—think of it as mapmaking

• Focuses on deliberate thinking

The Six Thinking Hats

Black Thinking Hat

• Negative, but not emotional

• Never an argument

• Challenge of figures and reports

• “I have this negative view it is up to you to convince me that I am wrong.”

Yellow Thinking Hat

• Positive

• Not the same as red hat thinking—should find support and reasoning

• Uses constructive thinking

• “Failing that examination was the best thing that could have ever happened to her. She would not have been happy as a teacher.”

Green Thinking Hat• Creativity

• Look for new or different alternatives

• Lateral thinking—switching patterns• Movement and Provocation

• “Under the protection of the green hat, I want to suggest that we fire the sales force.”

If you want to use the Six Thinking Hats method

remember…• Always allow a switch in thinking

• What color hat you are wearing does not define you as a person—you are only “roleplaying”

• The “wearing” of the hats provides a convenience for requesting a certain type of thinking either of oneself or others

• The hats establish rules for the game of thinking

“…At this point I want to make a yellow hat remark. Try it out yourself!”

-Edward de Bono