Six Hats of Thinking
"The six hats method allows children to think more richly and more comprehensively.
If we simply ask children to think about something, they are often at a loss. But if
they are invited to explore the subject using the framework of the hats, their
perceptual powers are quickly expanded."
Edward de Bono in Six Thinking Hats for School, 1992.
WHITE: is neutral and objective, concerned with objective facts and figures
RED: relates to anger and rage, so is concerned with emotions
BLACK: is gloomy, and covers the negative - why things can't be done
YELLOW: is sunny and positive, indicating hope and positive thinking
GREEN: is abundant, fertile growth, indicating creativity and new ideas
BLUE: is the sky above us, so is concerned with the control and organisation of the
thinking process
The WHITE Hat
The facts, and only the facts
The white hat, like a blank piece of paper, is completely neutral, impartial and
objective. It deals with only facts, figures, and information at hand.
When using the WHITE Hat we ask a few basic questions:
1. What information do we have? (About the topic in question)
2. What information do we need?
3. Where can we get the required information from.
4. What is relevant?
At any point in a discussion, sometimes it is helpful to stop and have some “white hat
thinking”... pause for a moment and look at the information and hand.
Cease all speculation and arguments and take stock of where you are.
The RED Hat
fire, warmth
The Red Hat deals with intuition, feelings and emotions.
When dealing with feelings, views can be presented without justification or
explanation.
When using the red hat, some things we consider are:
1. How do we feel about the topic?
2. Consider emotions such as fear, likes, dislikes, love, hate, anger.
3.What are your gut reactions?
4.What intuitions do you have?
"Putting on my red hat, I think this is a terrible proposal."
The BLACK Hat
stern, like a judges black robe
The black hat is judgemental, critical. It is the hat of caution, which allows the wearer
to reflect on the negatives of an idea and list the drawbacks.
Some things to consider when wearing the Black Hat are:
1. Costs. (too expensive? Not enough money?)
2. Regulations. (to strict? Not strict enough? Unable to work within them? )
3. Design. (not practical? Looks wrong?)
4.Materials. (high maintenance? Too hard to get?)
5. Safety issues or risks.
6. Identifies difficulties and problems.
The Black hat is a very useful hat, but be careful not to bring it in to early in a
discussion as it can stifle creativity and ideas.
The YELLOW Hat
brightness, optimism
The yellow hat symbolises all that is positive and optimistic.
It can be used for looking at positive results in the past, or all that is possible in the
future, for assessing the benefits of an idea, or finding its values.
It is about effectiveness and getting a job done.
Some things to consider using the yellow hat are:
1.What are the benefits?
2.Why is this preferable?
3.What are the positive assets?
4. How can we make this work?
The GREEN Hat
new growth
The Green hat focuses on creative ideas and looking at all the alternatives.
It allows for new approaches and innovative thinking with potential for growth.
In green hat we look to new ideas and solutions.
Questions you might ask while wearing your green hat include:
1. Are there any other ideas here?
2. Are there any additional alternatives?
3. Could we do this in a different way?
4. Could there be another explanation?
The green hat is often the hardest because it is all about thinking outside the norm
and going against our habits of function, recognition and criticism.
Be careful not to use the green hat too much as you may stray too far from the
original idea.
The BLUE Hat
sky, overview
The Blue hat is the overseer or “process control” making sure all thoughts stay
relatively on track by redirecting thinking eg. If an emotional response (red hat) is
given while using the yellow hat, the Blue hat will keep the discussion on track.
It is responsible for setting the agenda, being the time keeper and ensures the 6 hats
guidelines are observed.
Using the Hats
The purpose of the hats is to direct thinking, not classify either the thinking or the thinker.
Indeed, by wearing a hat that is different from the one that one customarily wears, one may
chance upon a variety of new ideas. Wearing a hat means deliberately adopting a perspective
that is not necessarily one’s own. It is important that all group members are aware of this fact. A
group member must clearly identify the color of the hat he is wearing while making a statement.
Wearing a clearly identified hat separates ego from performance. The Six Hat Method is useful
even for individuals thinking by themselves. Hats may be used in some structured sequence depending on the nature of the issue.
Here is an example agenda for a typical 6 hats workshop:
Step 1: Present the facts of the case (White Hat)
Step 2: Generate ideas on how the case could be handled (Green Hat)
Step 3: Evaluate the merits of the ideas - List the benefits (Yellow Hat),
List the drawbacks (Black Hat)
Step 4: Get everybody’s gut feelings about the alternatives (Red Hat)
Step 5: Summarize and adjourn the meeting (Blue Hat)
Six Thinking Hats
Intuitive
Informative
Constructive
Cautious
Creative
Reflective
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