Six Thinking Hats

1. The Six Thinking Hats: A Revolutionary Approach to Thinking

The Six Thinking Hats method may well be the most important change in human thinking for the past twenty-three hundred years.

Overview of the method. The Six Thinking Hats is a powerful technique designed to simplify the thinking process by separating it into distinct modes. Each "hat" represents a different style of thinking:

• White Hat: Neutral and objective, focusing on facts and figures
• Red Hat: Emotional view, intuitions and feelings
• Black Hat: Cautious and careful, identifying weaknesses
• Yellow Hat: Positive and optimistic, exploring benefits
• Green Hat: Creative thinking, generating new ideas
• Blue Hat: Process control, organizing the thinking process

Benefits and impact. This method has shown remarkable results across various fields:

• Reduced meeting times (e.g., from 30 days to 2 days for ABB)
• Increased thinking productivity (e.g., 493% increase for civil servants)
• Faster problem-solving (e.g., solving a $100,000/day problem in 12 minutes)
• Adaptable to different cultures, age groups, and organizational levels

2. White Hat: Objective Facts and Figures

Imagine a computer that gives the facts and figures for which it is asked. The computer is neutral and objective. It does not offer interpretations or opinions. When wearing the white thinking hat, the thinker should imitate the computer.

Focus on pure information. White Hat thinking emphasizes the collection and presentation of neutral, objective data without interpretation or bias. This mode of thinking helps create a clear foundation of facts upon which further analysis can be built.

Two-tier information system. White Hat thinking recognizes two levels of information:

• First-class facts: Verified and proven information
• Second-class facts: Believed to be true but not fully checked

Practical application. When using the White Hat:

• Ask focusing questions to obtain specific information
• Clearly distinguish between facts and beliefs
• Use "by and large" statements when appropriate, acknowledging the spectrum of likelihood
• Avoid sneaking in opinions or interpretations

3. Red Hat: Emotions and Intuition

The red hat gives a thinker the liberty to be more of a poet with his or her feelings. The red hat offers feelings the right to be made visible.

Legitimizing emotions in thinking. Red Hat thinking provides a formal channel for expressing emotions, intuitions, and gut feelings without the need for justification. This acknowledgment of the emotional aspect of thinking helps prevent hidden biases and allows for a more holistic approach to problem-solving.

Key aspects of Red Hat thinking:

• Express feelings ranging from strong emotions to subtle hunches
• No need to explain or justify the feelings expressed
• Useful for capturing initial reactions and changing sentiments over time
• Can include "intellectual feelings" such as interest or curiosity

Practical application:

• Use the Red Hat to get quick emotional responses to ideas or situations
• Apply it at the beginning and end of sessions to track changes in feelings
• Encourage all participants to express their feelings, even if they're neutral or mixed

4. Black Hat: Caution and Critical Thinking

The black hat is the most used of all the hats. The black hat is perhaps the most important hat. The black hat is the hat of caution.

Importance of caution. Black Hat thinking is crucial for survival and success. It helps identify potential risks, weaknesses, and obstacles in ideas or plans. This mode of thinking is based on logic and must always have a rational basis for criticism.

Key aspects of Black Hat thinking:

• Point out logical flaws and potential problems
• Assess risks and evaluate the feasibility of ideas
• Ensure compliance with laws, ethics, and values
• Examine how well ideas fit with past experiences and available resources

Balancing critical thinking:

• While essential, Black Hat thinking should not dominate the entire thinking process
• Use it in conjunction with other hats for a balanced approach
• Avoid overuse, which can lead to excessive negativity or pessimism

5. Yellow Hat: Optimism and Positive Speculation

Being positive is a choice. We can choose to look at things in a positive way. We can choose to focus on those aspects of a situation that are positive. We can search for benefits.

Cultivating value sensitivity. Yellow Hat thinking encourages deliberate efforts to find value and benefits in ideas, even those that initially seem unpromising. This mode of thinking is essential for recognizing opportunities and nurturing innovative concepts.

Key aspects of Yellow Hat thinking:

• Positive assessment and constructive development of ideas
• Speculative thinking about future possibilities and opportunities
• Logical support for optimistic viewpoints
• Search for alternatives and improvements

Practical application:

• Use Yellow Hat thinking to explore the best possible scenarios
• Develop "value sensitivity" to recognize potential in ideas
• Balance optimism with practicality by considering likelihood and feasibility
• Use it to shape and refine ideas for better implementation

6. Green Hat: Creativity and New Ideas

The green hat is the energy hat. Think of vegetation. Think of growth. Think of new leaves and branches. The green hat is the creative hat.

Fostering creativity. Green Hat thinking is dedicated to generating new ideas, exploring alternatives, and challenging conventional thinking. It provides a designated time and space for creative efforts, encouraging all participants to contribute innovative thoughts.

Key concepts in Green Hat thinking:

• Lateral thinking: Changing perceptions and concepts
• Provocation: Using deliberate "stupid" ideas to break out of established patterns
• Movement: Using ideas as stepping stones rather than judging them immediately

Practical techniques:

• Use the word "po" to signify provocative statements
• Employ random word techniques to stimulate new connections
• Practice the "creative pause" to deliberately seek alternatives, even when not obviously needed
• Focus on generating multiple options before evaluation

7. Blue Hat: Process Control and Meta-Thinking

The blue hat is like the conductor of the orchestra. The conductor gets the best out of the orchestra by seeing that what should be done is done at the right time.

Organizing the thinking process. Blue Hat thinking is about thinking about thinking. It involves setting the agenda, defining the problem, and managing the overall thinking process. This meta-level thinking ensures that the right type of thinking is applied at the right time.

Key functions of Blue Hat thinking:

• Define the focus and objectives of the thinking session
• Design the sequence of thinking steps (program design)
• Manage the use of other hats and thinking modes
• Summarize progress and draw conclusions

Practical application:

• Use Blue Hat at the beginning to set the stage and at the end to summarize
• Intervene with Blue Hat thinking to refocus or change direction when needed
• Employ it to set specific thinking tasks and monitor progress
• Use it to design custom "thinking software" for specific situations

8. Parallel Thinking: Moving Beyond Argument

The basic idea behind Western thinking was designed about twenty-three hundred years ago by the Greek 'Gang of Three' and is based on argument.

Shifting from adversarial to collaborative thinking. The Six Thinking Hats method introduces parallel thinking as an alternative to traditional argument-based thinking. This approach allows all participants to explore a subject from the same perspective simultaneously, leading to more productive and less confrontational discussions.

Benefits of parallel thinking:

• Reduces ego-driven conflicts in discussions
• Encourages full exploration of subjects before judgement
• Allows for the coexistence of conflicting ideas without immediate resolution
• Promotes constructive rather than destructive thinking

Implementation:

• Use hat sequences to guide all participants through different thinking modes
• Encourage everyone to contribute under each hat, rather than assigning roles
• Focus on exploring and building ideas rather than attacking or defending positions

9. The Power of Focused Thinking

The main difficulty of thinking is confusion. We try to do too much at once. Emotions, information, logic, hope and creativity all crowd in on us. It is like juggling with too many balls.

Simplifying complex thinking. The Six Thinking Hats method addresses the challenge of mental overload by allowing thinkers to focus on one aspect of thinking at a time. This focused approach leads to more thorough exploration of ideas and more efficient problem-solving.

Key benefits of focused thinking:

• Improved clarity and depth in each thinking mode
• Reduced cognitive load, allowing for better concentration
• Enhanced ability to switch between different thinking styles
• More structured and productive discussions

Practical strategies:

• Use timed sessions for each hat to maintain focus
• Practice switching between hats to develop mental flexibility
• Encourage participants to fully embrace each thinking mode when it's in use
• Use the Blue Hat to manage the focus and prevent drift

10. Practical Applications of the Six Hats Method

Those examples show huge changes. We are normally very happy with productivity increases of 5 or 10 per cent. Here we have changes of 500 per cent and more. Something is happening.

Real-world impact. The Six Thinking Hats method has been successfully applied across various fields and industries, demonstrating significant improvements in thinking efficiency and effectiveness.

Examples of successful applications:

• Business: Reduced meeting times, faster problem-solving, improved decision-making
• Education: Enhanced critical thinking skills, more engaging classroom discussions
• Personal development: Better self-awareness, improved communication skills

Implementation strategies:

• Start with simple hat sequences and gradually increase complexity
• Use visual cues (e.g., colored cards) to reinforce hat concepts
• Practice regularly to develop proficiency in each thinking mode
• Adapt the method to fit specific organizational or personal needs

Last updated: January 22, 2025