JUDITH
ENDERS
6 Thinking Hats is a book written by Edward de Bono, a Maltese physician, author, inventor and consultant.
The term Six Thinking Hats is used to describe the tool for group discussion and individual thinking. "Six Thinking Hats" and the associated idea parallel thinking provide a means for groups to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive way, and in doing so to think together more effectively.
What is parallel thinking?
Parallel thinking describes a thinking process in which focus is split in different directions. It explores what can rather than what is, focussing on the exploration of possibilities. This stands in contrast to the adversarial approach or dialectic approach, where (usually) two opponents discuss if a statement is true or not.
Put on your Thinking Hats!
What is 6 Thinking Hats about?
The underlying assumption is that the human brain is able to work in several unique ways and that these ways of thinking can be challenged and utilized in the innovation process. 6 Thinking Hats refers to the process of thinking in 6 distinct ways, as identified by de Bono. In each of these directions the brain will identify and bring into conscious thought certain aspects of issues being considered.
WHITE (Information): considering purely what information is available, what are the facts?
RED (Emotions): intuitive or instinctive gut reactions or statements of emotional feeling (but not any justification)
BLACK (Discernment): logic applied to identifying reasons to be cautious and conservative
YELLOW (Optimistic reponse): logic applied to identifying benefits, seeking harmony
GREEN (Creativity): statements of provocation and investigation, seeing where a thought goes
Putting on these thinking hats does not constitute a natural way of thinking and may feel uncomfortable, however it is a sure way to avoid falling into the negativity trap that we all commit if we are not careful - that is, thinking too negatively, assuming something won't work anyway, etc. and hence stopping creativity and innovation in its tracks.
How can I help you?
I offer workshops, both in English and Spanish, for your team of any size or an individual to help you develop more creative ideas, innovate and unleash the potential of creativity at your organization. Contact me for more information.