The 6 Thinking Hats

The 6 Thinking Hats is a method developed by Edward de Bono that helps teams structure their thinking. By using six distinct modes of thought, this game allows for the exploration of a topic from various angles, thereby fostering creativity and collaboration. It is particularly useful for improving decision-making and understanding complex issues.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction and explanation of the hats

   10 min

   The facilitator begins by explaining the concept of the 6 Thinking Hats. Each hat represents a mode of thinking: white for information, red for emotions, black for criticism, yellow for benefits, green for creativity, and blue for organisation. It is essential that participants fully understand each hat before starting.

   Tip — Use physical objects like hats or coloured cards to better anchor each role in the participants' minds.

2. 2

   Presentation of the topic

   5 min

   The facilitator presents the topic or problem to explore. It is important that the topic is relevant and engaging for the participants. The facilitator might say: 'We will explore this topic using the different hats to gain a complete and nuanced view.'

   Tip — Choose a topic that sparks interest and has multiple facets to explore to maximise engagement.

3. 3

   Thinking round with the white hat

   10 min

   Participants wear the white hat and focus solely on the facts and objective information regarding the topic. The facilitator can ask questions like: 'What data do we have?' or 'What facts do we still need to verify?'.

   Tip — Encourage participants to focus on the facts, even if they have strong personal opinions on the topic.

4. 4

   Exploring emotions with the red hat

   10 min

   With the red hat, participants express their feelings and intuitions about the topic. The facilitator can ask: 'What are your instinctive reactions?' or 'What feelings does this topic evoke?'. This step allows for the recognition of the emotional impact of the topic.

   Tip — Reassure participants that all emotions are valid and that there is no judgement here.

5. 5

   Critical analysis with the black hat

   10 min

   Participants use the black hat to identify risks and potential problems. The facilitator encourages questions such as: 'What are the possible dangers?' or 'What could go wrong?'. This helps anticipate obstacles.

   Tip — Encourage constructive criticism and avoid letting it become too negative or discouraging.

6. 6

   Identifying opportunities with the yellow hat

   10 min

   The yellow hat allows participants to focus on benefits and opportunities. The facilitator poses questions like: 'What are the potential benefits?' or 'What positive solutions can we consider?'.

   Tip — Encourage participants to be optimistic and seek creative solutions.

7. 7

   Creativity with the green hat

   10 min

   With the green hat, participants explore new ideas and approaches. The facilitator might ask: 'What innovative solutions can we imagine?' or 'How can we think differently?'.

   Tip — Encourage a judgement-free brainstorming session to foster innovation.

8. 8

   Synthesis and organisation with the blue hat

   10 min

   Finally, the blue hat helps structure the thinking and plan the next steps. The facilitator summarises the key points and discusses future actions: 'How will we integrate these ideas?' or 'What are the next steps?'.

   Tip — Use this step to clarify decisions and assign concrete responsibilities.

Variants

• Use physical coloured hats to enhance visual engagement.
• Adjust the time spent on each hat based on the complexity of the topic.
• Integrate a written reflection where participants note their thoughts before sharing verbally.