Book Review/Overview of “Six Thinking Hats”

Famous by Edward de bono

Six Thinking Hats

1. Humans face two major challenges to clear

thinking: the complexity of a situation or

problem, and their egos.

2. The “Six Thinking Hats method” helps

individuals and groups make better decisions by

simplifying their approach.

Take A Minute

T

hink about some problems that you are having.

D

on’t personalize it too much. (CT)

W

rite down one or two.

Now pick a problem that you would like to work on

T

ake a few minutes.

pick a color

White

Red

Black

Yellow

Green

Blue

Exercise:Use your color (hat) to help view the situation from many different angles.

•T

he white hat indicates neutrality, and attention to facts and figures.

•T

he red hat allows you to express feelings and intuition without having to

explain or justify them.

•T

he black hat signifies that you are being cautious, looking for possible

dangers or obstacles. Risk and Murphy’s law. Skeptic,

not a cynic!

Six Thinking Hats

T

he yellow hat means you are being optimistic. The bright side

is….

T

he green hat helps you tap into your creativity and brainstorm.

“In

what ways might we….?”

W

ith the blue hat, you feel calm and cool, and ready to

organize, facilitate, and lead the thinking session.

For more information

Six Thinking Hats

by Edward de Bono

Copyright © 1985, The McQuaig Group. Reprinted with permission.

Published by arrangement with Little, Brown and Company.

192 pages