The Six Thinking Hats

The Six Thinking Hats A thinking system based on 6 imaginary hats which represent 6 different modes of thinking

When To Use The Six Hats? • The six hats technique can be used individually or in groups • Similarly, a single hat can be used for a brief thinking exercise, or the complete system can be used to solve a problem • The most common use is that the hats are used as a full system in group meetings

White is neutral and objective Red suggests anger, rage and emotions Black is sombre and serious Yellow is sunny and positive Green is grass, vegetation and abundant fertile growth Blue is cool and is the colour of the sky, which is above all else

“Neutral & objective” The White Hat The white hat is concerned with objective facts and figures Separates fact from speculation Specifies action needed to fill gaps in our knowledge Assesses the relevance and accuracy of information Notes both points of view when there is conflict

Facts Vs Beliefs It can be useful to make a distinction between • Checked facts • Unchecked facts (beliefs) Both are useful, but we must be sure to specify what kind of fact we are dealing with • “In 1991 the Russian merchant fleet carried 464 million tons of cargo” • “I think I am right in saying the Russian merchant fleet carries a significant part of world trade”

Typical White Hat Statements • Some typical “white hat” statements: • 18% of defects were cause by human error • The cost of the plastic containers has increased by 15% • How many of our staff can speak a 2nd language? • The project is 8 days ahead of schedule • Do we know what the ain causes for the increase in absenteeism are? • The majority of people surveyed felt the president was incompetent

“Anger, rage & emotions” The Red Hat • The red hat gives the emotional view • Gives permission to express feelings, hunches and intuitions • Does not require justification or explanation • Should be given a limited amount of time • Can be used to help make a decision

Typical Red Hat Statements • Some typical “red-hat” statements: • My red hat feeling is that this is a terrible idea • I really feel that she is the right person for the job • This design is hideous: it will never catch on • I don’t think that lowering prices is going to work • My gut jus tells me this is the right choice • I have a soft spot for Jim. I know he’s a conman and he certainly conned us, but he did it with style. I like him!

Exercises on White and Red Hat • A boy has kicked a ball into a neighbour’s lawn and has broken a window. They are yelling at each other. Give three examples of red hat remarks for each side. • Someone suggests to you that you should take up one of three hobbies: gardening, carpentry, stamp collecting. Do some white-hat thinking on each. Then follow this with red-hat thinking on each

“Sombre and serious” The Black Hat • The black hat is cautious and careful and points out the weaknesses in an idea • Explores why an idea may not work • Points out difficulties • Must give logical reasons for concerns

The Black Hat (cont…) • Should always be used if an idea seems attractive • Should always be used when action is going to be taken • Actually limits negativity by giving it its own time and place • Like salt – useful in moderation, but dangerous if overused!

Typical Black Hat Statements • Typical “black-hat” statements include: • This project does not fit the new regulations on data protection • If too many people accept our offer how will we cope? • It would be very easy to forge these gift vouchers • Those loose pieces may be swallowed by children • In introducing a wage freeze might cost us some of our best people

“Sunny and positive” The Yellow Hat • The yellow hat is optimistic and covers hope and positive thinking • Explores the benefits of an idea • Must give reasons why an idea is valuable or might work • Reinforces creative ideas and new directions • Takes more work than using the black hat!

Yellow Hat Questions • To spur on some yellow hat thinking, try asking the following questions: • What are the advantages? • What are the values in the idea? • Who might benefit from it? • How might the idea be made feasible? • Is the concept behind the idea good? • How might the idea be made more attractive? • Are there any potential values in the idea?

Typical Yellow Hat Statements • The following are some typical “yellow-hat” statements: • Optimal flexitime would be attractive to those with families or those that live far away • Using retired people offers the advantage of a more experienced work force • The new packaging would allow us get on more supermarket shelves • Failing that exam was the best thing that ever happened to Jim – he would never have been happy as a hairdresser

Exercise on Yellow and Black Hat • There is a lot of stealing going at school. Rewards are offered to anyone who can catch a thief. Is this a good idea? Do some yellow-hat thinking first and then some black-hat thinking on the idea.

“Grass, vegetation & abundant fertile growth” The Green Hat • The green hat indicates creativity and new ideas • Encourages a search for new ideas • Seeks to modify and remove faults from existing ideas • Makes time for creative effort - brainstorming

Typical Green Hat Statements • Typical “green-hat” statements include: • We could modify this idea by making it optional rather than compulsory • Maybe we could make the box a different colour • How about decreasing the volume by 10% while only reducing the price by 5%? • Some time could be used for training • How about making it circular instead • Why not manufacture hardware as well as software?

“Cool and the colourof the sky” The Blue Hat • The blue hat is concerned with control, the organisation of the thinking process and the use of other hats • Thinking about thinking, not the topic • The role of the facilitator • Makes calls for the group to make decisions • Prevents drift and waffle

Blue Hat Uses • During blue hat thinking we’ll decide: • Which of the hats will be used? • In what sequence will they be used? • How long will be spent on each? • Is each hat being used correctly? • So, we use it to lay out the thinking agenda • The blue hat is slightly different to the others as the facilitator keeps it “half-on” throughout an entire meeting

Typical Blue Hat Statements • Some typical “blue-hat” statements: • There is not much information on this topic, we need some white hat thinking • That is a black hat comment we are supposed to be doing yellow hat thinking at the moment • Are there any alternative approaches? It’s time for some green hat thinking • Let’s pause and recap on what’s been decided so far • Before going ahead with this idea it would be good to black hat it first for pitfalls

Exercise on Yellow and Black Hat • You are selling newspapers but you cannot get anyone to deliver them. Put on your green hat and make some suggestions. • There is an argument between parents and children on what time the kids should be home at night. Using blue hat thinking, how would you organize the argument?

Taken from Edward de Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats” The Six Thinking Hats Summary White is neutral and objective Red suggests anger, rage and emotions Black is sombre and serious Yellow is sunny and positive Green is grass, vegetation and abundant fertile growth Blue is cool and is the colour of the sky, which is above all else

Quick Exercise Retooling would take a minimum of three months Match the statements to the hats – invent context where appropriate She can speakFrench very well The cost of the plastic trayhas increased by 15% Most of the work on this projecthas already been done My intuition tells methat won’t work Are we ready to cometo a final decision? That secretarial agencyis very expensive

Single Use Of The Hats • The use of one hat specifically to request a certain type of thinking • Useful as a means to direct thinking • Examples: • Could you give me your black hat on that? • Everybody take do minutes and green hat the possibilities • I think you might not be happy, give me your red hat of the situation • I don’t think we’ll go ahead with this, but give me a quick yellow hat on it just to be sure

Systematic Use Of The Hats • The most common use of the six hats system is in meetings • The hats are particularly useful when: • Those in the meeting have strongly held differing views • When there is a rambling discussion not getting anywhere • When time is short and a subject needs to be examined carefully

Advantages Of The Hats • The following are the key advantages of using the six hat system: • Harnesses the full power of those present • Saves time • Removes ego • Focuses on one thing at a time – avoids confusion

Six Hat Sequences • There are three broad categories of sequences for using the hats: • Fixed sequences Note: Not every hat has to be used and hats can be used more than once if required

Six Hat Sequences (cont…) • Contingent and flexible sequences

Six Hat Sequences (cont…) ? ? ? ? • Evolving sequences • We need an experienced facilitator to make evolving sequences work well • However, they are useful for complicated matters that may require long, unpredictable discussion

Six Hat Sequences (cont…) • The following are a list of possible fixed sequences for different thinking scenarios: • Short sequences • First ideas • Evaluation (PMI) • Explanation • Long sequences • Problem solving • Creative effort • Decision

Six Hat Sequences: First Ideas Blue: Set the focus and define the subject White: Lay out what we know about the situation Green: Generate ideas

Six Hat Sequences: Evaluation (PMI) Yellow: Search for benefits and values Black: Identify difficulties and dangers Green: Generate ideas and alternatives

Six Hat Sequences: Explanation White: Gather information Green: Generate ideas and alternatives

Six Hat Sequences: Problem Solving Blue: Define the problem White: Look at all available information Green: Generate possible solutions Yellow: Check the feasibility of each solution Black: Assess the weaknesses of each solution White: Match between solutions and information Red: Choice of final solution

Six Hat Sequences: Creative Effort Blue: Clarify the creative need White: Look at all available information Green: Generate ideas Yellow: Find the benefits of the ideas Black: Identify the faults in the ideas Green: Remove faults Red: Decide how we feel about the idea Blue: Summarise the exploration

Six Hat Sequences: Decision Blue: Define what we need to decide Green: Generate and review alternatives White: Assess what is known about the situation Yellow: Assess fit of the alternatives Black: Assess lack of fit of the alternatives Red: Make a decision Black: Assess the decision Blue: Summarise and plan next steps

Some Notes About The Sequences • The sequences are guidelines, so don’t be afraid to try to roll-your-own • Don’t be afraid to use some of the other techniques we have spoken about in conjunction with the hats • Brain storming rules for green hat • Root cause analysis for white hat • Force field analysis for red hat after yellow and black hats • Drop in the blue/red hat periodically for a short period to make sure everything is okay

Using The Six Hats In Meetings • When using the hats to run a meeting keep the following in mind: • Set out short amounts of time for each hat • 1 minute per person present for each hat (up to ~5 minutes) • Much shorter for red hat (~30 seconds) • Don’t be afraid to extend/shorten timings • Always use the designated hat • Encourage everybody to get involved under each hat • Don’t let people sit there waiting for the black hat to come along!

Using The Six Hats In Meetings (cont…) • Hats are directions, not descriptions • The facilitator always keeps the blue hat on • Prompt people to get involved – not for white hat • Stop people from talking outside the hats • Conflicts should not arise during six hat meetings, if they do use the hats to put both sides on the table • Copious note should be taken • Maybe a page for each hat • Ask people to perform some white hat thinking before the session

Six Hats Summary • The six hats is a technique which can be used to guide thinking • It’s particular advantages are: • Harnesses the full power of those present • Saves time • Removes ego • Focuses on one thing at a time – avoids confusion • Particularly useful for meetings

The Six Thinking Hats