SlideShare ist ein Scribd-Unternehmen logo
1 von 28
6 Thinking Hats
A tool for collaborative decision
making
Deepak T Gururaja
Agile Coach
Lets go back in Time
And see how challenges were handled,
and how decisions were being made
Tens of thousands of years ago
Problems – Mostly Survival
P
R
O
B
L
E
M
Solution
Solution
How do you choose
the best solution to
the problem
???
Simple – Fight it out
Of course…. Over the course of time
 We evolved as a civilization and started developing cultures
 Then came the era of Rulers/Imperialism/Colonialism etc……
Problems and How were they solved
Problem
By Means of arguing
Argue over the benefits of
one’s own idea, bring out
the flaws in another
person’s idea
So….
 Each person would talk about how best their idea is, and
how bad the other person’s idea is
 Acceptance of an idea would purely depend on weather of
not the individual could present it flawlessly
 One party would talk about the merits of the idea, and
another party would talk about the demerits of the idea
Even today, this seems to be the preferred way of arriving at
the best solution to a given problem, or, to get mutual
agreement among people
Today….
 Most problems that we encounter today in out
professional lives are
 mostly intellectual
 Those which need collaboration
 Arguing over multiple solutions might not be the best
option
Argument v/s Parallel Thinking
 While in Argument
 The focus is on “What Is”
 Each person talks out of their own silo
 Each person sees from his own direction, not from any other direction
 While In Parallel Thinking
 The focus is on “What Can Be”
 Design the best way forward – together
 The Idea is put on the table and everyone looks at it in the same direction
Argument
Idea
Parallel Thinking
Idea
6 Blind men and the elephant
Well, In the world of parallel thinking
 All 6 men would take a walk around the elephant
 Feel the elephant from each side
 Discuss what they think
 Constructively agree on what could be the best fit
Edward de Bono
 Physician, Psychologist and Author
 Originated the term “Lateral Thinking”
 Came up with the Idea of “Six thinking Hats” for Parallel Thinking
6 Thinking Hats
 There are 6 coloured hats
 The group wears a same coloured hat at a time while considering a problem
 Colour of the hat is metaphorical for a way of thinking
 Each colour brings out a different perspective
 Note
 Different Colours bring out different perspectives of the idea
 All the people looking at the idea, look at it from one direction, for example, the
entire group, together, discuss on the benefits of the idea, then, move on to
discuss the pitfalls of the idea, and, so on…
 All this is done as a group
Now lets look at the hats and
the direction these hats point
towards
White Hat
 Neutral and Objective
 Facts and Figures
 Thinking Directions
 What Information do we have?
 What Information do we need?
 What Information is Missing?
 Do we have Enough Information to make a decision?
Red Hat
 Red as a colour suggests anger, rage
 Red is a sign of emotion and takes on the emotional direction of an idea
 Some of the directional questions for a Red hat
 My “Gut” feeling tells me that this is risky
 I “Feel” that the targets are aggressive
 Bring out the range of feelings – “Like” “Hate” “Unhappy” “Mixed” “Doubtful”
Black Hat
 Black is Serious
 This is where we exercise caution, try to be careful
 What are the weak links of an idea
 Some directional thoughts for Black Hats
 Why this might not work
 What are the pitfalls
 What should we be careful about
 What would be the difficulties in implementing this idea
Yellow Hat
 Sunny Side Up
 Brings out the positives of an idea
 Talks about hope
 Has an optimistic outlook
 Some Suggestive directions
 What are the possibilities
 What are the benefits
 Some the great things that could come out of this idea
 How can we “Make things Happen”
Green Hat
 Green as a colour represents abundance, fertility and growth
 Look at creativity
 Come up with new ideas
 Some Directives
 New and New ideas
 Alternative ideas
 Changes that will bring in benefits
 New approaches to problem solving
Blue Hat
 The colour of the Sky, which is above everything else
 It is concerned with structure and organizing
 Controls the other hats and the thinking process
 Could also be the hat worn by the facilitator
 Some Directions
 What would be the best order of hats, in order for us to achieve best results
 Thinking about thinking
 Instructions
 Summarizing
So, how does this work
 As a group, pick up a problem to be solved, or a solution to be analysed
 Wear the hats one at a time – speak your thoughts in the direction, as
indicated by the colour of the hat
 Bingo… You have consensus even before you know it
 It is not necessary to use all 6 hats, you can chose to use only the relevant
hats
But… How about the order of the hats
 It depends of the situation at hand
 The order differs if you would like to solve a problem v/s analyse the
feasibility of the solution
 The order could be pre-determined, or agreed upon, at the start of the
discussion – Do remember to wear a blue hat at this point
 It might be a good idea to start with a Blue Hat (Summary of the situation at
hand + set the context) then move to Red Hat (To understand how people feel
about the situation) then move on to other hats
 Its suggested to end with a Blue Hat
 You could switch hats multiple times, but, stick to the rules of the game
Some obvious benefits
 Of course, collaborative thinking
 Its easier to ask someone to “take off the black hat” than to “stop being
negative”
 Here, thinking is not used to put down idea or people, people are equally
compelled to wear a Yellow Hat
 Thinking will go beyond being “Personal thoughts”
 “Confusion is the biggest enemy of good thinking” Here, all thoughts are
channelized
The Book
So, what hat do you want to wear today?

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Was ist angesagt?

6 thinking hats in change management #1
6 thinking hats in change management #1 6 thinking hats in change management #1
6 thinking hats in change management #1 Timothy Wooi
 
Analysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solving
Analysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solvingAnalysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solving
Analysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solvingSudeb Das
 
Six Thinking Hats For Workplace Effectiveness
Six Thinking Hats For Workplace EffectivenessSix Thinking Hats For Workplace Effectiveness
Six Thinking Hats For Workplace Effectivenessanacotrim
 
Six thinking hats
Six thinking hatsSix thinking hats
Six thinking hatsVinod Mehra
 
Six thinking hats
Six thinking hatsSix thinking hats
Six thinking hatsDMR Panda
 
Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsSix Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsJegan Sekar
 
Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsSix Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hatsbkoch
 
Six Thinking hats
Six Thinking hats Six Thinking hats
Six Thinking hats parags06
 
Six thinking hats by Edward De Bono
Six thinking hats by Edward De BonoSix thinking hats by Edward De Bono
Six thinking hats by Edward De BonoGrace Joy Santos
 
Six Thinking Hats Overview
Six Thinking Hats OverviewSix Thinking Hats Overview
Six Thinking Hats OverviewBarbara Stennes
 
Six Thinking Hats Siddhesh
Six Thinking Hats SiddheshSix Thinking Hats Siddhesh
Six Thinking Hats SiddheshSiddhesh Bhobe
 
Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking HatsDr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking HatsPia Lobido
 
Six thinking hats brainstorming technique training
Six thinking hats brainstorming technique trainingSix thinking hats brainstorming technique training
Six thinking hats brainstorming technique trainingTravis Eck
 
Six thinking hat
Six thinking hatSix thinking hat
Six thinking hatDeepak Soni
 
6 thinking hats for retrospectives
6 thinking hats for retrospectives6 thinking hats for retrospectives
6 thinking hats for retrospectivesRafael Rosa
 

Was ist angesagt? (20)

6 thinking hats in change management #1
6 thinking hats in change management #1 6 thinking hats in change management #1
6 thinking hats in change management #1
 
Analysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solving
Analysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solvingAnalysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solving
Analysis of-6-hat-thinking-for-problem-solving
 
Six Thinking Hats For Workplace Effectiveness
Six Thinking Hats For Workplace EffectivenessSix Thinking Hats For Workplace Effectiveness
Six Thinking Hats For Workplace Effectiveness
 
Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsSix Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats
 
Six thinking hats
Six thinking hatsSix thinking hats
Six thinking hats
 
Thinking hat
Thinking hatThinking hat
Thinking hat
 
Six thinking hats
Six thinking hatsSix thinking hats
Six thinking hats
 
Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsSix Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats
 
Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsSix Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats
 
Six Thinking hats
Six Thinking hats Six Thinking hats
Six Thinking hats
 
Six thinking hats by Edward De Bono
Six thinking hats by Edward De BonoSix thinking hats by Edward De Bono
Six thinking hats by Edward De Bono
 
Six Thinking Hats Overview
Six Thinking Hats OverviewSix Thinking Hats Overview
Six Thinking Hats Overview
 
Six Thinking Hats Siddhesh
Six Thinking Hats SiddheshSix Thinking Hats Siddhesh
Six Thinking Hats Siddhesh
 
The Six Thinking Hats
The Six Thinking HatsThe Six Thinking Hats
The Six Thinking Hats
 
Six Thinking Hat
Six Thinking HatSix Thinking Hat
Six Thinking Hat
 
Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking HatsDr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
 
Six thinking hats brainstorming technique training
Six thinking hats brainstorming technique trainingSix thinking hats brainstorming technique training
Six thinking hats brainstorming technique training
 
Six thinking hat
Six thinking hatSix thinking hat
Six thinking hat
 
6 Thinking Hats
6 Thinking Hats6 Thinking Hats
6 Thinking Hats
 
6 thinking hats for retrospectives
6 thinking hats for retrospectives6 thinking hats for retrospectives
6 thinking hats for retrospectives
 

Ähnlich wie 6 thinkinghats

Ähnlich wie 6 thinkinghats (20)

6 thinking hats
6 thinking hats6 thinking hats
6 thinking hats
 
6 thinking hats revised s12
6 thinking hats revised s126 thinking hats revised s12
6 thinking hats revised s12
 
Six hats of thinking
Six hats of thinking Six hats of thinking
Six hats of thinking
 
Thinking Dr. Refaat Bushra
Thinking Dr. Refaat BushraThinking Dr. Refaat Bushra
Thinking Dr. Refaat Bushra
 
Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
Six Thinking Hats by Edward de BonoSix Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
 
1. critical thinking
1. critical thinking1. critical thinking
1. critical thinking
 
Six_Thinking_Hats.pdf
Six_Thinking_Hats.pdfSix_Thinking_Hats.pdf
Six_Thinking_Hats.pdf
 
6 Thinking Hats
6 Thinking Hats6 Thinking Hats
6 Thinking Hats
 
Lateral thinking
Lateral thinkingLateral thinking
Lateral thinking
 
Art of decision Making
Art of decision MakingArt of decision Making
Art of decision Making
 
6 thinking hats
6 thinking hats6 thinking hats
6 thinking hats
 
Filoloska edward de bono 6 hats
Filoloska   edward de bono 6 hatsFiloloska   edward de bono 6 hats
Filoloska edward de bono 6 hats
 
Week 5 presentation
Week 5 presentationWeek 5 presentation
Week 5 presentation
 
six-thinking-hats Final.pptx
six-thinking-hats Final.pptxsix-thinking-hats Final.pptx
six-thinking-hats Final.pptx
 
Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking HatsSix Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats
 
6 thinking hats
6 thinking hats6 thinking hats
6 thinking hats
 
6-thinking-hats4659.ppt
6-thinking-hats4659.ppt6-thinking-hats4659.ppt
6-thinking-hats4659.ppt
 
6-thinking-hats4659.ppt
6-thinking-hats4659.ppt6-thinking-hats4659.ppt
6-thinking-hats4659.ppt
 
6 thinking-hats4659
6 thinking-hats46596 thinking-hats4659
6 thinking-hats4659
 
Six thinking hats edward de bano
Six thinking hats edward de banoSix thinking hats edward de bano
Six thinking hats edward de bano
 

Mehr von Deepak Gururaja

Mehr von Deepak Gururaja (10)

Have we crossed the chasm
Have we crossed the chasmHave we crossed the chasm
Have we crossed the chasm
 
5 Simple tools for effective retrospectives
5 Simple tools for effective retrospectives5 Simple tools for effective retrospectives
5 Simple tools for effective retrospectives
 
Test first
Test firstTest first
Test first
 
Scaling agile using SOS
Scaling agile using SOSScaling agile using SOS
Scaling agile using SOS
 
Sprint planninng
Sprint planninngSprint planninng
Sprint planninng
 
Scrum roles
Scrum rolesScrum roles
Scrum roles
 
Daily standup
Daily standupDaily standup
Daily standup
 
Agile retrospectives
Agile retrospectivesAgile retrospectives
Agile retrospectives
 
Agile metrices
Agile metricesAgile metrices
Agile metrices
 
Agile estimation
Agile estimationAgile estimation
Agile estimation
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Unit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptx
Unit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptxUnit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptx
Unit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptxVishalSingh1417
 
The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13
The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13
The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13Steve Thomason
 
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactBeyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactPECB
 
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdfQucHHunhnh
 
Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3
Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3
Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3JemimahLaneBuaron
 
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdfWeb & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdfJayanti Pande
 
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...EduSkills OECD
 
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communicationInteractive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communicationnomboosow
 
Disha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdf
Disha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdfDisha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdf
Disha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdfchloefrazer622
 
Class 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdf
Class 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdfClass 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdf
Class 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdfAyushMahapatra5
 
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy ReformA Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy ReformChameera Dedduwage
 
Student login on Anyboli platform.helpin
Student login on Anyboli platform.helpinStudent login on Anyboli platform.helpin
Student login on Anyboli platform.helpinRaunakKeshri1
 
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SDMeasures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SDThiyagu K
 
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111Sapana Sha
 
Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...
Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...
Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...fonyou31
 
social pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajan
social pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajansocial pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajan
social pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajanpragatimahajan3
 
Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...
Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...
Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...Krashi Coaching
 
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeMeasures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeThiyagu K
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

Unit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptx
Unit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptxUnit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptx
Unit-IV- Pharma. Marketing Channels.pptx
 
The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13
The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13
The Most Excellent Way | 1 Corinthians 13
 
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactBeyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
 
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
 
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"
 
Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3
Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3
Q4-W6-Restating Informational Text Grade 3
 
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdfWeb & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
 
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
 
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communicationInteractive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
 
Disha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdf
Disha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdfDisha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdf
Disha NEET Physics Guide for classes 11 and 12.pdf
 
Class 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdf
Class 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdfClass 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdf
Class 11th Physics NEET formula sheet pdf
 
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy ReformA Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
 
Student login on Anyboli platform.helpin
Student login on Anyboli platform.helpinStudent login on Anyboli platform.helpin
Student login on Anyboli platform.helpin
 
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SDMeasures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
 
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
 
Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...
Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...
Ecosystem Interactions Class Discussion Presentation in Blue Green Lined Styl...
 
social pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajan
social pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajansocial pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajan
social pharmacy d-pharm 1st year by Pragati K. Mahajan
 
Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...
Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...
Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...
 
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeMeasures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
 
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
 

6 thinkinghats

  • 1. 6 Thinking Hats A tool for collaborative decision making Deepak T Gururaja Agile Coach
  • 2. Lets go back in Time And see how challenges were handled, and how decisions were being made
  • 3. Tens of thousands of years ago Problems – Mostly Survival P R O B L E M Solution Solution How do you choose the best solution to the problem ???
  • 5. Of course…. Over the course of time  We evolved as a civilization and started developing cultures  Then came the era of Rulers/Imperialism/Colonialism etc……
  • 6. Problems and How were they solved Problem
  • 7. By Means of arguing Argue over the benefits of one’s own idea, bring out the flaws in another person’s idea
  • 8. So….  Each person would talk about how best their idea is, and how bad the other person’s idea is  Acceptance of an idea would purely depend on weather of not the individual could present it flawlessly  One party would talk about the merits of the idea, and another party would talk about the demerits of the idea Even today, this seems to be the preferred way of arriving at the best solution to a given problem, or, to get mutual agreement among people
  • 9. Today….  Most problems that we encounter today in out professional lives are  mostly intellectual  Those which need collaboration  Arguing over multiple solutions might not be the best option
  • 10. Argument v/s Parallel Thinking  While in Argument  The focus is on “What Is”  Each person talks out of their own silo  Each person sees from his own direction, not from any other direction  While In Parallel Thinking  The focus is on “What Can Be”  Design the best way forward – together  The Idea is put on the table and everyone looks at it in the same direction
  • 13. 6 Blind men and the elephant
  • 14. Well, In the world of parallel thinking  All 6 men would take a walk around the elephant  Feel the elephant from each side  Discuss what they think  Constructively agree on what could be the best fit
  • 15. Edward de Bono  Physician, Psychologist and Author  Originated the term “Lateral Thinking”  Came up with the Idea of “Six thinking Hats” for Parallel Thinking
  • 16. 6 Thinking Hats  There are 6 coloured hats  The group wears a same coloured hat at a time while considering a problem  Colour of the hat is metaphorical for a way of thinking  Each colour brings out a different perspective  Note  Different Colours bring out different perspectives of the idea  All the people looking at the idea, look at it from one direction, for example, the entire group, together, discuss on the benefits of the idea, then, move on to discuss the pitfalls of the idea, and, so on…  All this is done as a group
  • 17. Now lets look at the hats and the direction these hats point towards
  • 18. White Hat  Neutral and Objective  Facts and Figures  Thinking Directions  What Information do we have?  What Information do we need?  What Information is Missing?  Do we have Enough Information to make a decision?
  • 19. Red Hat  Red as a colour suggests anger, rage  Red is a sign of emotion and takes on the emotional direction of an idea  Some of the directional questions for a Red hat  My “Gut” feeling tells me that this is risky  I “Feel” that the targets are aggressive  Bring out the range of feelings – “Like” “Hate” “Unhappy” “Mixed” “Doubtful”
  • 20. Black Hat  Black is Serious  This is where we exercise caution, try to be careful  What are the weak links of an idea  Some directional thoughts for Black Hats  Why this might not work  What are the pitfalls  What should we be careful about  What would be the difficulties in implementing this idea
  • 21. Yellow Hat  Sunny Side Up  Brings out the positives of an idea  Talks about hope  Has an optimistic outlook  Some Suggestive directions  What are the possibilities  What are the benefits  Some the great things that could come out of this idea  How can we “Make things Happen”
  • 22. Green Hat  Green as a colour represents abundance, fertility and growth  Look at creativity  Come up with new ideas  Some Directives  New and New ideas  Alternative ideas  Changes that will bring in benefits  New approaches to problem solving
  • 23. Blue Hat  The colour of the Sky, which is above everything else  It is concerned with structure and organizing  Controls the other hats and the thinking process  Could also be the hat worn by the facilitator  Some Directions  What would be the best order of hats, in order for us to achieve best results  Thinking about thinking  Instructions  Summarizing
  • 24. So, how does this work  As a group, pick up a problem to be solved, or a solution to be analysed  Wear the hats one at a time – speak your thoughts in the direction, as indicated by the colour of the hat  Bingo… You have consensus even before you know it  It is not necessary to use all 6 hats, you can chose to use only the relevant hats
  • 25. But… How about the order of the hats  It depends of the situation at hand  The order differs if you would like to solve a problem v/s analyse the feasibility of the solution  The order could be pre-determined, or agreed upon, at the start of the discussion – Do remember to wear a blue hat at this point  It might be a good idea to start with a Blue Hat (Summary of the situation at hand + set the context) then move to Red Hat (To understand how people feel about the situation) then move on to other hats  Its suggested to end with a Blue Hat  You could switch hats multiple times, but, stick to the rules of the game
  • 26. Some obvious benefits  Of course, collaborative thinking  Its easier to ask someone to “take off the black hat” than to “stop being negative”  Here, thinking is not used to put down idea or people, people are equally compelled to wear a Yellow Hat  Thinking will go beyond being “Personal thoughts”  “Confusion is the biggest enemy of good thinking” Here, all thoughts are channelized
  • 28. So, what hat do you want to wear today?