6 Thinking Hats

Let’s keep it in perspective

When you are trying to think through alternative solutions or pathways forward, it is important to be able to look at issues from different perspectives. Six Thinking Hats (published in 1985) is one brainstorming technique available for your team and you when riddling through options.

The concept, developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, involves challenging yourself to deliberately consider six different perspectives. Colored hats are used as metaphors for the different perspectives which you can symbolically switch between or physically if you want to add some fun and flare.

Dr. de Bono envisioned the following six hats:

• - Blue: “The Big Picture” and Managing


• - White: Facts and Information


• - Red: Feelings and Emotions


• - Black: Negative


• - Yellow: Positive


• - Green: New Ideas

You can stick with Dr. de Bono’s six colors and attributes, or you can be creative and develop your own. The objective is to put on each hat, one at a time, and thoughtfully consider all aspects of that role’s perspective on the problem you are trying to solve. By looking at an issue from various angles, you can better identify and explore the pros/cons of competing priorities, root causes, alternative solutions, etc. With a deeper appreciation for your colleagues’ viewpoints, your team is better able to coalesce on a common purpose and a way forward that meets the agreed upon goals.

Examples of alternative hats include considering the perspectives of:

• * Different stakeholders, internal and external.


• * A subset of stakeholders, for example the organizations or teams impacted by a proposed reorganization.


• * Partners.


• * Competitors.


• * Different project drivers: cost, schedule, performance, innovation, compliance, security, brand, etc.

The combinations and possibilities are endless.

Where do you need to open your mind’s aperture and consider other thinking hats?

“If you can stay positive in a negative situation, you win.” - Anonymous