Developed by Edward de Bono (Six Thinking Hats, 1985).
A group thinks in one mode at a time (facts, feelings, risks, benefits, new ideas, and process), each marked by a colored hat, so argument gives way to parallel thinking.
When to reach for it
When meetings turn into contests between critics and advocates, or a session needs both new ideas and hard scrutiny.
How it runs
- Frame the question.
- Choose the order of hats for the session.
- Have everyone think in one hat's mode for a set time.
- Record what each round produces.
- Close with the blue hat to sum up and set next steps.
Where it sits in SOLVE eX
Go to the source
- Six Thinking Hats, Little, Brown, 1985