Six Thinking Hats
Created by Edward de Bono, this framework directs the group to wear six metaphorical 'thinking hats', each representing a different mode of thinking. White = facts and data; Red = emotions and gut feeling; Black = critical judgment; Yellow = optimism and value; Green = creativity and alternatives; Blue = process and meta-thinking. By separating thinking modes, the group explores ideas more fully and avoids premature criticism.
How to run it
- 1
Explain the six hat colours and their meanings.
- 2
The Blue Hat (facilitator) sets the agenda — which hats to use and in what order.
- 3
Typical sequence for evaluating an idea: White (what do we know?) → Yellow (what's good about this?) → Black (what could go wrong?) → Green (how might we improve it?) → Red (how does it feel?) → Blue (what's our conclusion?).
- 4
The whole group wears the same hat at the same time. Diverging to your own hat is not allowed.
- 5
Spend 5–10 minutes per hat.
- 6
After all hats: the Blue Hat summarises and draws conclusions.
Tips
The Black Hat is the most natural for most people — so always follow it with the Green Hat (creative responses to criticism).
Don't let the Red Hat devolve into a debate; it's for gut feelings only, not arguments.
Variations
Use individual hats for one-on-one coaching. Run a 'mini hat' version with just 3 hats for quick decisions: White → Black → Green. Adapt the duration of discussions based on group size or familiarity with the method. You can introduce more hats if needed for specialized discussions.
Where it fits
Related methods
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Six Thinking Hats?▾
Use Six Thinking Hats when you want to: Evaluating proposals; Strategic planning; Creative problem solving; Conflict de-escalation; brainstorming session; project planning; change management discussion; strategy meeting; problem-solving workshop.
How long does Six Thinking Hats take?▾
Six Thinking Hats typically takes 45–90 minutes.
How many participants does Six Thinking Hats work for?▾
Six Thinking Hats works best for groups of 2–20 participants.
What materials do I need for Six Thinking Hats?▾
To run Six Thinking Hats you will need: six coloured hat labels or cards (white, red, black, yellow, green, blue).
How difficult is Six Thinking Hats to facilitate?▾
Six Thinking Hats is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.
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