1. A Six Thinking Hats Exercise
Problem Solving
A Six Thinking Hats Exercise

2. Six Thinking Hats
“Six thinking hats is a tool that can help us look at problems from different perspectives one at a time to avoid confusion from too many angles crowding your thinking.” Source: Edward de Bono
Focus - Everyone explores the situation from each perspective or hat at the same time. The sequence of hats can change - but everyone must change direction at the same time
Each hat represents a different perspective
Provides a common language and process

3. Six Thinking Hats: A Review
The White Hat
“Just the Facts”
The Red Hat
Feelings and Intuition
The Yellow Hat
Optimism: Probe for Benefits
The Green Hat
Creativity
The Black Hat
Judgement and Caution
The Blue Hat
Process

4. Six Thinking Hats
Depending on your problem, hats can be used in many sequences and not all hats are necessary.
Examples:
Initial ideas - Blue, White, Green, Blue
Quick feedback - Blue, Black, Green, Blue
Solving problems - Blue, White, Green, Red, Yellow, Black, Green, Blue
Identifying solutions - Blue, White, Green, Blue

5. Problem Solving Sequence
Blue Hat: Process
Red Hat:
Feelings
White Hat:
Facts
Yellow Hat: Benefits
Green Hat:
Creativity
Black Hat:
Judgement
Blue Hat:
Process

6. Tools Needed Materials Needed Use Sharpie Markers (Easier to Read)
3” x 3” Post-It Notes
Easel Pad (large 24”x30” Post-it Notes)

7. Preparation
Prior to meeting, identify an issue or problem to solve with the group
For each hat that you are using prepare individual easel pads with a hat & category name at the top. For example: Red (Emotions), White (Facts), Yellow (Benefits), Green (Creativity), Black (Judgement)
Hang easel pad papers on wall in your order of operation
White hat - may take the longest. Send questions to team before meeting allowing team members to come prepared with needed data

8. Example to organize Post-it Notes

9. Directions For each hat (1 at a time):
Two (2) minutes of individual brainstorming (more ideas the better)
Team focuses on answering one hat at a time
Write one (1) idea per Post-It note - be specific
For example: “More phone training”, instead of “training”
Use only 6-7 words per Post-It note

10. Directions After 2 minutes:
Each team member presents their Post-It Notes - 5 minutes for entire team
Team member puts Post-it Note on the Easel Paper for current hat
Group similar ideas together in each hat
Continue in this fashion until you move through all of the hats

11. Example to organize Post-it Notes

12. Agenda Blue Hat: Process Manage the process
Make sure the hats are followed
Why are we here?
Why are we talking about it?
What is the goal or intent of the meeting?
Agenda
Blue Hat: Process

13. Red Hat: Feelings and Intuition
Emotions are identified without explanation or justification
Say things that they don’t have to validate
Express true feelings
What do I like about the it?
What don’t I like about it?
How do you feel about the current situation, issue, or problem?
Feelings
Red Hat: Feelings and Intuition

14. White Hat: Just the Facts
What has led up to this?
What is the current information about the issue or problem?
What are the facts / figures?
What information do we still need?
Try to answer all the above questions.
Nothing But the Facts
White Hat: Just the Facts

15. Optimism: Probe for Benefits
Explore the positives and probe for value and benefits
Opposite of the black hat
Look for positives
Q1: What is the best case scenario?
What are the Benefits?
Optimism: Probe for Benefits

16. Green Hat: Find Potential Solutions
How can we improve the current situation/ problem?
Focus on creativity, possibilities, alternatives and new ideas. The more the better!
Generate more ideas
Provoke new ideas
What are new creative ideas or alternatives to solve the issue or problem?
Creativity
Green Hat: Find Potential Solutions

17. Optimism: Probe for Benefits
Explore the positives and probe for value and benefits
Identify the top solutions
Cloud group / dot vote
Q1: What are the top solutions?
What are the Benefits?
Optimism: Probe for Benefits

18. Black Hat: Judgement and Caution
What are the risks, potential problems, obstacles, downsides and weaknesses.
Why might it not work? Is it safe?
What could be changed?
Can we afford it?
Will clients like this?
What are the risks or potential problems with each of the top solutions?
Caution!
Black Hat: Judgement and Caution

19. Green Hat: Find Potential Solutions
How can we improve the current situation/ problem?
Focus on creativity, possibilities, alternatives and new ideas. The more the better!
How can we solve our challenges that were identified in the black hat?
Creativity
Green Hat: Find Potential Solutions
This can become an iterative process.

20. Conclusion Blue Hat: Process What have we achieved?
What are the next steps or action items?
Do we need to meet again?
Conclusion
Blue Hat: Process