1. www.trainerbubble.com The Six Thinking Hats (Edward de Bono)

2. www.trainerbubble.com ‘Six thinking hats’ is a method of thinking devised by Edward de Bono The method works well in groups by helping them shift form their conventional way of thinking The approach is collaborative rather than adversarial Six hats is a metaphor that helps us to make sense of our thinking Each hat represents a particular way of thinking The concept is that we wear only one hat at any time in the thinking or discussion process Six thinking Hats by Edward de Bono, Penguin Books, 1985

3. www.trainerbubble.com White hat Information and Data Facts and figures only – no interpretations offered Neutral and objective What information is available? What information would we like to have? How are we going to get the missing information?

4. www.trainerbubble.com Red Hat How do I feel? Legitimises feelings and allows thinkers to express them What are me feelings and emotions right now? What does my intuition tell me? What is my gut reaction? Justification of feelings and emotions not sought

5. www.trainerbubble.com Black Hat Issues and Concerns Concerned with negative and pessimistic assessment Logical and objective approach called for (emotions and feelings should be confined to the red hat) What could be the possible problems? What could some of the difficulties be? What are points of caution? What are the risks?

6. www.trainerbubble.com Yellow Hat Values and Benefits Positive and constructive Logical and objective approach called for (emotions and feelings should be confined to the red hat) What are the values of this idea? What are the good things about this? Action thinking

7. www.trainerbubble.com Green Hat Creativity Looks for new ways of approaching and doing things Aims beyond the known and the obvious and the merely acceptable Are there other ways to do this? What else could we do here? What are the possibilities? What will overcome our difficulties?

8. www.trainerbubble.com Blue Hat Thinking about thinking Provides structure and orchestrates our thinking What is our agenda? What is our next step? Which hat are we using now? Which hat should we be using now? How can we summarise the discussions so far? What is our decision?