Six colourful hats
The Six-Coloured (Thinking) Hats is an exciting method combining creativity and critical and analytical thinking.
Brainstorming may not always be the best method for team thinking about a problem or topic, mainly because it generates a lot of ideas without a structure, context or analytical perspective crucial for sound decision-making. The method is more practical and comprehensive in this respect. If used in a school setting, it can help with presentation skills, complex thinking, or empathy.
The method comes from Edward de Bono, who was interested in a complex structure of thinking . It is based on the idea that each hat represents a specific view of the problem - one is negative, another works with emotions, and another with facts. In the course of the discussion, one can thus become aware of the breadth and the complexity of the problem so as to better understand it and propose an adequate solution.
The ats used can be both imaginary or real. At the very least use some colour differentiation, for example, using a card of the appropriate colour with a short description of the "hat", is highly recommended. The method can be used as a one-off or standard way of solving dilemmas or specific topics. The method leads to developing analytical and creative thinking, offering distance and a more complex focus on the problem. The main point it can help with is the removal of a certain one-sidedness or triviality in thinking.
In terms of , the are hats :
The first hat is white and is focused on information only. It must be prepared so all actors know what facts are being worked with. These are, after all, the starting point for everything else. Nothing is evaluated at this stage. Only the exact information is stated.
The fourth hat is yellow and is precisely the opposite - positive. It is looking for strengths, challenges, positives, and conformity. The aim is, therefore, to suggest the most significant possible sum of positives but already consider the rational point of view.
The second hat is red and focuses on emotions. Participants say their feelings but do not justify them in any way. Here, it is essential that the group is confident and has a relaxed atmosphere.
Green is focused on creativity, looking for new ideas, challenges, visions or opportunities. Thinking should be as creative and divergent as possible. Often, the craziest ideas are the most ingenious.
Black is the colour of negative, critical thinking. At this stage, mistakes, contradictions, disadvantages, and problems are pointed out. The discussion should not be on a personal level, but the aim is to be rational.
The last hat is blue. This hat thinks about the whole problem globally, but can also evaluate the discussion that has taken place, look at the problem from a distance, and figure out how to move forward.
There are two ways to work with hats:
- You form a team of six people (there is also a three-person team option where everyone has two hats) and set a time for discussion. This way, everyone has their point of view with which to comment on the topic.
- You all wear the same hat at one point and take turns at regular intervals. It is good to mix up the order. The time can be set variably, depending on the topic, nd the structure and size of the group.
In both cases, the discussion must be recorded and evaluated, which can be a task mainly for a blue hat or impartial referee. It is imperative that the meeting is on topic and not personal rants, which is often the most straightforward thing one can think of.
