What is the Six Thinking Hats technique?

The technique of the Six Thinking Hats, or the technique of the six thinking hats, is a tool for creating creative content by breaking away from traditional mental barriers.

Eward de Bono, the famous Maltese writer who authored the eponymous book in 1985, gave birth to this extremely useful technique during the creative phase.

The Six Thinking Hats is a creative problem-solving methodology that we have already discussed when talking about concept. It is based on the application of parallel or lateral thinking, theorized by de Bono himself.

Lateral thinking and creative process: how does the Six Thinking Hats technique work

Lateral or parallel thinking refers to the technique by which one expands the concept under analysis by breaking down barriers and preconceptions, thus finding different points of view to better understand how to describe the content.

The Six Thinking Hats technique is a practical application of this concept.

There are therefore six hats that represent the different approaches to a thought or an idea, and each of them will be represented with a color that represents a certain field of analysis:

• The white hat (white hat) is rationality, analytical thinking. The concept just as it is.
• The yellow hat (yellow) is the positive and bright scope of the concept. Here we analyze the positive aspects, benefits, and values that come with that concept.
• The black hat (black hat) represents judgment. The negative values, the aspects that make this concept wrong or dangerous. This hat is essential because, very often, these sides of the concept are not taken into analysis.

The red hat (red hat) is the hat of feeling and emotions. What do you feel when you talk about that concept? All emotions, whether positive or negative, reside here.

The green hat (green hat) is creativity. Possible applications, alternatives to classic uses, this is the space for new ideas.

The blue hat (blue hat) is the final hat which ensures the functioning of the entire technique.

Benefits and Applications of the Six Thinking Hats

As mentioned, the benefits of this technique are numerous:

• It increases and broadens the vision of the creative process;
• It encourages reflection on details and viewpoints that are difficult to see in any other way;
• It increases concentration and creates focus on the subject;

Not only that, but the Six Hats technique can be applied in many contexts such as a business meeting:

• The problem is analyzed (white hat).
• Innovative ideas are developed (green hat).
• The positive and negative aspects are listed (black and yellow hats).
• Emotional alternatives are evaluated (red hat).
• Conclusions are drawn (blue hat).

Six Thinking Hats and Brainstorming: Two Approaches to Achieve the Same Result

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