Six Hats or Parallel Thinking 
        ATT  D­SPTO€
        What are the Six Thinking Hats?  
        Developed by Edward de Bono, Six Hats is a method that provides direction for group thinking and decision-
        making by building off the common notion of “putting on your thinking cap” de Bono has developed six different 
        “hats” that each focus on thinking in one particular direction feelings, udgment, creativity, process, optimism, and 
        facts   
        Activity Objective  
        ­o improve group discussion and decision-making by getting your group thinking in parallel with one another and 
        sharing the same framing lens, as an alternative to a discussion based on €uick feedback and opposition
        Participants  
        ‚an be done with any siƒe group  
        Duration 
        „pproximately …† minutes
        Worksheet  
        ‡lease find the attached „ctivity ‰orksheet for descriptions of the Six ­hinking Hats 
        Facilitator 
        „ facilitator is recommended to lead the exercise and keep time 
        Activity
           Step 1: ‰ith the group, the facilitator identifies a topic for discussion
           Step 2: ­he facilitator passes out a worksheet with descriptions of the Six Hats to each group member  
           Step 3: ‰ith the group, the facilitator determines an order to use the hats de Bono recommends that you pair 
           complementary hats, such as ‰hiteŠ‹ed, ŒellowŠBlack, ŽreenŠBlue, and that you determine the full order of 
           the hats you’ll “try on” before you start your discussion ’t’s often useful to begin and end with Blue Hats can be 
           repeated 
           Step 4: ‰ith the group, the facilitator determines a time limit for each hat ­imes can vary from “ minutes to ”• 
           minutes or longer per hat ­he ‹ed Hat feelings  is typically shorter because it’s about gut response ­he Žreen 
           Hat creativity  might be longer because it about possibilities, alternatives, and new ideas  
           Step 5: ­he facilitator then leads the group through each hat, reminding the group of each hat’s focus and keep-
           ing time ­he facilitator may need to remind participants to contain their responses to the parameters of the hat  
        eflection 
        How was the discussion you had using the Six Hats different for your typical discussions– 
        How might it help you discuss difficult topics or make decisions–
                                                        „dapted from Edward de Bono’s Six ­hinking Hats
      Six Hats or Parallel Thinking 
      O‚­ Sƒ„„A­S
                   The White Hat calls for information known or needed. “The facts, st the 
                   facts.”
                   The ellow Hat smoli es ri­htness and optimism. €nder this hat o 
                   e‚plore the positiƒes and proe for ƒale and enefit.
                   The …lack Hat is d­ment †† the deƒil’s adƒocate, or wh somethin­ ma 
                   not work. Spot the difficlties and dan­ers‰ where thin­s mi­ht ­o wron­. 
                   Šroal the most powerfl and sefl of the Hats, t a prolem if oƒer†
                   sed. 
                   The ‹ed Hat si­nifies feelin­s, hnches, and intition. When sin­ this 
                   hat, o can e‚press emotions and feelin­s and share fears, likes, dislikes, 
                   loƒes, and hates. 
                   The Œreen Hat focses on creatiƒit‰ the possiilities, alternatiƒes, and 
                   new ideas. Žt’s an opportnit to e‚press new concepts and new percep†
                   tions. 
                   The …le Hat is sed to mana­e the thinkin­ process. Žt’s the control 
                   mechanism that ensre the Si‚ Thinkin­ Hats ­idelines are oserƒed.
      „dapted from Edward de Bono’s Six ­hinking Hats