Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
In Six Thinking Hats, Edward de Bono introduces a simple yet powerful technique for transforming meetings and decision-making processes. The Six Hats method is based on the idea that the brain has different modes of thinking, and each mode can be represented by a different colored hat. The six hats are:
- The white hat: This is the objective hat, which focuses on facts and logic.
- The red hat: This is the intuitive hat, focusing on emotion and instinct.
- The black hat: This is the cautious hat, used to predict negative outcomes.
- The yellow hat: This is the optimistic hat, used to look for positive outcomes.
- The green hat: This is the creative hat, used to generate new ideas and possibilities.
- The blue hat: This is the organizing hat, used to manage the thinking process and keep it on track.
By using these hats, individuals or groups can explore an issue from multiple perspectives in a clear, conflict-free way. The book provides practical guidance on how to use the Six Hats method effectively, including tips for facilitating meetings and making decisions.
The main themes of the book include:
- Parallel thinking: The Six Hats method encourages parallel thinking, where everyone is focused on the same aspect of the issue at the same time. This helps to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
- Diverse perspectives: By using the different hats, individuals or groups can explore an issue from a variety of perspectives, including emotional, logical, and creative.
- Productive meetings: The Six Hats method can help to make meetings more productive by keeping them focused and organized.
What I Liked
Ok – I though this book was going to be classic business BS with lots of ridiculous jargon to prove a basic point. It wasn’t! It exceeded my expectations with a really solid, useful framework.
What I Did Not Like
I mean – the dude is hilariously full of himself. There’s a lot of hype, but the ideas are pretty useful, so it’s worth ignoring.
