Six Thinking Hats
What is the Six Thinking Hats theory?
The six thinking hats is a powerful thinking framework developed by physician Dr. Edward de Bono in 1985 designed to help individuals and groups approach decision-making from multiple “hats” or perspectives, with an emphasis on improving creativity and collaboration. The core idea behind the six thinking hats is that instead of using a single thinking style, participants are encouraged to adopt different "modes" or "hats" to explore a situation more thoroughly.
The Six Thinking Hats
Here are the six hats and their associated thinking styles:
- White Hat: Focuses on data, facts, and information.
- Yellow Hat: Represents optimism, benefits, and positive outcomes.
- Black Hat: Highlights caution, risks, and potential downsides.
- Red Hat: Involves emotions, feelings, and intuition.
- Green Hat: Sparks creativity, new ideas, and alternatives.
- Blue Hat: Oversees the process, organizing and controlling thinking.
About the Author
Isaac Koenig-Workman
Isaac Koenig-Workman has several years of experience in mental health support, group facilitation, and public communication across government, nonprofit, and academic settings. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing an Advanced Professional Certificate in Behavioural Insights at UBC Sauder School of Business. Isaac has contributed to research at UBC’s Attentional Neuroscience Lab and Centre for Gambling Research, and supported the development of the PolarUs app for bipolar disorder through UBC’s Psychiatry department. In addition to writing for TDL, he works as an Early Resolution Advocate with the Community Legal Assistance Society’s Mental Health Law Program, where he supports people certified under B.C.'s Mental Health Act and helps reduce barriers to care—especially for youth and young adults navigating complex mental health systems.
