Six Thinking Hats Summary

Summary of Six Thinking Hats Book by Edward de Bono

Name: Six Thinking Hats
Rating: 4.7 (778 reviews)
Author: Edward de Bono

4.7 . 778 reviews

Short summary

Each day, we have many decisions to make. Sometimes, we get stuck while thinking of the best way to make a decision, and this prevents us from making fast decisions. What if there is a way to think clearly and make better decisions? This summary reveals the answer to this question. “Six Thinking Hats“ is a book by Edward de Bono — the man credited with the discovery of lateral thinking. Edward de Bono is a renowned author, philosopher, critical thinking expert, and a firm advocate of critical thinking. Meetings are a vital part of all our lives, but too often derail from their objectives and end up being a waste of valuable time. In this summary, Edward de Bono shows how meetings can be transformed to produce quick, decisive results every time. “Thinking is the ultimate human resource.” ~ Edward de Bono

16 min

8 key points

7 insights

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Table of content

Summary of Six Thinking Hats
About the author
What is Six Thinking Hats about?
Who should read Six Thinking Hats
Topics in Six Thinking Hats

first key point

The Six Hats method will allow your brain to maximize its sensitivity in different directions at different times

Listen the first key point

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A major part of the existence of humans is hinged on their thoughts. Some people have learned how to think in ways that are beneficial to them, but this does not mean that everyone shouldn’t find a way to be better. Once a person stops working on themselves, they stop growing.

The major challenge to effective thinking is confusion. We tend to think of many things at once and end up making mistakes in many areas. We want to be emotional, factual, creative, and logical all at the same time. This is a recipe for disaster. The Six Thinking Hats method is designed to allow a person to focus on one thing at a time.

The Six Thinking Hats method allows people to switch between different types of thinking in order to arrive at the best conclusion. It is particularly useful for teams and making difficult decisions. It is impossible for the brain to maximize its sensitivity to different directions at the same time, but the Six Hats method allows this.

Western thinking is full of analysis, facts, and arguments. But there is another type of thinking that focuses on what is possible. Based on our experiences, we try to categorize things into boxes, but this can only work in a stable world. In this ever-changing world of ours, we need to be able to consider different factors before judging anything or assigning something to a box. In traditional thinking, both parties argue based on their different perspectives. But in parallel thinking, both views — no matter how different — are viewed in parallel. If a choice has to be made, one can be chosen. If it is impossible to make a choice, both parallels are used to make a design.

People often argue because they are not skilled in conflict resolution skills.

Each of the six thinking hats has a color: white, red, black, yellow, green, and blue. The color provides the name for the hat and it is also related to its function.
• White Hat: white is objective and neutral. The white hat is concerned with objective figures and facts.
• Red Hat: red suggests anger, rage, and emotions. The red hat gives an emotional view.
• Black Hat: black is somber and serious. The black hat is cautious and careful. Black hat points out the weaknesses in an idea.
• Yellow Hat: This hat is positive and sunny. It is optimistic.
• Green Hat: green is like grass, vegetation, and abundant, fertile growth. This hat indicates creativity and new ideas.
• Blue Hat: blue is a cool color, it is also the color of the sky, which is above all things. The blue hat is concerned with control, the organization of the thinking process, and the use of the other hats.

At different points, people are looking in a direction that can be changed. The Six Hats act as a guide to making choices and help people focus on one thing at a time. Keep reading to know what the Six Hats are and how you can use them.

We may have a perfectly adequate way of doing something, but that does not mean there cannot be a better way. ~ Edward de Bono

second key point

The white hat energy is directed at seeking and laying out information

With the white hat, everyone focuses on how much information is available, how much information is needed, and the necessary questions to be asked. The white hat is about information. This information can be in the form of hard facts and figures that can be checked to soft information like opinions and feelings. If you express your own feelings, that is a red hat, but if you report on someone else expressing a feeling, that is a white hat.

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third key point

The red hat presents opportunities to express feelings, emotions, and intuition without the need to explain or justify them

fourth key point

More often than not, people use the black hat the most

fifth key point

The yellow hat seeks to find the benefits hidden in a suggestion

sixth key point

Under the green hat, you are permitted to put forward possibilities, which play a big role in thinking

seventh key point

The blue hat is responsible for thinking about your thoughts

eighth key point

Conclusion

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What is Six Thinking Hats about?

In this insightful book, the author introduces a powerful thinking tool called the "Six Thinking Hats." Edward de Bono explores how this method can enhance decision-making and problem-solving by encouraging individuals to approach situations from different perspectives. Each "hat" represents a different thinking style, allowing readers to effectively analyze, generate ideas, evaluate, and make informed choices. With practical examples and exercises, this book offers a valuable framework for improving critical thinking skills and fostering collaboration in various aspects of life.

Who should read Six Thinking Hats

Business professionals seeking to improve decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Educators looking to enhance critical thinking and creativity in the classroom.
Individuals interested in personal development and effective communication strategies.

Topics in Six Thinking Hats

Critical Thinking Problem Solving Creativity Decision Making Psychology Leadership Business Strategy Innovation Self-Discovery Personal Development Entrepreneurship Management Productivity Learning Networking

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