6 Thinking Hats

Edward De Bono

The human brain

Brian hemispheres• LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS

 uses logicdetail orientedfacts rulewords and languagepresent and pastmath and sciencecan comprehendKnowingacknowledgesorder/pattern perceptionknows object namereality basedforms strategiespracticalsafe

• RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling"big picture" orientedimagination rulessymbols and imagespresent and futurephilosophy & religioncan "get it" (i.e. meaning)believesappreciatesspatial perceptionknows object functionfantasy basedpresents possibilitiesimpetuousrisk taking

Intelligence

Gardner defines an "intelligence" as a group of abilities that:

• Is somewhat autonomous from other human capacities.

• Has a core set of information-processing operations.

• Has a distinct history in the stages of development we each pass through.

• Has plausible roots in evolutionary history

7 things that comprises intelligence

• Verbal-Linguistic--The ability to use words and language • Logical-Mathematical--The capacity for inductive and deductive

thinking and reasoning, as well as the use of numbers and the recognition of abstract patterns

• Visual-Spatial--The ability to visualize objects and spatial dimensions, and create internal images and pictures

• Body-Kinesthetic--The wisdom of the body and the ability to control physical motion

• Musical-Rhythmic--The ability to recognize tonal patterns and sounds, as well as a sensitivity to rhythms and beats

• Interpersonal--The capacity for person-to-person communications and relationships

• Intrapersonal--The spiritual, inner states of being, self-reflection, and awareness

The phenomenal power of the human mind   I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid! Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The

rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a

wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh, and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

How is a paradigmformed?

A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage and in the middle, a ladder with a cage and in the middle, a ladder with

bananas on the top.bananas on the top.

Every time a monkey went up the ladder, Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the the scientists soaked the rest of the

monkeys with cold water. monkeys with cold water.

After a while, every time a monkey went After a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, the others beat up the one up the ladder, the others beat up the one

on the ladder.on the ladder.

After some time, no monkey dare to go After some time, no monkey dare to go up the ladder regardless of the up the ladder regardless of the temptation.temptation.

Scientists then decided to substitute one of the Scientists then decided to substitute one of the monkeys. The 1monkeys. The 1stst thing this new monkey did thing this new monkey did was to go up the ladder. Immediately the was to go up the ladder. Immediately the other monkeys beat him up.other monkeys beat him up.

After several beatings, the new member learned not to climb the ladder even though never knew why.

A 2nd monkey was substituted and the same occurred. The 1st monkey participated on the beating for the 2nd monkey. A 3rd monkey was

changed and the same was repeated (beating). The 4th was substituted and the beating was

repeated and finally the 5th monkey was replaced.

What was left was a group of 5 monkeys that even though never received a cold

shower, continued to beat up any monkey who attempted to climb the

ladder.

If it was possible to ask the monkeys why they would beat up all those who attempted to go up the ladder…..

I bet you the answer would be….

“I don’t know – that’s how things are done around here”

Does it sounds familiar?

"Only two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity. And I am not so sure about the former."

Albert Einstein

Dr. Edward De Bono

Edward De Bono is a world-known expert in creative thinking. The 6 Thinking Hats is one such technique. The main idea is to have the group only “wear one hat at a time” when considering a problem. The wearing of the hat is metaphorical. At any one time, everyone will wear the same colour, in other words, look at the problem at hand from only one perspective, the perspective indicated by the hat colour.

Six Hats• The White Hat: calls for information known or needed. "The facts,

just the facts." • The Yellow Hat: symbolises brightness and optimism. You can

explore the positives and probe for value and benefit • The Black Hat: signifies caution and critical thinking - do not

overuse! Why something may not work • The Red Hat: signifies feelings, hunches and intuition - the place

where emotions are placed without explanation • The Green Hat: focuses on creativity, possibilities, alternatives and

new ideas. It is an opportunity to express new concepts and new perceptions - lateral thinking could be used here

• The Blue Hat: is used to manage the thinking process. It ensures that the 'Six Thinking Hats' guidelines are observed.

Benefits:

• Reduce conflict • Look at decisions and problems systematically • Achieve results • Generate more and better ideas • Think clearly • Improve team results • Solve problems, innovate and create. • Allow to say things without risk• Create awareness that there are multiple perspectives on the issue at hand• Convenient mechanism for 'switching gears'• Rules for the game of thinking• Focus thinking• Lead to more creative thinking• Improve communication• Improve decision making

Teams and Individuals learn "How to":

• Adopt a deliberate thinking process for solving problems and finding opportunities

• Reduce adversarial interactions between team members • Stimulate innovating by focusing creative energy • Create dynamic and positive meetings that make people want to participate • Spot opportunities where others see problems • See beyond the obvious • View problems from new and unusual angles • See all sides of a situation • Keep egos and 'turf protection' in check • Save time. • Isolate the types of thinking - negatives, positives etc • Identify information that is missing or needed • Spot dangers and potential problems and ways to overcome and avoid them

*         Follow the instruction below.

*         1) Stare at the 4 little dots on the middle of the picture for 30 seconds *         2) then look at a wall near you *         3) a bright spot will appear *         4) twinkle a few times and you‘ll see a figure *         5) What do you see? Or even WHO do you see?

Thank you