DEBONO’S
JOURNALISTIC
SIX (HATS)
Learning Outcomes

Apply the six thinking hats method of decision
making

Evaluate effectiveness of the six thinking hats
decision making method

Before we start - Form groups of 6
Edward De Bono

Born 19 May 1933, in Malta

He is a physician, author, inventor, and
consultant

He is known as the
originator of the term
lateral thinking
Journalistic Six
Lateral thinking tool
for group discussion
and individual thinking
he Black hat is the
nservative hat
he White hat is
r knowing
hat information
needed
The Blue hat is for
facilitating
De Bono identified 6
distinct directions in
which a brain can be
challenged
The Yellow hat is the
positive hat
The Green hat is for
innovation, creative
The Red hat is for
emotions and
feelings
The Hats

Using the colours you were given at the beginning of the
session, make a hat which represents your colour and
what it means to you;

You have 20 minutes to complete this task;

Be creative!!
Seating plan
The Task

In your groups, you have 15 minutes to discuss an issue
and record your views on a flip chart;

Put on your hat and take its role;

At the end of each 3 mins rotate the hat to the left.

Remember: Pace has a positive impact on the thinking
process
The sequence

Sequences always begin and end with
the Blue hat – this person must outline
the issue:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Explore and decide your group values
Suggest name ideas and debate one
Suggest name ideas and debate one
Suggest name ideas and debate one
Decide solution through critical evaluation
(represents values?) of solutions set
Record decisions made on flipchart
paper
Evaluation

What are the advantages of using this method?

What are the disadvantages of using this method?
Summary

Review decisions made