ECCAY RESOURCES

• To co-construct solutions by exploiting the expertise of the group members
• To develop creative thinking in order to promote alternative points of view that are untapped in the traditional way of thinking.

• This exercise can be related to UNIT 2 as it helps experience an alternative way of managing questions to create new solutions to recurring problems, to realize opportunities that were previously overlooked, to recognize and change the nature of one's own thinking, so that one becomes more able to generate and explore possibilities, not just accept or defend what already exists.
•  It’s related to UNIT 4 as one of the advantages in a group work of this technique is its collaborative aspect that brings together the expertise and thought development of all group members. It can generate security because all opinions are taken into account without discussion or judgment. The emergence of solutions can generate optimism, hope, and valorisation because it is the fruit of work in common, and not of a few. It helps enhancing motivation and cooperation in group.

You lay out the 6 coloured hats on a table, which will arouse curiosity from the beginning.

Step 1/ Introduction:
The session starts par the statement of the problem: What is the problem? Why are we here? What is the context? What is the purpose of this session? and the way the workshop will be conducted to find solutions in particular by stating the order in which the hats will be used and the time allotted for each sequence (about 2 to 3 mn per participant, may be more for the last one). This is to ensure that everyone is clear about the flow of the session. Listening and respect are the key-words. There should be no debate during the expression of each person: if I don't agree with the previous contribution, I bring another one.

The facilitator will note each idea.

Step 2/ Explanations about the signification of each colour hat are done (blue, white, red, black, yellow, green) Each one materializes one way of thinking. The whole group "wears" the same colour hat at the same time, and will wear all the hats in successive sequences in the order listed below, except the BLUE one worn by the facilitator of the group.

1. BLUE HAT: The colour blue is the colour of the sky, which is above all things. It’s your role to wear it, keeping it on throughout the session as the leader of the reflection, the facilitator, the coordinator, the conductor. It personifies organization: analysis, synthesis, stepping back, channelling ideas, recapitulation, discipline, a process of reflection that allows the session to unfold properly and achieve the set objective. It must ensure that everyone can be involved.

2. WHITE HAT: It represents neutrality: stating the available elements in a factual, impartial way, without any interpretation. Each participant will simply state the facts: How the problem arises for him/her? What do I know about the situation? What information do I have? What figures do I have? What are the norms/rules/laws on the subject? What information is missing? How do I get it?

3. RED HAT: It symbolizes emotions and intuition: feelings, judgments, emotions and sentiments. It’s a sequence during which each of the protagonists must express what they feel about the problem without having to justify themselves: what do I feel? What does my intuition tell me? What does it inspire me? What are my convictions? What feelings does it instil in me?

4. BLACK HAT: The black colour expresses pessimism: the risks, the limits, the obstacles, the disadvantages... without argumentation. What are the obstacles to each solution? Why doesn't it work? What are the drawbacks? What is needed to make it work that we don't have? What are the obstacles we will encounter? What are the weaknesses?

5. YELLOW HAT: This is the positive criticism sequence. It expresses optimism: advantages, opportunities, hopes, benefits:

what are the advantages of each solution? What are the benefits? How can we go further? How can we make it work?

6. BLACK HAT: It materializes creativity: original alternatives, imaginative ideas, zany or abracadabra suggestions are formulated without any censorship and with the characteristic energy of enthusiasm. It’s the sequence where imagination and creativity are limitless: what are the ideal solutions, however far-fetched or unrealistic they may be? What other paths are possible? What would be truly innovative? What other solution can be found to the problem? What suggestions can be made for dealing with the obstacles mentioned in the black hat?

The time allotted to this creative sequence could be longer than for the others.

Conclusion with the blue hat: The facilitator reads aloud all the answers that have emerged in each of the sequences, in the same order, taking care not to leave any out. Then invites the participants to do their conclusion! What do we remember from the session? Have we made progress or is the situation still unclear? Where should we go from here? How do we proceed? According to which action plan? What are the next steps? What priorities are emerging ?

Following this conclusion, the debriefing allows to evaluate what the realization of this exercise has produced for everyone. First, it seems useful to thank all the participants of their contribution, and show your satisfaction about their work.

Then let express each:

Was this exercise helpful?

If not why, If yes why?

How it was useful?

This method is a worldwide reference, so it is known and translated into many languages:

France : Les 6 chapeaux de la réflexion, de Edward De Bono, Ed. Eyrolles

Germany/Austria: Die 6 Denkhüte Von De Bono, Ed.ABP Publishing
Italy: La Tecnica di Seicopelli per Pensare de Edward de Bono, Ed. Rizzoli

Romania: Tehnica celor șase pălării gânditoare a lui Edward de Bono

Spain: Los seis sombreros para pensar de Edward De Bono, Ed. Paidos