Six hats for new ideas

Ordering a phase of deliberation into six ways of thinking is a method for resolving problems or optimising creativity. David Garcia Castillo is an innovation management consultant, who uses the “six thinking hat” method.

It was in 1985 that the Maltese Edward de Bono, a psychologist, and specialist in cognitive sciences, published “Six Thinking Hats”, translated into French under the title of “Six chapeaux pour penser”. Edward de Bono had noticed that when thinking, many ideas appeared simultaneously with a mix of emotions, logic and personal feelings.

Edward de Bono then developed a method of thinking based on dividing thought into sequences. The aim is to separate the different types of thought in order to adopt a single mode of thinking at a time in order to avoid any confusion. This search for solutions is divided into six separate phases each represented by a different coloured hat symbolising a way of thinking: neutrality, emotions, creativity, pessimism, optimism, and organisation.

“This Six Hat Method is interesting when working in groups. I use many other methods of course but this one is effective and also fun” explained David Garcia Castillo. David Garcia Castillo is Development and Innovation Manager for Spanish company Agresta S.coop working in the forestry, wood, and environmental sector on the Iberian Peninsula and abroad and is also an innovation management consultant.