The "Six Thinking Hats" are a crucial thinking tool that enhances creativity, communication and productivity for teams and individuals. This surprisingly simple technique is often used in meeting facilitation as a "focus" and supervision mechanism that maximises and organises the thinking to increase meeting productivity and decision making. Team members learn how to separate the thinking into six distinct categories. Each category is identified with its own metaphorical coloured "Thinking Hat". Mentally wearing and switching hats can easily focus and redirect the thinking, conversations and meetings.
The method,
Invented by Doctor Edward de Bono (Medicine, Psychology and Physiology), the man considered the world's highest authority in the field of "Innovative Thinking" and "Serious Creativity" ®, this method helps companies of all trades, types and sizes succeed all over the world through the application of individual or collective Creative Thinking.
We are "accredited" by Edward de Bono himself as Experts in teaching and practicing his methods since 1993. As Experts, we help leaders and teams master the Creative Thinking Skills and Mindsets they need, individually and collectively, to design innovative approaches that will make the "Pertinent Difference". Contact us for more information /register
Thousands of companies around the world have become skilled Thinkers thanks to Edward de Bono's methods. These methods allow to voluntarily and consciously get out of our "Mental Highways" and develop innovative Strategies, Concepts and Ideas.
N.T.T, Mr. Hisashi Shinto, who was Chief Executive of NTT (Nippon Telephone and Telegraph), chose the "Six Thinking Hats" as a Thinking method at a time NTT had 350,000 employees and its stock market valuation was worth more than the top five U.S. corporations put together. "The method had a very powerful effect on our executives who are now much more creative and constructive."
Du Pont, "The productivity and quality of ideas and actions generated by this technique has been nothing short of phenomenal."
J.P. Morgan, "It has reduced meeting times by up to 75%, and changed our culture across Europe."
Coopers & Lybrand have calculated that in an organisation of 100 people, by saving one hour per week per person with more effective meetings, £250,000 could be saved per year
A Swedish company attributes a rise in profit from 7 millions dollars to 70 millions dollars over a three-year period as a result of the application of Edward de Bono's Thinking methods
A Belgian Company, "The de Bono techniques have been used to speed up the sales process - in fact on one occasion the results of a customary 6-week development period were achieved in just 2 hours - and with a better programme for the client."
Glaverbel, "The methods helped us promote positive relationships, reduce the frustrations normally felt in meetings and the deterioration in personal relationships caused by adversarial debate. People leave meetings in a positive frame of mind. Its use will therefore contribute to a much more positive, cooperative and constructive climate, which will reduce negative stress."
Eurocontrol, "The Hats helped us overcome cultural differences - interdepartmental, cultural and international differences - as everyone uses a common language in meetings. It contributes to build effective teams and enhances their performance. It also facilitates the transfer of ideas, technologies and systems from one part of an organisation to another."
ABB, "It has proven to be very efficient in improving working in teams at ABB. Especially in international teams where it takes a long time to get to know each other and cope with cultural differences. With Six Hats it is possible to gain results in two days which before took a month."
