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How to Increase Creativity and Sharpen Problem Solving Skills Using the Six Thinking Hats

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How to Increase Creativity and Sharpen Problem Solving Skills Using the Six Thinking Hats

Using the Six Thinking Hats to Increase Creativity and Sharpen Problem Solving Skill.
Using the Six Thinking Hats to Increase Creativity and Sharpen Problem Solving Skill

For our learners to the need to increase creativity and sharpen their problem solving skill is a clear and present requirement. Both will be essential skills increasing in their personal and professional lives. Whether tackling complex business challenges or navigating their next big life choice, the ability to think creatively can make all the difference.

One of the tools we use for fostering creativity and problem-solving is Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats framework. This method provides a structured yet flexible approach to generating new ideas by encouraging our learners to view problems from different perspectives.

We have talking previous about the importance of creativity here: https://braintrain.org/embracing-creativity-encouraging-innovation-in-young-learners/

In this blog post, we’ll explore the Six Thinking Hats framework, discuss its proven effectiveness, and explain how we’re using it in our class this week to help learners develop these crucial skills. We’ll also delve into the broader importance of creativity in problem-solving and the importance of applying these abilities in every aspect of life.

What are Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats?

Edward de Bono, a Maltese physician, psychologist, and philosopher, introduced the Six Thinking Hats in his 1985 book Six Thinking Hats. The method is a powerful tool designed to encourage lateral thinking, which involves solving problems through an indirect and creative approach. Rather than sticking to traditional linear thinking, which often leads to predictable outcomes, de Bono’s framework encourages a multi-dimensional view of a problem.

The Six Thinking Hats represent six different modes of thinking, each symbolized by a colored hat. When individuals or teams “wear” these hats, they adopt a specific thinking style, which helps them view the situation from a new angle. This method allows for comprehensive analysis of a problem while minimizing conflict and fostering collaborative idea generation. Here’s a brief overview of the six hats:

  1. White Hat: Focuses on facts, figures, and information. It’s about gathering objective data and staying neutral.
  2. Red Hat: Represents emotions, intuition, and gut feelings. It allows individuals to express how they feel about the situation without needing to justify their emotions.
  3. Black Hat: Emphasizes caution and critical thinking. The black hat focuses on potential risks, obstacles, and downsides.
  4. Yellow Hat: Symbolizes optimism, highlighting potential benefits, and positive outcomes.
  5. Green Hat: Represents creativity, innovation, and new ideas. The “out of the box” thinking hat.
  6. Blue Hat: Focuses on managing the thinking process, organizing the other hats, and ensuring that the group stays on track.

By “putting on” different hats, our learners can examine a problem from multiple perspectives, thus reducing potential bias and tunnel vision. The framework encourages participants to alternate between hats in a structured way, ensuring a balanced exploration of the problem at hand.

The Effectiveness of the Six Thinking Hats Framework

The Six Thinking Hats method has been widely adopted in various fields, from education to business, and its effectiveness is supported by numerous studies and real-world applications.

Enhancing Creativity and Collaboration in Teams

A study published in the Journal of Management Development found that using the Six Thinking Hats significantly improved creative problem-solving in teams. The research demonstrated that the method helped reduce conflict by allowing team members to switch between different thinking modes, leading to more harmonious discussions and a broader range of solutions. By providing a common language for thinking, the Six Thinking Hats framework also fosters collaboration and minimizes miscommunication.

The Six Thinking Hats framework has helped thousands of teams around the world since it was introduced.  An application at IBM by its Chief Scientist, Dharmendra Modha used the technique to help facilitate the work of a group of 200 highly academic scientists.

Boosting Critical Thinking in Education

In education, the Six Thinking Hats framework has proven to be an effective tool for enhancing critical thinking skills. A study conducted in Turkish schools among playwriting students showed that those students who used the Six Thinking Hats method demonstrated significant improvements in their ability to analyze and solve problems creatively. The method also helped students develop empathy by encouraging them to consider different perspectives, making it a valuable tool for both academic and personal growth.

Applying the Six Thinking Hats in Our Class

In our class, we use Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats framework to help learners generate creative ideas and approach problems from fresh perspectives. By guiding students through each of the six thinking modes, we create a structured yet dynamic environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Here’s how the framework is integrated into our sessions:

Structured Brainstorming Sessions

We begin with a clear objective or problem that needs solving.

To kickstart the brainstorming process, we guide our learners to “put on” the White Hat, encouraging them to gather all available data and facts. This phase is essential for laying a foundation of objective information, ensuring that everyone is on the same page before diving into creative ideation.

The Green Hat phase is where true creativity shines. Learners are prompted to generate innovative ideas and solutions without worrying about feasibility. This is where we see the most exciting breakthroughs, as learners feel free to explore unconventional ideas that they might not have considered otherwise.

When we switch to the Yellow Hat, learners are encouraged to focus on the positive aspects of their ideas, highlighting potential benefits and solutions. This phase balances out the critical thinking of the next phase and helps energize the brainstorming session.

The Black Hat phase follows, where learners are encouraged to think critically and consider potential risks and challenges to what they have already discussed. This is where we play the “devil’s advocate,” helping learners identify weaknesses in their ideas before moving forward. It’s a crucial step that ensures we don’t overlook potential pitfalls.

Next, we shift to the Red Hat, allowing learners to express their emotional reactions and gut feelings about the problem and potential solutions. This phase is crucial because it acknowledges the emotional aspect of problem-solving, which is often overlooked in traditional approaches. By validating emotions, we create a safe space where learners feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of judgment.

Finally, the Blue Hat is used helping learners organize their thoughts and decide on the next steps. The Blue Hat is essentially the “process hat,” guiding the group toward actionable conclusions and ensuring that the session ends with a clear plan of action.

Encouraging Multiple Perspectives

One of the key benefits of using the Six Thinking Hats framework in our class is that it encourages learners to step outside their habitual ways of thinking. Often, individuals tend to rely on one or two dominant thinking styles—whether it’s a preference for critical analysis or emotional intuition. By requiring learners to adopt each of the different hats, we help them develop cognitive flexibility, which is essential for creative problem-solving. This flexibility allows learners to see problems from multiple angles, leading to more innovative solutions.

Building Confidence in Problem-Solving

By providing a structured approach to creativity, the Six Thinking Hats framework helps learners build confidence in their ability to tackle complex problems. The method breaks down the problem-solving process into manageable steps, making it less overwhelming and more approachable. As learners become more comfortable with each thinking mode, they gain the confidence to apply these skills in other areas of their lives, from school projects to real-world challenges.

The Importance of Creativity in Problem-Solving

For us, the Six Thinking Hats framework is a tool for enhancing creativity, and creativity is a crucial component of effective problem-solving. For our learners, the ability to think creatively is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to innovate in a competitive market or a student working on a group project, creativity enables you to approach problems from new angles, find unique solutions, and adapt to unforeseen challenges.

Creative problem-solving goes beyond simply generating new ideas; it involves the ability to combine those ideas in novel ways, challenge assumptions, and see connections that others might miss. By fostering creativity, we equip learners with the tools they need to thrive in a world where change will be constant and complex problems are the norm.

Moreover, creativity in problem-solving promotes resilience. When faced with obstacles, creative thinkers are more likely to persevere because they see challenges as opportunities for innovation rather than roadblocks. This mindset not only leads to better solutions but also builds a positive, growth-oriented attitude that can be applied in all areas of life.

Conclusion: Unlock Your Learners Creative Potential

Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats framework is a powerful tool for fostering creativity and enhancing problem-solving skills. By encouraging individuals to adopt different perspectives, it provides a structured yet flexible approach to generating new ideas and finding innovative solutions. In our classes, we help learners develop the cognitive flexibility, confidence, and collaborative skills they need to tackle complex challenges creatively.

As we’ve seen, creativity is not just about coming up with new ideas—it’s about viewing problems from different angles, combining ideas in unique ways, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Each week our classes try to help your learners develop these skills. Why not sign up for this week’s class to take your learner’s problem solving skills to the next level: https://outschool.com/teachers/braintrain#abkocm6z1r

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