About this session
Workplace discussions often mix several kinds of thinking at once.
One person raises evidence, somebody challenges the risk, another defends the idea, another introduces a new possibility and the conversation becomes a debate about who is right rather than a deliberate exploration of the problem.
Six Thinking Hats separates these modes. White Hat focuses attention on information and evidence.
Red Hat creates space for feelings and intuition. Black Hat examines caution, risk and what could go wrong.
Yellow Hat looks for value, benefits and why an idea might work. Green Hat creates alternatives and possibilities.
Blue Hat manages the thinking process itself.
The central principle is parallel thinking. Rather than assigning individuals permanent positions or asking different people to defend different hats, participants use the same thinking mode together and then deliberately switch modes.
This allows a group to examine a challenge from several directions without turning every difference in perspective into an argument.
Participants also learn that there is no universal hat sequence.
A facilitator may use Blue to frame the conversation, White to establish what is known, Green to generate options, Yellow and Black to evaluate them and Blue to summarize — but the sequence should be chosen according to the thinking task rather than applied mechanically.
What your people take away
- Understand the purpose of all six thinking modes
- Use parallel thinking instead of adversarial position-taking
- Separate evidence, emotion, caution, value and creativity
- Select useful hat sequences for different workplace challenges
- Facilitate group thinking without assigning people permanent roles
- Use Blue Hat thinking to frame, manage and conclude the process
Shared with you
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: The six thinking hatsA focused 30-minute session on three key points from The six thinking hats: information & Evidence, feelings & Intuition and caution & Risk.
- Information & Evidence
- Feelings & Intuition
- Caution & Risk
Covers 3 of 6 points in The six thinking hats.
60 minutes
60 Minutes — Think in Parallel With Six Thinking HatsA focused introduction to the six thinking modes and the principle of parallel thinking. Participants practice switching modes together and apply a short hat sequence to one workplace problem or decision.
- Parallel thinking vs. positional debate
- White Hat — information
- Red Hat — feelings and intuition
- Black Hat — caution and risk
- Yellow Hat — value and benefits
- Green Hat — creativity
- Blue Hat — process
- Rapid parallel-thinking exercise
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: The six thinking hats.
90 minutes
90 Minutes — Use All Six Modes for Better Problem-SolvingThe extended session develops practical use of each hat, teaches participants how to choose sequences for different purposes and applies a complete parallel-thinking process to a real or realistic workplace challenge.
- Purpose of each thinking mode
- Same hat / same time principle
- Evidence vs. assumption
- Emotion and intuition
- Risk and value balance
- Creative alternative generation
- Blue Hat process control
- Hat sequence design
- Facilitated workplace case
- Decision and next-step synthesis
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: The six thinking hats and Apply Six Thinking Hats to a Real Workplace Challenge.
3 hours
3 Hours — Six Thinking Hats in PracticeBuilds on the 90-minute session, with more time to apply Six Thinking Hats to a real or realistic workplace case and to explore the thinking behind it.
- The six thinking hats
- Apply Six Thinking Hats to a Real Workplace Challenge
- The Thinking Behind Six Thinking Hats
- Applied workplace case
- Live Q&A
Covers 3 of 4 parts: The six thinking hats, Apply Six Thinking Hats to a Real Workplace Challenge and The Thinking Behind Six Thinking Hats.
Full day
Full Day — Parallel Thinking Problem-Solving LabA hands-on full-day workshop in which participants use Six Thinking Hats across several problem-solving and decision scenarios, design different thinking sequences and practice facilitating complete parallel-thinking conversations.
- Thinking Challenge Diagnostic
- White Hat Evidence Mapping
- Red Hat Signal Practice
- Black Hat Risk Review
- Yellow Hat Value Review
- Green Hat Alternatives Lab
- Blue Hat Facilitation
- Sequence Design
- Problem-Solving Sequence
- Decision Sequence
- Idea-Development Sequence
- Live Facilitation Practice
- Thinking Process Review
- Parallel Thinking Action Plan
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
Also available as a 4-week or 8-week program, for change that lasts. Ask us about it.
What’s covered
The six thinking hats
Every length- Information & EvidenceFocus attention on what is known, what is not yet known and what information is needed.
- Feelings & IntuitionSurface emotional responses, instinctive reactions and intuition without requiring immediate justification.
- Caution & RiskExamine weaknesses, constraints, risks and reasons an idea or decision could fail.
- Value & BenefitsExamine potential value, benefits and reasons an idea could succeed.
- Creativity & AlternativesGenerate new possibilities, alternatives and ways of reframing the challenge.
- Process & ControlManage the thinking process: define the purpose, select the modes, guide the conversation, summarize and determine next steps.
Apply Six Thinking Hats to a Real Workplace Challenge
90 minutes and longer- Frame the Thinking ChallengeUse Blue Hat thinking to define the purpose, scope and question the group actually needs to address.
- Choose the Hat SequenceSelect the modes needed for the task rather than mechanically running through all six in the same order.
- Think in ParallelMove the group through each selected mode together so evidence, emotion, risk, value and creativity are explored deliberately.
- Switch Modes Without Carrying the Previous ArgumentTreat each hat as a temporary shared lens and prevent participants from continuing to defend the position they held in the previous mode.
- Synthesize & ActUse Blue Hat thinking to summarize the insights, identify unresolved questions and convert the thinking into a decision, experiment or next action.
The Thinking Behind Six Thinking Hats
3 hours and longer- Use the Same Hat TogetherParallel thinking means participants deliberately use the same mode at the same time rather than assigning people to defend competing positions.
- Hats Are Modes — Not PersonalitiesNobody is permanently a Black Hat thinker, Green Hat person or Red Hat colleague.
- There Is No Universal SequenceDifferent challenges require different combinations and orders.
- Red Hat Does Not Need a Logical DefenseRed creates a legitimate space for intuition and feeling.
Common Six Thinking Hats Failure Modes
Full day only- Assigning Hats to PeopleMaking one person the permanent Black Hat and another the Green Hat recreates positional thinking.
- Debating Across HatsIf one person is raising risks while another keeps defending benefits, parallel thinking has collapsed back into argument.
- Using One Fixed Sequence Every TimeThe most useful order depends on the purpose of the discussion.
- Treating Red Hat Feelings as FactsIntuition and emotion can provide useful signals, but they do not become objective evidence simply because they have been surfaced.
Tools and materials
- Thinking Challenge Brief
- White Hat Evidence Map
- Red Hat Signal Check
- Black Hat Risk & Constraint Review
- Yellow Hat Value & Benefits Map
- Green Hat Alternatives Generator
- Blue Hat Facilitation Planner
- Hat Sequence Designer
- Parallel Thinking Session Canvas
- Parallel Thinking Facilitation Playbook
Who it’s for
- Managers and team leaders facilitating complex discussions or decisions
- Project and cross-functional teams solving problems together
- Innovation and strategy teams exploring alternatives before committing to action
- Employees who want a practical structure for individual and group thinking
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Six Thinking Hats: Parallel Thinking for Problem-Solving
How long is Six Thinking Hats: Parallel Thinking for Problem-Solving?
Six Thinking Hats: Parallel Thinking for Problem-Solving runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from The six thinking hats: information & Evidence, feelings & Intuition and caution & Risk. A 60-minute session covers The six thinking hats in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Apply Six Thinking Hats to a Real Workplace Challenge. A 3-hour session adds The Thinking Behind Six Thinking Hats. A full-day session adds Common Six Thinking Hats Failure Modes. It is also available as a 4-week or 8-week program.
Can Six Thinking Hats: Parallel Thinking for Problem-Solving be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Six Thinking Hats: Parallel Thinking for Problem-Solving?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Six Thinking Hats: Parallel Thinking for Problem-Solving to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.