How Many Squares?

Developed in the 1980’s by Dr. Edward de Bono.

One hat is worn at a time so that we can focus on one thinking process at a time. When we change hats, we change our thinking.

Information.

What are the facts?

Feelings.

What are my feelings about this?

Strengths.

What are the positive points?

Weaknesses.

What is wrong with this?

New ideas.

What is possible?

Thinking about thinking.

What thinking is needed?

APPLY

• What are the facts?• What do you feel about this situation? What does

your intuition tell you? • Why won’t this work? • What are the benefits? What can be done to

ensure success? • What are the possibilities? • Finally provide a reasonable action plan for Pepsi.

Thinking Hat Description Key WordQuestion

Hat’s Response to Scenario

The White Hat is cold, neutral, and objective.

What are the facts?

Represents anger (seeing red).

What do you feel about this situation? What does your intuition tell you?

Gloomy and negative. Why won’t this work?

Sunny and positive. What are the benefits? What can be done to ensure success?

Fertile and growing What are the Possibilities?

Take time to look from a higher and wider perspective to see whether you are addressing the right issue.

ReflectSummarizeExplainAction plan