6 Thinking Hats

If your meetings feel like chaos disguised as collaboration…

Try this.

One of the simplest leadership tools I know is the 6 Thinking Hats.

It transforms messy discussions into sharp decisions by giving structure to how people think — not just what they say.

Here’s how it works:

🟦 Blue Hat — Lead the process. Set the tone. Define the goal.

⬜ White Hat — Stick to the facts. Data, not opinions.

🟥 Red Hat — Name the gut feeling. Emotions have a seat at the table.

⬛ Black Hat — Spot the risks. Stress-test the decision.

🟨 Yellow Hat — Look for the upside. Fuel optimism and energy.

🟩 Green Hat — Generate ideas. Explore what hasn’t been tried yet.

The best leaders don’t just run meetings; they lead the thinking.