Communication - A Case Study

This report discusses the theory of the Six Thinking Hats proposed by Edward de Bono and analyzes a case study in light of the theory. It concludes with recommendations on the problems discussed. The report aims to examine the proper implementation of the six thinking hats in the decision-making activities regarding the Children’s Day activities.

Running head: COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Six Thinking Hats, a discussion system designed by Edward de Bono, enables the
participation in a group discussion as well as improve the individual thought processes that are
necessary within the given situation. In the following report, we attempted a discussion on the
theory of the six thinking hats that was proposed by Edward de Bono, a Maltese philosopher.
The report opened with a discussion on the theory. The report then proceeded to analyze the
given scenario in light of the theory proposed by Edward de Bono. The report finally reached its
conclusion with the recommendations on the problems that have been discussed in the previous
sections.

2COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Introduction to de Bono's hats.........................................................................................3
Analysis of the case study................................................................................................4
Recommendation.................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................5
References............................................................................................................................7

3COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
Introduction
Edward de Bono, a Maltese philosopher, is well-known for designing a theory for solving
various conflicts by challenging the thought processes. This theory is popularly known as the
theory of the Six Thinking Hats. The following report aims to discuss the theory of the six
thinking hats as proposed by Edward de Bono. The report opens with a discussion on the theory
and proceeds to analyze the given scenario in light of the theory proposed by Edward de Bono.
The report finally nears its conclusion with the recommendations on the problems that have been
discussed in the previous sections.
Introduction to de Bono's hats
The Six Thinking Hats is a discussion system that was designed by the Maltese
philosopher Edward de Bono. This system was designed in order to participate in a group
discussion as well as improve the individual thought processes that are necessary within the
given situation. The thinking hats tend to associate the ideas that are related to the parallel
thoughts that are used within a group of people in order to discuss as well as plan the thought
processes in a properly detailed as well as cohesive manner. This helps in maintaining an
effectiveness in the thought processes that are demonstrated by the group or the concerned
individual (De Bono, 2017). The system that was designed by Edward de Bono involved six
colored hats that represented six different directions that are distinct in their nature. The hats, as
opined by the experts in the matter, aim to discuss thought processes that are not completely
natural for the functionalities of the human brain.
The six distinctive directions that are represented by the coloring hats are symbolized by
the different colors of the hats. The six colors that are used for the representation of the

4COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
directions are black, blue, green, red, yellow and white. The blue hat discusses the problem that
needs to be looked into and stands for the management capabilities of the brain. The red hat
discusses the major emotions that are linked to the scenario. These relate to the various
emotional aspects of the scenario. The red hat considers the various internal feelings that cannot
be justified by reason. The black hat on the other hand deals with the logical approaches that
might help in resolving the problems. The yellow hat is known to be implemented in order to
throw light on the matters that are related to the optimistic responses that might follow the
concerned action. The green hat refers to the matters that are related to the creativity that is
required in order to deal with the matters that are related to the thoughts on the given scenario
(Kivunja, 2015). The green thinking hat might incorporate the investigation as well as the
provocation on the given scenario.
Analysis of the case study
In the given case study, the situation that is presented describes a discussion among the
teachers and the concerned teachers regarding an outing with the children of the school as well as
those staying at the orphanage regarding the plans for the upcoming event of Children’s Day.
The principal, in the given scenario, is observed to have been inviting the suggestions from the
concerned teachers regarding the plans. The principal might thus be said to have been donning
the blue hat since she brings forth the topic of discussion in the given scenario (MacDonald et
al., 2017). The teachers are observed to be very optimistic in the matters and go on to suggest
several ideas that majorly center around the water activities. This might be attributed to be the
characteristics of the red hat in the decision-making activities. The suggestion of the water park
activities cannot be justified using specific reasons. This is just a figment of the emotional
intelligence that is shared by the teachers. I would like to use the green color hat in discussing

5COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
the opportunity of involving the parents of the children of the playgroup and Nursery 1who have
been participating in the outing (Payette & Barnes, 2017). This would help in the management of
the safety of the children as well as help in the strengthening of the bonds between the parents
and their children. The children belonging to the orphanage might not be included within the
activity. In order to resolve the food issues, we might suggest that the school collects a certain
amount of the finance from the concerned students and the parents who have been willing to
participate. The school might collect $15 from the children and $25 from the adults who aim to
join the event.
The communication skills as demonstrated by the concerned principal and the teachers
within the presented scenario majorly discusses open-ended questions. The principal is majorly
observed to put forth open ended questions that are generally helpful for the discussion among
the concerned teachers. The questions that are discussed by the concerned principal are generally
found to be developmental in nature and have been known to initiate discussion amon the
teachers regarding the various Children’s Day activities. The progress of the meeting reveals an
assertive nature of communication within the teachers. A certain section of the teachers tend to
advocate for taking the children out on an excursion to the beach or the water park where they
might enjoy themselves.
Recommendation
I would like to recommend that the school should arrange a trip to the zoo or the science
center instead of arranging a trip to the water play. This might help the students to learn more
about the natural world around them. The trip to the zoo or the science center might help in the
education of the students alongside the entertainment that they would find at both the suggested
places.

6COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
Conclusion
Thus, from the above discussion we might conclude the proper implementation of the six
thinking hats in the decision-making activities regarding the Children’s Day activities. The
theory of the six thinking hats as proposed by Edward de Bono has helped in the examining the
various aspects of conducting the proposed activities in order to entertain the children on the
special day. Thus, it might safely be concluded that the theory proposed by de Bono is effective
in the decision-making activities as undertaken by the concerned people in the managerial
positions.

7COMMUNICATION – A CASE STUDY
References
De Bono, E. (2017). Six thinking hats. Penguin UK.
Kivunja, C. (2015). Using de Bono’s six thinking hats model to teach critical thinking and
problem solving skills essential for success in the 21st century economy. Creative
Education, 6(03), 380.
MacDonald, K., Oberski, I., Christie, K., & Stears, A. (2017). Innovative co-evaluation and co-
creation of an online learning programme with de Bono's Six Thinking Hats. The Journal
of Educational Innovation, Partnership and Change.
Payette, P., & Barnes, B. (2017, March). Teaching for Critical Thinking: Edward de Bono's Six
Thinking Hats. In The National Teaching & Learning Forum (Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 8-10).