According to the National Autistic Society, 45% of neurodivergent people have lost or left their job because of challenges due to being misunderstood.
In today’s diverse work environment, embracing neurodivergence is both an ethical imperative and a strategic advantage. Neurodivergent individuals bring fresh perspectives, creativity and problem-solving abilities that can drive innovation. However, businesses need the right tools to unlock this potential, such as the Six Thinking Hats® framework by Dr. Edward de Bono.
What is the Six Thinking Hats® framework?
Often used commercially in business meetings, the Six Thinking Hats® is an approach to solve problems and make better decisions, by simplifying thinking processes to focus on one type of thinking at a time. Each “hat” represents a different mode of thinking:
- White Hat – data, facts, information.
- Red Hat – feelings, intuition, emotions.
- Black Hat – critical judgement, caution, evaluation.
- Yellow Hat – optimism, benefits, positivity.
- Green Hat – creativity, new ideas, possibilities.
- Blue Hat – process control and organisation.
When teams ‘wear’ one hat at a time, discussions are streamlined, conflict is reduced and clarity is boosted.
Addressing the engagement gap
Neurodivergent workers often face challenges in traditional work environments, leading to disengagement and underperformance. Standard communication methods can be overwhelming, causing frustration and missed opportunities for innovative solutions.
Positioning the Six Thinking Hats®
- Introduce the Six Thinking Hats® framework to your workforce, highlighting its simplicity and effectiveness.
- Demonstrate how each hat allows for focused, organised thinking, accommodating different cognitive styles and breaking down complex problems.
- Share success stories of companies that have boosted innovation and engagement using the Six Thinking Hats®, emphasising its benefits for neurodivergent workers.
- Provide training sessions on the Six Thinking Hats® equipping your teams with the knowledge and tools to use this method in their next meeting.
The Case for Six Thinking Hats®
- Structured approach, inclusivity and flexibility.
- Clarity and focus, balanced perspectives and improved collaboration.
- Increased engagement, enhanced creativity and better decision-making.
Superpowers for superheroes
Leveraging the Six Thinking Hats® framework can be transformative for engaging neurodivergent workers. By fostering an inclusive, structured environment, you empower these employees and drive your organisation towards greater creativity, productivity and growth.
Embrace the power of the Six Thinking Hats® and watch your team’s engagement and innovation soar:
Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats® helps you explore, develop and implement ideas. It’s also a great meeting management tool. It provides a memorable and practical way to save time when thinking, problem-solving and evaluating ideas. It improves behaviour without attacking it – reducing conflict, encouraging cooperation and empowering both individuals and teams to open up new possibilities and opportunities. It’s simple to learn, quick to implement and accelerates productivity. View the full workshop outline.
As an official Edward de Bono distributor, we are pleased to offer:
- Public Workshops: Ideal for individuals or small groups. See the full calendar…
- In-house Training: Perfect for companies and teams. Enquire for your team…
- Training for corporate trainers: Our most cost-effective training, where your corporate trainers deliver the workshops using licenced materials. Enquire about trainer accreditation…
I’m always available for a chat. So why not get in touch with me on +44 (0)20 3836 8644 or email me AdamP@indigobusiness.co.uk to find out how we can help you.
