Traditionally, argument is the basis of our normal thinking. In the law courts, the prosecution takes one side and the defense the other. Each strives to prove the other wrong. Argument, however, lacks constructive and creative energies that are critical to business. There’s a need to design new opportunities, not just argue between two existing possibilities. Parallel thinking or the “Six Thinking Hats†is a method where each thinker puts forward his or her thoughts in parallel with the thoughts of others — not attacking them.
The method is used to focus on particular aspects of a problem or situation that the organization would like to improve. The “Six Thinking Hats†method forces small groups to think in a parallel fashion while brainstorming ideas and solutions.