Book 1: Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono

Firstly, I am not going to write this like a book review. So I'll start with the verdict. Its a good book and it provides a really useful framework for better thinking. It uses a principle of hats to categorise or order the thinking process and also to ensure parallel thinking prevails.

"We try to do too much at once. Emotions, information, logic, hope and creativity all crowd in on us. It is like juggling with too many balls."

So, based partly on the principle of parallel thinking it uses a system and structure to create a rounded and efficient way of thinking through new ideas and making decisions.

Like all techniques its benefit depends hugely on how it is used. Applied correctly and used with people who either understand it or who are open to new ways of thinking it can be very powerful.

In a meeting or workshop environment I think an experienced consultant (such as myself - just showing off again) can use this approach and apply it effectively but not too many other people could. This is just an opinion and not something based on research. It is based on professional experience though and it seems to me that soft skills such as moderating and controlling a number of people with ranging experiences and roles would be needed. This is a skill and not one that is provided by the book.

I would recommend reading the book to almost anyone who realises that 'thinking is a skill and can be improved' (Psychology Today).

Thank you to Jacqui Uitzinger @ Monitor Media for introducing me to the book.