Improve Decision Making Using Edward De Bono's Six Thinking Frames
Edward De Bono’s book Six Frames: For Thinking About Information addresses the way people think in the process of decision making and provides a framework for understanding this. By understanding and using these six thinking frames, one can open avenues of thought and hence business opportunities that might otherwise not be readily apparent. Six Frames is built on his earlier work that some of you may remember, The Six Thinking Hats.
The essence of the Six Frames method is that we have different ways of thinking and as individuals and groups we often get stuck on the particular ways we feel comfortable with. Even as a society we have been taught ways of thinking, based on making moral judgments versus critically thinking where multiple perspectives are used to determine the truth or reality of the situation first. By separating your thinking into six distinct categories you avoid getting stuck in limited and poor ways of thinking allowing you to make decisions by adequately considering all points of view and all available information. Additionally by following the six frame process you can logically move through the different views in a way that flows. The frames are:
1.Purpose, clarity - Triangle frame where the three corners represents answers to the questions why?, where?, what?
2.Accuracy, credibility of information - Circle frame
3.Alternative points of view - Square frame
4.Identify interests, motivators - Heart frame
5.Value(s) of the information - Diamond frame
6.Outcomes and conclusions - Slab (rectangle) frame
A slide deck I found that illustrates the Six Thinking Frames can be found here.
By asking and answering open ended questions (see my article on creating leverage with questions here) within these frames you have a powerful way to “keep it real” allowing your business to be nimble and make decisions that are responsive to its real environment. Next time you have an important decision and/or meeting consider applying the Six Thinking Frames to help you come to the optimal decisions and conclusions for your business.
If you'd like to learn more about how to improve your business success using the Six Thinking Frames I welcome you to contact me at the email address or phone number below.
Written By Rob Pilz © Copyright January 10, 2014 Rev. March 24, 2015 Revelation Business Solutions Ltd.
About Rob Pilz
A senior executive, including former CFO, of public and private companies, I have more than 20 years experience building, optimizing and financing businesses ranging from Fortune 500‘s to Delloite’s Technology Fast 50TM. With a talent for bringing out the best in leaders and an expertise in creating leverage, my current passion is building a network of highly conscious leaders generating a virtuous cycle of positive change and wealth. I am constantly looking for ways to improve the odds of business success and have developed a process combining mind, heart and gut to make better faster decisions that I call Zero Point Decision MakingTM. I welcome your questions or comments to my email address at rob@robpilz.com or phone 646-480-0507.
Related reading:
A summary image of the Six Thinking Hats.
Some useful videos on thinking from the De Bono website.