The method is simple. There are six imaginary hats, each of a different color. At any moment a thinker may choose to put on one of the hast or may be asked to put on or take off a hat. All people at a meeting can use a ht of a particular color for a few moments at a time. The hats involve participants in a type of mental role playing.

People feel foolish if they don’t seem to be able to follow the rules. Here are some of the benefits of the method: