Unlock career clarity with the Six Thinking Hats  

Posted on 2 May 2025 • Career planning

Making career decisions can feel overwhelming, but there’s a powerful tool that can help. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a method designed to help you see your situation from multiple angles, breaking through indecision with clarity and confidence.

White hat: gather the facts first

What do you already know? What additional information do you need? Research job roles, industry trends, required qualifications, and growth opportunities. A great place to begin is our ‘How do I become a…?’ page for information on a range of different job roles. The more knowledge you collect, the more informed your choice will be.

Red hat: go with your feelings and values

How do you truly feel about your options? Career decisions aren’t just about logic – they’re also about passion, values, and the impact on those we care about. Take a moment to connect with what truly matters to you by identifying your core values.

Black hat: consider potential challenges

What are the potential downsides? What obstacles might you face? This isn’t about being negative, it’s about being prepared for possible challenges. Use the SWOT analysis tool to identify weaknesses and threats while also spotting strengths and opportunities.

Yellow hat: think of the bright side

What are the benefits of each option? Which choice aligns best with your skills, interests, and long-term goals? Write down the positive aspects of each path, for example job satisfaction, career progression, salary potential, and work-life balance. Seeing the advantages side by side can make your next step much clearer.

Green hat: explore new possibilities

Exciting opportunities can emerge when you think outside of the box. Have you considered alternative career paths that align with your skills? Are there lesser-known roles or industries that might be a perfect fit? Explore careers with your OU subject and search for opportunities to uncover possibilities you may not have thought about.

Blue hat: bring it all together

Now it’s time to step back and take control of your decision-making process. Have you weighed all perspectives? Are you leaning toward a particular option? This is the crunch point, but should be easier after wearing the other five hats. If you’re still uncertain, test out some other decision-making techniques for further structured support.

Still unsure? Get our help

If you’re feeling stuck, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our careers team is here to guide you – whether you need advice, reassurance, or just someone to bounce ideas off.

 

Penny Beecroft is an OU Careers and Employability Consultant specialising in supporting students in Wales. Penny helps students navigate their futures, figure out their goals and build their confidence through one-to-one careers consultations and by designing career learning events and resources for the OU. Explore the rest of the Careers Stories page for more articles from the Careers and Employability Services team.