Taught and facilitated by Hakeem Rahim, EdM, MA, this presentation includes information about Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats Program tailored for students.

1. De Bono Six Thinking Hats Program: For College And High
School Students
By Live Breathe
“The Quality of Your Thinking will determine the Quality of your Future!”
- Edward de Bono
What is Six Thinking Hats?|Six Thinking Hats is an innovative thinking tool that is
effective with both groups and individuals. Six Thinking Hats is based on a concept
developed by Dr. Edward de Bono called parallel thinking. Parallel thinking is the
process of thinking in one “direction” or one “hat” at a time. This is especially
effective in group where participants tend to stray from topic. The Six Thinking Hats
technique is used to look at decisions from a number of important perspectives and
pushes you to move outside your normal style of thinking to get a more rounded
view of a situation.
Why Six Thinking Hats for Students?| The problems of today call for individuals
who can excel in team based collaborations, can quickly synthesize information and
are creative on demand. We can no longer just know information but we must
know what to do with it. The Six Thinking Hats will engage your students in a
method of thinking that is easy to learn, implement, and can immediately separate
them for their peers.
The Six Thinking Hats Overview| Below is a quick synopsis of each hat. When
learned the hats can be sequenced to think through issues, make decisions and
generate ideas.
The White Hat calls for information known or needed. "The facts, just the facts."
The Yellow Hat symbolizes brightness and optimism. Under this hat you explore the positives and
probe for value and benefit.
The Black Hat is judgment - the devil's advocate or why something may not work. Spot the
difficulties and dangers; where things might go wrong. Probably the most powerful and useful of
the Hats but a problem if overused.
The Red Hat signifies feelings, hunches and intuition. When using this hat you can express emotions
and feelings and share fears, likes, dislikes, loves, and hates.

2. De Bono Six Thinking Hats Program: For College And High
School Students
By Live Breathe
“The Quality of Your Thinking will determine the Quality of your Future!”
- Edward de Bono
The Green Hat focuses on creativity; the possibilities, alternatives, and new ideas. It's an
opportunity to express new concepts and new perceptions.
The Blue Hat is used to manage the thinking process. It's the control mechanism that ensures the
Six Thinking Hats® guidelines are observed.
Who should learn the Six Thinking Hats?|Whether your students are in a general
or highly selective college or high school leadership program, a regular or high-
needs afterschool, a part of a student club or a first year experience class, Six
Thinking Hats can be brought to any group of student.
How is Six Thinking Hats Applied?| Six Thinking Hats will give students another
tool for thinking about and solving problems. The Hats will help students learn how
to change from adversarial to parallel thinking,develop “big picture” thinking skills
and a creative mindset and learn how to effectively collaborate on teams. Six Hats
can be practically applied to:
 Essay Writing – Use Yellow and Black Hats for Compare and
Contrast
 Capstone Projects – Use Sequences of Hats to Explore Final Projects
 Group work – Use Sequences to Increase Team Collaboration
 Study Groups – Use Blue Hat for Structure and Order
What students are saying:
After learning the Six Thinking Hats, I feel empowered. When I go about doing an
assignment I have a process…it gives me a structure and organization. I would strongly
recommend it!
- Leroy, College Student
I love to learn naturally, and I am excited because I feel it is going to be beneficial and a
transferable skills…I plan to use this in the future, in my career.
-Chuck, Graduate Student

3. De Bono Six Thinking Hats Program: For College And High
School Students
By Live Breathe
“The Quality of Your Thinking will determine the Quality of your Future!”
- Edward de Bono
Hakeemis doing a great job! Just being a young adult you want your Fridays to yourself but
Hakeem does not make it boring, he makes you want to use it in your everyday life.
-Briana, College Student
Hakeem is awesome, very intelligent and a great listener…
-Leroy, College Student
Want to Bring Six Hats to Your School or Program?| Hakeem Rahim, de Bono
certified facilitator, will ensure your students receive the highest quality instruction
to become confident, competent and comfortable using the Six Thinking Hats. The
ultimate goal of the training is aligned with your goals: empower students and teach
them how to think creatively and collaboratively. This program can be delivered in
a 6 three-hour sessions, or delivered in a way aligned with the needs of the
organization.
Hakeem Rahim, Ed.M, M.A.
de Bono Certified Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking
Instructor and Group Leader
Hakeem@livebreathellc.com
516-984-2927
HAKEEM RAHIM, Ed.M, M.A.

4. De Bono Six Thinking Hats Program: For College And High
School Students
By Live Breathe
“The Quality of Your Thinking will determine the Quality of your Future!”
- Edward de Bono
Biography
Hakeem Rahim, Ed.M, M.A. had the distinct honor of being the first African-American male valedictorian in
Uniondale High School's history. From his professional to academic to community life, Hakeem places an emphasis
on change and transformation. After graduating cum laude with a BA in psychology from Harvard University, he
began working in local government, for two years, under the Deputy County Executive for Economic Development.
In 2007, Hakeem graduated with an Ed.M and an M.A. from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, with a focus on
higher education and multiculturalism. In 2006, Hakeem co-founded the Uniondale Foundation for Educational
Excellence, a 501(c) 3 non-profit that supports the Uniondale School district via supplemental financial and
creative means.
True to this same ideal of personal progress and transformation, Hakeem founded Live Breathe, LLC in 2007. Live
Breathe, LLC provides high quality speaking, training and workshops for stakeholders interested in mental health
education and advocacy, as well as stakeholders interested in instruction and facilitation on de Bono based
thinking systems.
Hakeem has six years of experience in higher education. He has years of experience mentoring and counseling
youth through designated programs as well as through unofficial mentorship. He is certified in de Bono’s Six
Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking methodologies and a de Bono Group, LLC consultant. Hakeem is a graduate of
iPEC, an accredited life coach training institute. He is an experienced public speaker most notably on the mental
health and education topics. Hakeem is a certified National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) In Our Own Voice
presenter. For his work as a mental health educator and advocate, Hakeem was selected as a 2013 Honoree by
New York State Office of Mental Health for the “What’s Great In Our State” Award. Hakeem is also a poet and
recorded spoken word artist.
Hakeem Rahim has been described as:
"Hakeem is a young brilliant and visionary figure whom I support wholeheartedly. Don't miss his vision and insight!"
– Dr. Cornel West
Emeritus, Princeton University
"Hakeem is a man of great compassion, who possesses a wisdom and eloquence beyond his years. He has my utmost respect
and support."
-Mickey Melendez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Counseling Department
John Jay College of Criminal Justice