Ned Herrmann developed the concept of Whole Brain Thinking in the late 1970s at General Electric. Studying how the brain works, Herrmann expanded the concepts of left brain, right brain and of the three-part brain. He identified four thinking styles based on the brain’s physiology. The styles are reflected in a four-quadrant model, as briefly described below.
The A quadrant Analyzer focuses on thinking logically, analyzing facts, and processing numbers.
The B quadrant Organizer focuses on planning how to do something, organizing facts, and reviewing details.
The C quadrant Personalizer focuses on interacting with others, sensing relationships, and expressing feelings.
The D quadrant Visualizer focuses on using the imagination, thinking about the big picture, and conceptualizing ideas and solutions.
Each of us has the ability to use all quadrants; however, most people prefer one or two thinking styles. To measure one’s preference for thinking style, Herrmann developed the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI). The profile shows an individual’s strength of preference in each quadrant. You can use a personal HBDI profile to help you use Whole Brain Thinking.
Whole Brain Thinking has helped me improve my productivity by 50%. I am strong in the D quadrant (strategy and creativity) and the C quadrant (teaching and relating). By consciously tapping into my A and B quadrants, I developed a simple system that allows me to get much more work done in less time.
A left-brain friend is strong in the A and B quadrants. She favors logic, process, and fact when facing a decision that will affect members of her staff/team and the organization as a whole. Using Whole Brain Thinking, she knows she needs to reflect on the strategic impact of the decision (D quadrant) and address people issues (C quadrant).
Dozens of research projects and doctoral dissertations have validated Herrmann’s work. Furthermore, Whole Brain Thinking and the HBDI profiling tool have been used in 25 countries by large and small firms. HBDI is available in 21 languages, including Zulu.For more information on Whole Brain Thinking, read The Whole Brain Business Book and The Creative Brain, both by Ned Herrmann.
To determine your thinking preferences, you may wish to complete a personal HBDI profile to be interpreted by a certified facilitator. HBDI can also be used to profile a team or a business unit to determine the group’s strengths and weaknesses.
Pam Scott is a Professional Outsider, Communications Specialist, and Certified HBDI Facilitator for the Armstrong Scott Network. She is also a member of the Georgia Executive Women’s Network in Atlanta, GA, USA, a TIAW network member. To contact Pam, e-mail her at pascott@mindspring.com.or call (404) 248-9475, Eastern Standard Time.
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