In 2017, while doing a coaching course, Richard was introduced to Whole Brain Thinking. After his profile debrief he went home and excitedly explained it to his wife, who listened without interruption. At the end of it she paused for a moment. She then looked at him and said, “Now I understand why you hang the clothes on the clothes line the way you do.” Richard was very haphazard and inefficient at hanging washing, whereas his wife is methodical and quite precise in how the washing should be hung. This little bit of understanding changed their relationship in profound ways.
Whole Brain Thinking helps teams recognise and engage four key thinking styles: analytical (data-driven, logical), practical (organised, detailed), relational (empathetic, team-focused), and experimental (creative, visionary). By developing an understanding of these modes, your team can communicate more clearly and adapt to each other’s preferences, minimising misunderstandings and leveraging cognitive diversity. This shared language allows the team to communicate complex ideas more effectively and manage conflicts with greater empathy. The tool to measure people’s thinking preferences is the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI).
By applying Whole Brain Thinking, teams can approach problem-solving and decision-making from a more balanced perspective, ensuring that no critical angle is overlooked. It fosters innovation by combining creative ideas with practical execution, and it enhances productivity by aligning tasks with individuals’ natural thinking preferences. Whether navigating complex projects or driving strategic initiatives, Whole Brain Thinking equips teams with the flexibility and insight needed to tackle challenges more effectively and achieve sustainable, high-performance results.
