In one of my first newsletters I introduced a powerful tool called the Whole Brain Model. The founder of this tool, Ned Herrmann, developed an  assessment that helps individuals discover their preferred thinking and communication style (see graphic below).  By understanding your preferred way of thinking and communicating, and how others think and communicate, you are better able to "flex" your style so you gain credibility for improved results. 

Along with this basic understanding of your preferred style A, B, C, D, Ned introduced the concept of brain dialects.  For instance, when your boss or company declares that they want to grow the business each year by 20%, what does this mean?  Well depending on the CEO or shareholder's preferred thinking, it can mean earnings (A quadrant), market share (B quadrant), human potential (C quadrant) or diversity (D quadrant). 

When your boss wants to measure your performance, they may choose to quantify it with exact numbers (A quadrant), evaluate it against last year (B quadrant) , sense (C quadrant) or approximate (D quadrant) it.  Your boss's thinking style will determine how they measure and reward you. 

Another example of the brain's dialects would be around the word "training."  Some companies will lecture their employees on what they need to know (A quadrant), instruct them in a step-by-step process (B quadrant), facilitate with small group discussions (C quadrant) or develop them by letting them learn mostly on their own (D quadrant).  Again, the thinking preference of the person in charge of training will determine how people learn.

So, what is your brain's dialect?  While looking at the Whole Brain Model, you will notice that you may prefer several of these styles and not just one.  However, you will usually have a dominance. Most physicians will tell you that you prefer one eye or ear over the other.  Or, if you participate in sports you may prefer one hand, arm or leg over the other.  These dominances do not stop at the brain.  Your brain has a dominant thinking and communication style that is used most often because it is natural and easy for you.

Question for You:

Do you have a boss that often speaks a different brain dialect from your own when it comes to growing, training or measuring something?  If you are a boss, are you speaking a different dialect from your employee(s)?

Study the Whole Brain Model above and become aware of your own dialect or preferred way of thinking and communicating.  Once you understand this, you will be able to better understand where your boss is coming from, and instead of being offended or hurt by the difference, you will be able to relate on a more rational level.  You may even be able to convince them to try a different dialect that is just as valid to use.