Over the years, I have shared the wisdom of Ned Herrmann's Whole Brain Model. This model identifies four unique ways of thinking that I have outlined below:
A Quadrant:
Logical, analytical, quantitative, fact based
B Quadrant:
Planning, detailed, sequential, safekeeping
C Quadrant:
Feelings, relationships, interpersonal, storytelling
D Quadrant:
Intuitive, entrepreneur, imaginative, risk taker
Roughly two thirds of us will use two or three of these ways of thinking on a daily basis. While it is great to have this flexibility in terms of thinking styles, sometimes we need to tap into those "least used" styles to help us problem solve more effectively.
So, how do we do this? If you are a strong A & B thinker, this will require the act of letting go of control. If you are a strong C & D thinker, you will need to add structure back into your way of thinking. Let me give you a few examples:
If you are highly "task driven" A quadrant thinker who wants to stretch into a different way of thinking, try these activities to open up new ways of seeing the world:
- Spontaneously recognize another employee in a way that is personal and meaningful
- Be aware of your nonverbal communication and make it friendlier, i.e., smile, be relaxed
- Motivate others to have a fun "people" event for the company
- Spend at least 15 minutes a day getting to know others personally
- Make a decision using team consensus
If your style of thinking is mostly from the safekeeping B quadrant, try these activities to open up your world:
- Set aside time for idea generation and think at least one "crazy" idea per day
- In your mind's eye (with eyes closed) imagine your organization ten years from now
- Design a logo for your job
- Instigate a brainstorming session on an important issue
- Make a decision based on intuition
If your thinking style focuses on relationships or the C quadrant, try one of these activities to rebuild structure into your thought processes:
- Read and understand the annual or financial report of your organization
- Calculate your salary per minute and per second
- Clearly define business goals for next quarter
- Learn to use a spreadsheet and develop a budget
- Use analysis in your decision making
If your thinking style is the entrepreneurial D quadrant, try one of these activities to build more safekeeping into your thoughts:
- Use a "time log" to record your daily activities and discover how your time is spent
- Create a "things to do" list and check off items when done
- Set a time for finishing a project and finish it earlier than planned
- Arrive earlier than scheduled to the office or for appointments
- Read the company handbook and keep it accessible for reference
One way to discover what you need the most is to choose those activities that you would dread doing the most. In other words, what may drain you the most? I am not asking you to spend a lot of time here, because I know you won't. I am asking you to dip your big toe into these ways of thinking that seem foreign to you so that you begin to create new connections in your brain that may lead to better solutions when problems solving.
Question for you:
Do you find yourself in a mental rut when it comes to problem solving? Are you interested in expanding your thinking into ways that may seem unnatural at first but could open a whole new world for you?
Action for you:
Try starting with just one of these activities listed above. If you really are lost as to how to begin, reach out to someone that thinks in the ways you are stretching towards and have them help you. Here is a hint:....most likely that person is someone you married or will marry as we are often attracted to those that think differently from us.
