Whole Brain® Thinking.
Harness Cognitive Diversity.
What is Whole Brain® Thinking?
Start thinking about your thinking.
Every day, you have many thousands of thoughts. And the way you think about something has a powerful impact on both your emotions and your behaviour.
Although your brain is operating on auto-pilot most of the time, it is possible for you to be in control; to realise that you are capable of thinking – and therefore feeling and acting – in different ways.
Whole Brain® Thinking is a powerful framework that recognises your natural thinking preference and encourages you to use your thinking to your advantage – to make better decisions, to process information more efficiently, to interact with others more effectively and to view the world through a variety of colourful perspectives.
The four quadrant Whole Brain® Thinking model acts as both a metaphor for understanding how we and others think and a practical tool for improving results, processes, performance and outcomes.
We all have a “whole” brain, and we all show varying strengths of preference in each of the four thinking methods or styles – analytical, practical, relational, experimental.
As an individual, a member of a team, or a leader of people – in life or at work – by applying this awareness to your everyday situations and interactions, you can realise the many benefits that come with putting more of our whole brain to good use.
The Whole Brain® Model
Registered trademark of Herrmann Global, LLC.
Benefits of Whole Brain® Thinking
Enhanced Problem-Solving
Approach problems from multiple perspectives, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.
Increased Productivity
A balanced approach to tasks, that ensures both creative and practical aspects are addressed, leads to higher efficiency and productivity.
Fostered Innovation
Encouraging innovative thinking, alongside logical and structured approaches, ensures that new ideas are generated and effectively implemented.
Improved Communication
Tailor what you say and how you say it to each type of thinker, enhancing clarity and understanding.
The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument® (HBDI®) is a psychometric tool, based on the Whole Brain® Model and it’s the first step on your Whole Brain® Thinking journey.
To complete your online assessment, you access your Thinker Portal and begin your Thinker Journey on the Herrmann platform. Completion results in your HBDI® profile which includes your four-digit preference code, detailed scores and descriptors, and indication of changes in your thinking under pressure.
These tools focus on understanding and utilising your cognitive diversity while enhancing your thinking agility so you can adapt to fast-paced changes. This knowledge is crucial to improving effectiveness and engagement in individuals, teams, and organisations.
Cognitive Diversity & Thinking Agility: workplace essentials.
Cognitive diversity refers to the inclusion of individuals with different ways of thinking, processing information, and making decisions; shaped by varied experiences, skills and mental frameworks.
Diversity of thought can be a major asset in the workplace as it’s an actionable trait that can be measured and cultivated to enhance team effectiveness. Teams embracing varied perspectives are more prepared to solve problems, identify new opportunities, and craft innovative solutions.
Thinking agility is the ability to consciously shift your thinking in response to changing circumstances, new information, or unexpected challenges. It involves switching between different cognitive approaches to solve problems and make decisions efficiently in dynamic environments.
As the day-to-day mental demands of the workplace grow more challenging, the ability to access and apply the best thinking for the situation becomes that much more important.
Whole Brain® Thinking, cognitive diversity, and thinking agility are interconnected concepts; together they enable a more dynamic, resilient and competitive workforce, better equipped to navigate and excel in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world.
Build team strength and capability.
Team performance is developed by people learning about themselves and how to best work together over time. It starts with awareness of individual similarities and differences in thinking styles, to understand strengths and potential challenges or gaps.
By illustrating to the team how they approach work, communicate internally and externally, make decisions, and solve problems, the Whole Brain® framework provides:
- An operating system: an actionable, business-focused way to leverage their individual and collective thinking more effectively
- A common language: promoting collaboration and teamwork when used to address typical barriers to team effectiveness
- A selection of practical tools: accessible for use every day to improve goal-setting, communication issues, conflict and alignment, and for getting unstuck.
What makes Whole Brain® Thinking and the HBDI® different?
Workplace assessments are valuable tools for people and organisations; helping individuals, teams and leaders improve performance, work better together, and create a more positive culture.
What makes Whole Brain® Thinking unique is that, not only is it the best place to start (how we think informs how we feel and act), it:
- Is a comprehensive approach. Unlike “one-and-done” options, Herrmann’s integrated suite of sticky, digital apps and blended learning provides an ongoing journey that reinforces awareness and will result in a more significant ROI.
- Has widespread application. Almost anything – establishing strategic direction, partnering with stakeholders/clients, delivering projects, presenting an analysis of data – can be considered, executed and enhanced by thinking in a “whole-brained way”.
Every tool offers insight into what makes us tick, with a focus on a specific aspect of humanity – communication style, personality, behaviour, skills, strengths – and each tool can complement the awareness of thinking preference that comes from the HBDI®.
READ: Workplace Personality Assessments: Where Does the HBDI® Fit In
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