Do We Need Leaders Who Are Left-Brained, Right-Brained Or Something In Between?

I have always known that the very best salesperson tends to be comfortable with linguistic and
professionals are predominantly right-brained: I alsomathematical endeavors. Left-brained students will
suspected the Finance Directors and Technicalprobably just memorise vocabulary words or math
Directors were predominantly left-brained - so whereformulas. The right brain, on the other hand, wants
does that leave CEO's and Managing Directors?things to be concrete. The right brain person wants to
My perception was that it would all depend on theirsee, feel, or touch the real object. Right brain students
background but in fact recent experimentationmay have had trouble learning to read using phonics.
currently taking place in the USA, which I am followingThey prefer to see words in context, to see how the
with great interest, suggests that the most successfulformula works. To use your right brain, create
business leaders are in fact "balanced" That is to sayopportunities for hands-on activities, use something real
they have no predominance, so they can think logicallywhenever possible. You may also want to draw out a
and methodically but equally, they can be creative andmath problem or illustrate your notes.
not be confined by paradigmsLogical Vs. Intuitive Processing:
In general the left and right hemispheres of our brainsThe left brain processes in a linear, sequential, logical
process information in different ways. We tend tomanner. When you process on the left side, you use
process information using our dominant side. However,information piece by piece to solve a math problem or
the learning and thinking process is enhanced whenwork out a science experiment. When you read and
both sides of the brain participate in a balancedlisten, you look for the pieces so that you can draw
manner. This means strengthening your less dominatelogical conclusions. If you process primarily on the right
hemisphere of the brain.side of the brain, you use intuition. You may know the
Linear Vs. Holistic Processing:right answer to a math problem but not be sure how
The left side of the brain processes information in ayou got it. You may have to start with the answer and
linear manner. It processes from part to whole. It takeswork backwards. On a quiz, you have a gut feeling as
pieces, lines them up and arranges them in a logicalto which answers are correct, and you are usually
order; then it draws conclusions. The right brainright. In writing, it is the left brain that pays attention to
however, processes from whole to parts, holistically. Itmechanics such as spelling, agreement, and
starts with the answer. It sees the big picture first, notpunctuation. But the right side pays attention to
the details. If you are right-brained, you may havecoherence and meaning; that is, your right brain tells
difficulty following a presentation unless you are givenyou it "feels" right.
the big picture first.Verbal Vs. Nonverbal Processing:
Sequential Vs. Random Processing:Left brain students have little trouble expressing
In addition to thinking in a linear manner, the left brainthemselves in words. Right brain students may know
processes in sequence. The left brained person is a listwhat they mean, but often have trouble finding the
maker. If you are left brained, you would enjoy makingright words. The best illustration of this is to listen to
master schedules and daily planning. You completepeople give directions. The left brain person will say
tasks in order and take pleasure in checking them offsomething like "From here, go west three blocks and
when they are accomplished. The left brain is also atturn north on Vine Street. Go three or four miles and
work in the linear and sequential processing of mathsthen turn east onto Broad Street." The right brain
and in following directions.person will sound something like this: "Turn right (pointing
By, contrast, the approach of the right-brained individualright), by the church over there (pointing again). Then
is random. If you are right-brained, you may flit fromyou will pass a McDonalds and a Walmart. At the next
one tack to another. You will get just as much done,light, turn right toward the BP station."
but perhaps without having addressed priorities. AnIn Summary:
assignment may be late or incomplete, not becauseSo what, I hear you say, has this got to do with
you weren't working but because you were workingLeadership? My answer is simple - we need our
on something else. But because of the random natureleaders to be organised, disciplined, analytical strategists
of your dominant side, you must make lists and youbut we also need them to be creative visionaries who
must make schedules.are unafraid to constantly challenge paradigms. We do
Symbolic Vs. Concrete Processing:not need predominantly Left- Brain or predominantly
The left brain has no trouble processing symbols. ManyRight Brained Captains - we need "something in the
academic pursuits deal with symbols-such as letters,middle"!
words, and mathematical notations. The left brainedCopyright © 2007 Jonathan Farrington.