Left (Brains) vs Right (Brains)
The following is a summary of the GMM Gem conducted by Eric at the December General Members Meeting:
There’s two types of people in the world: left-brains and right-brains. This is obviously an oversimplification, but each one of us has in internal bias to one type of thinking. And this difference in thought can keep people with the same goals from communicating well with each other.
Left-brains are more logical thinkers. They like systems, process, order. They like to develop rules and policies. Deliberate thought will lead to the correct action.
Right-brains are more creative thinkers. Their strengths are imagination, emotion and improvisation. Out-of-the-box thinking will get the desired result.
Both ways of thinking have their pros and cons. It’s important, however, to have both sides represented on your team or committee! Frequently though, these two ways of thinking come into conflict. Here’s some tips to improve that communication:
Right-brained? Here’s how to work with left-brains:
- Use your head, not your heart. Facts and evidence will carry more weight than words.
- Systems and procedures make actions measurable and repeatable. They DO have value.
- Rules provide structure – freeing your mind to be creative.
Left-brained? Here’s how to work with right-brains:
- Watch your tone, don’t make things “personal”. How you say it is frequently more important than what you say.
- Resist the temptation to give orders. Creatives don’t respond to generals.
- Empower right-brains. Boost their confidence and pump them up; the results will be far more effective.
The next time you find yourself saying “they just don’t get it,” it might be a left-brain vs right-brain situation.
