Whole-brain thinking
And 5 thought leaders on why it matters
Is ‘Whole-Brain Leadership’ the key to thriving in a world of AI and automation?
Historically, leaders have been rewarded for left-brain skills: analytical, logical, and detail-oriented problem-solving. While these abilities remain crucial, over-reliance drives us to become compartmentalized, fragmented, and myopic. As AI and automation become more prevalent, human-centric skills like creativity, empathy, and connection become the competitive advantage .
To thrive, leaders and organisations need greater integration of left and right-brain thinking, combining logic with creativity, detail-orientation with big-picture vision. Whole-brain thinking.
This concept has been championed by thought leaders across neuroscience, psychology, education, and business. Their work is reshaping how we view leadership and innovation. Here’s what 5 thinkers have to say about whole-brain thinking:
1. Daniel Pink, Author, “A Whole New Mind”
Daniel Pink, in his book "A Whole New Mind", stresses that the skills traditionally associated with left-brain dominance (like logic and analysis) are no longer sufficient in the Conceptual Age. With automation, outsourcing, and AI taking over many routine, linear tasks, right-brain skills such as creativity, empathy, and holistic thinking are becoming critical differentiators in leadership.
2. Dr. Iain McGilchrist, Psychiatrist, "The Master and His Emissary"
Dr Iain McGilchrist offers a compelling framework for understanding the brain’s hemispheres. According to McGilchrist, the brain’s left hemisphere is responsible for narrow, focused attention, logical reasoning, and processing details, while the right hemisphere is more holistic, broad, and intuitive—processing emotional and social cues, understanding context, and seeing the big picture.
3. Jill Bolte Taylor, Neuroanatomist, "My Stroke of Insight"
Jill Bolte Taylor describes her experience of having a stroke that damaged her left hemisphere. During her recovery, Taylor gained a unique understanding of how the right hemisphere fosters creativity, empathy, and a sense of interconnectedness. Her TED Talk on the subject became one of the most-watched in history, emphasizing the importance of integrating both logic and emotion.
4. Ned Herrmann, Inventor, HBDI Instrument
Ned Herrmann developed Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI)a tool a widely used tool in organizations to assess thinking preferences based on brain dominance. His model divides thinking into quadrants, each representing a different modes of cognitive function: analytical, practical, relational, and experimental. He promotes the idea that successful leaders need to integrate all these modes.
5. Tony Buzan Inventor, Mind Mapping
Tony Buzan, teaches that engaging both sides of the brain, through creative visualization as well as linear note-taking, can boost creativity and problem-solving. Buzan’s work highlights the importance of integrating diverse ways of thinking to solve complex problems.
These thinkers have contributed significantly to our understanding of how integrating left-brain and right-brain functions leads to greater creativity, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility.
At Changebee, our approach to innovation and transformation is grounded in whole-brain thinking.
