We are only just beginning to understand the complexities of the human brain. Below is a simple overview of the events that led to the interest in Whole Brain Thinking.

History:
In 400 BC Hippocates became aware of the fact that injuries to the left side of the head would often cause loss of or impaired speech, but similar injuries to the right side would not. He made the connection that speech was associated with the left brain- probably the first indication of localization of activities in the brain. Broca was the first to present scientific proof for the localization of a particular brain function (1864). In the 1960's Philip Vogel and Joseph Bogen performed their breakthrough split-brain surgery on a few epileptic patients. They cut the corpus collosum, a think layer of nerve fibre which is found between the two hemispheres of the brain. This operation proved to be successful in alleviating the epileptic attacks.  

Roger Sperry, who had previously performed split brain experiments on animals, together with his student Gazzaniga, conducted experiments to determine the effect of the split-brain operation on the patients. In 1982 Sperry received a Nobel Prize for his split-brain theory and research.

 Left Brain functions

-         controls the movement on right side of body

-         verbal - language skills, speech, reading & writing, spelling. It recalls facts

-         linear - information is processed sequentially

-         organized - information is preferred in a structured and systematic way

Right Brain functions

-         controls left side of the body

-         non-verbal - prefers to work with images, not words

-         metaphoric - creates the metaphor

-         non-linear - holistic- makes intuitive leaps – sees big pictures

-         recalls the face as a whole

Ned Hermann:
The Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) is an assessment tool that was developed by Ned Hermann in 1977 and finalized in 1981 during his career at General Electric. Ned Hermann believed that at the core of Whole Brain Technology was the metaphor of the four selves. These selves are characterized as follows:

The A-quadrant Analyzer
Logical thinking, analysis of facts, processing numbers

The B-quadrant Organizer
Planning approaches, organizing facts, detailed review

The C-quadrant Personalizer
Interpersonal, intuitive, expressive

The D-quadrant Visualizer
Imaginative, big picture thinking, conceptualizing

The work of Ned Hermann has had very practical and powerful implications for my application of the Whole Brain Concept. He is author of The Whole Brain Business Book in which he shares his research findings and tips on applying whole brain thinking to business issues. His work, and that of his company Hermann International have been very influential in my own understanding of WBT.

Kobus Neethling: Dr Neethling has done extensive research and his contributions culminated in the tools I use to measure thinking preference. In 2004, from four quadrant thinking, Dr Neethling developed the 8 Dimensions profile which divides each quadrant into two categories and makes the instrument an extremely accurate measure of preferences.

Neethling Brain Preference Profile:
This gives an insight into your brain prefers to think. Each person gets 300 points to distribute any way they choose between the four quadrants.  

 The purpose:
Greater understanding of self
Respect and tolerance for different thinking preferences
Greater understanding of people
Combining what you love and what you’re good at

What do you gain from a Whole Brain Programme:

The Essence

-         feel good about yourself - you are clever

-         new self confidence

-         rediscovery of your passion - why have I lost it? SOLUTION IS IN YOURSELF- escape to another quadrant

-         job and relationship satisfaction

What's in it for you?

-         personal and business transformation

-         hope comes from inside- find the future pull

-         wings to cope with the 21^st century 

FUTURE is an achievement not a gift!