13 November 2008

Pinto's Point

A whole new mind

By Jim Pinto

The human brain has two hemispheres, left and right, connected at the base. Each hemisphere has unique functions, and the way you use these abilities determines a large part of your personality and behavior.

The left hemisphere is a “serial processor.” It specializes in analytical thought and is responsible for dealing with “hard” facts like logic, rationality, and deductive reasoning. The right hemisphere is a “parallel processor” and specializes in “softer” aspects like creativity and visualization.

An InTech newsletter discussion (www.isa.org/link/PP_082108) on this topic of left/right brain dominance brought suggestions that I should read a book by Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind. I must tell you, I loved this book. I could not put it down. It resonated with lots of life-changing ideas and practical suggestions.

Pink points out that, during the past couple of decades, knowledge work surpassed physical labor in economic importance. And now the workplace is changing yet again. In the age of “Abundance, Asia, and Automation,” power is shifting from logical, left-brain thinking (done easily by computers and trained lower-paid global workers) to people who have strong right-brain qualities. To emphasize the importance of this change, Pink compares the coming “Conceptual Age” to past periods of intense change, such as the Industrial Revolution and the Renaissance.

Pink shows how you can effectively harness certain skill sets in the “Conceptual Age.” The keys to success in the new economy are six senses: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning.

There is a lot of practical advice on how to cultivate right-brain skills. Pink warns people who do not nurture their right brains will suffer in the economy of tomorrow.

Related links:

• InTech e-News - Left or right brain dominance:
  www.isa.org/link/PP_082108
• Review and Buy “A whole new Mind” on Amazon.com:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594481717/jimpintocom/103-0805027-7623017
• Are You Left-Brained or Right-Brained? Take the test
  http://www.testcafe.com/lbrb/lbrb.html

Behind the byline

Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and founder of Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com. Read the Table of Contents of his book, Pinto’s Points, at www.jimpinto.com/writings/points.html.