The HBDI Model

Our brains are a key source of who we are, what we do and how we do it. We know about left brain and right brain from the work of Nobel prize winner, Robert Sperry and others. Another model, the triune brain developed by Paul MacLean, is based on a three layer structure; the reptilian brain, the limbic system and the cerebral cortex.

Ned Herrmann posited four thinking structures that are strongly interconnected and combined the two models to create a metaphorical model of his own:

©Herrmann International

What Herrmann has also emphasized are the ideas of brain dominance and mental diversity. We have four different mental personalities and we differ in which ones we prefer. This has little to do with competence or skill because training and experience may allow us to use any of these. But what we prefer is where we are likely to shine.

Have a look at the full sized image by clicking on the one above and you may see that you gravitate to one or more of them immediately. If you would like to know more about your personal preferences, you can learn them by trying the HBDI Assessment or offer your team the newly released Thinking Accelerator as part of a blended learning program. If you would like to improve your team's understanding of mental diversity - a factor that is as significant in the workplace as cultural diversity, - we can help you with that too.

You might like to read an article on the value of a whole brain team here or return to HBDI Central