Left Brain vs. Right Brain (A Scarecrow's perspective)
Indulge me, just for a minute if you will, and drift back into your memory bank to the exact moment where Dorothy (of Kansas) meets the Scarecrow (of Oz). You remember, right? She and Toto, without the aid of MapQuest or a navigation system, start out on their journey to the Emerald City after receiving very direct and poignant advice from the fine folks in Munchkinland. The Follow the Yellowbrick Road song is fading into the background, and low and behold, they come to a crossroads where this colorful road goes in two directions. Dorothy hears a voice, Toto goes crazy, and we anxiously await our introduction to this pivotal character, the Scarecrow. Our first image of this straw-filled, nervous-looking dude is of him with his arms pointed across his body, spouting out the words “this way.” Of course, he’s pointing in both directions, so Dorothy really doesn’t understand what he means. Why? Well, this fine fellow doesn’t have a brain. No brain? Really? I think not. If he didn’t have a brain, than how could he talk? How could he sing? If he didn’t have a brain, than how could he describe his failure to fulfill his primary function, which was to scare off the crows? And finally, if he didn’t have a brain, than how could he become such a close friend, confidant, and the lead navigator for Dorothy on her quest to get to Oz and ultimately, return home. Well, if we dig a little deeper, I think we may find that instead of identifying the scarecrow as a character with no brain, we could actually say they that maybe he just didn’t have one side of his brain. That would be the left side.
We are all aware that we each have a brain with two hemispheres, right and left. However, how much time have we actually spent analyzing this in our lives? Herein lies the theme of this blog. What is this all about, the left-brain and the right-brain, and how does it really affect me and my life? How does is (has it) affected my career to date? The decisions I have made, and the paths I have chosen? Most of us have a dominant side to our brain, and this dominance indeed has a direct correlation with the decisions we make, the way we interact with others, and ultimately, our life’s direction. Most of us know which side is dominant in our lives, but if you don’t, you can take an easy quiz online to get your answer. For example, my brain function is about 60% right and 40% left. I’m not sure there is a correct formula as everyone is different, but knowing this information and how it affects you could be very useful information.
Let’s break this down, as many folks lose track of this over time. Sure, we all learn this at some point in our lives, but maybe it’s time we take a closer look. I have done this recently, with the help of a few awesome books, some intense contemplation, and the journey is fascinating. You see, each hemisphere (right and left) of our brain is responsible for different ways of thinking. For example, left brain “thinking” characteristics include: Logical, Sequential, Rational, Analytical, and Objective thinking. Basically, this side of the brain usually breaks things up into small parts and looks at each individual piece when making decisions. On the other hand, the “thinking” characteristics of the right brain include: Random, Intuitive, Holistic, and Subjective thinking. The right brain usually looks at the whole picture (or big picture) when making decisions. To go even further, the right brain also houses other qualities, like: inventiveness, joyfulness, empathy, and meaning. Let's take this back to Oz and the story of the Scarecrow. Pursuant to what we just discussed, we could make the assumption that he clearly had some right-brain functionality. I’m not sure about you, but the Scarecrow was always my favorite character in this classic tale. He was kind, generous, resourceful, empathetic, and always had a sense of the big picture throughout the story. Of course, in the end, he finally did get his “left brain” and immediately started spouting off a dialog that included many of the analytical (left brained) characteristics described above.
However, it seems to me that he really didn’t need any of those new characteristics to accomplish his task throughout the movie.
Now, I’m not saying that we don’t need our left brains. Of course, we do. As humans, we absolutely need to utilize both hemispheres of our brain to effectively function in life. The question remains, which side of your brain is dominant, and how does it affect your life’s path? Another question to ask could be: “How can I develop my right brain, and can I actually alter the tendencies of each side?” I believe the answer is yes, due to the fact that I have actually increased my right-brained percentage over the last 10 years. I remember taking the same quiz about 10 years ago, and I was quite proud that my brain function was about 50/50. Clearly, I wouldn’t be as satisfied with that number today, as I now have more of an affinity for right-brained thinking. How about you?
In Daniel Pink’s awesome book, A Whole New Mind, he uncovers what I now refer to as a “revelation” for the future about how our brains operate. A new way of thinking for our lives and our careers, so much so that he contends that right-brainers will rule the world. A bit dramatic, yes, but he backs up his statement up with some well documented material, ideas, trends, and strategies. His contention is that in order for us to be most effective in the new “conceptual age,” our right brains will really need to kick into gear. The book definitely has a “career” flavor to it, as it describes how we are now transitioning from the Information Age of the 20th century to the Conceptual Age of the 21st century. Basically, the “knowledge workers” or “left-brainers” of the last century, will be replaced by the “creators and empathizers” or “right-brainers” of the new century. As an example, most medical universities are now teaching courses in “empathy” and “patient care” alongside the more analytical courses like anatomy and biology. The theory here is that in order to compete in the conceptual age, a doctor must not only have the knowledge and technical capabilities, they also must be closely connected with the human element of their profession. There are many more examples throughout this book, and it’s clear to me at least, why enhancing the right brained functions of our brains will be critical to our overall career and life success; now and in the future.
Pink uses the contrast between our L-Directed reasoning and our R-Directed aptitudes to identify what he refers to as the Six Senses. This is really good stuff here folks. I hope it resonates with you as it has with me. You see, with careful thought and preparation, we can all utilize these “senses”, not only in our careers, but in our lives in general. Here’s a brief description of each:
1 – Not just function but DESIGN. It’s no longer sufficient to create a product, service, an experience, or a lifestyle that’s merely functional. Today it’s economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful, whimsical, or emotionally engaging.
2 – Not just argument but also STORY. When our lives are brimming with information and data, it’s not enough to marshal an effective argument. Someone somewhere will inevitably track down a counterpoint to rebut your point. The essence of persuasion, communication, and self-understanding has become the ability to also fashion a compelling narrative.
3 – Not just focus but also SYMPHONY. Much of the Industrial and Information Ages required focus on specialization. But as white-collar work gets routed to Asia and reduced to software, there’s a new premium on the opposite aptitude; putting pieces together, or SYMPHONY. Seeing the big picture, crossing boundaries, and being able to combine disparate pieces in an arresting new whole.
4 – Not just logic but also EMPATHY. The capacity for logical thought is one of the things that makes us human. But in a world of ubiquitous information and advanced analytical tools, logic alone won’t do. What will distinguish those who thrive will be their ability to understand what makes their fellow man or woman tick, to forge relationships, and to care for others.
5 – Not just seriousness but also PLAY. Ample evidence points to the enormous health and professional benefits of laughter, lightheartedness, games, and humor. There is a time to be serious, of course. But too much sobriety can be bad for your career and worse for your general well-being. We ALL need to play.
6 – Not just accumulation but also MEANING. We live in a world of breathtaking material plenty. This has freed millions of people from day-to-day struggles and liberates us to pursue more significant desires: purpose, transcendence, and spiritual fulfillment.
When I look back at the six senses, it looks as though our Scarecrow may have read this book as well. There is a piece of each of these senses that is ingrained within this character. They seem to permeate his straw, which in turn, helps the character ingratiate himself to us and all others in the story. As I look deeply and personally at these items, I am pleased to see that I have utilized much of these “senses” throughout my life and in my career. How about you? On the other hand, at times, I have also hid behind my left-brained analytical (or safe) side, for fear of standing out or being judged. I’m not sure about you, but I feel a shift going on every where I turn. In communications with friends and colleagues, throughout my business travels, and even in everyday conversations with strangers I encounter. A shift towards enlightenment, the six senses, and a more “right-brained” way of thinking. Like the Scarecrow from the Land of Oz, our arms are pointed both ways, because many of us have taken the safe path and NOT the road less traveled. A road filled with intuitive, non-judgmental, and holistic thinking that leads us down a path to find more meaning in our lives. A path that connects us to our purpose. A purpose that can only be filled by investigating all of the things in our lives. Doesn’t it seem logical that this investigation should include a journey into our own minds…..our own brains?
Thoughts to ponder……for sure. Thoughts that may eventually help lead you back home, or to the place you were always meant to be. Dorothy said it best; “There’s no place like home!”
We are all aware that we each have a brain with two hemispheres, right and left. However, how much time have we actually spent analyzing this in our lives? Herein lies the theme of this blog. What is this all about, the left-brain and the right-brain, and how does it really affect me and my life? How does is (has it) affected my career to date? The decisions I have made, and the paths I have chosen? Most of us have a dominant side to our brain, and this dominance indeed has a direct correlation with the decisions we make, the way we interact with others, and ultimately, our life’s direction. Most of us know which side is dominant in our lives, but if you don’t, you can take an easy quiz online to get your answer. For example, my brain function is about 60% right and 40% left. I’m not sure there is a correct formula as everyone is different, but knowing this information and how it affects you could be very useful information.
Let’s break this down, as many folks lose track of this over time. Sure, we all learn this at some point in our lives, but maybe it’s time we take a closer look. I have done this recently, with the help of a few awesome books, some intense contemplation, and the journey is fascinating. You see, each hemisphere (right and left) of our brain is responsible for different ways of thinking. For example, left brain “thinking” characteristics include: Logical, Sequential, Rational, Analytical, and Objective thinking. Basically, this side of the brain usually breaks things up into small parts and looks at each individual piece when making decisions. On the other hand, the “thinking” characteristics of the right brain include: Random, Intuitive, Holistic, and Subjective thinking. The right brain usually looks at the whole picture (or big picture) when making decisions. To go even further, the right brain also houses other qualities, like: inventiveness, joyfulness, empathy, and meaning. Let's take this back to Oz and the story of the Scarecrow. Pursuant to what we just discussed, we could make the assumption that he clearly had some right-brain functionality. I’m not sure about you, but the Scarecrow was always my favorite character in this classic tale. He was kind, generous, resourceful, empathetic, and always had a sense of the big picture throughout the story. Of course, in the end, he finally did get his “left brain” and immediately started spouting off a dialog that included many of the analytical (left brained) characteristics described above.
However, it seems to me that he really didn’t need any of those new characteristics to accomplish his task throughout the movie.
Now, I’m not saying that we don’t need our left brains. Of course, we do. As humans, we absolutely need to utilize both hemispheres of our brain to effectively function in life. The question remains, which side of your brain is dominant, and how does it affect your life’s path? Another question to ask could be: “How can I develop my right brain, and can I actually alter the tendencies of each side?” I believe the answer is yes, due to the fact that I have actually increased my right-brained percentage over the last 10 years. I remember taking the same quiz about 10 years ago, and I was quite proud that my brain function was about 50/50. Clearly, I wouldn’t be as satisfied with that number today, as I now have more of an affinity for right-brained thinking. How about you?
In Daniel Pink’s awesome book, A Whole New Mind, he uncovers what I now refer to as a “revelation” for the future about how our brains operate. A new way of thinking for our lives and our careers, so much so that he contends that right-brainers will rule the world. A bit dramatic, yes, but he backs up his statement up with some well documented material, ideas, trends, and strategies. His contention is that in order for us to be most effective in the new “conceptual age,” our right brains will really need to kick into gear. The book definitely has a “career” flavor to it, as it describes how we are now transitioning from the Information Age of the 20th century to the Conceptual Age of the 21st century. Basically, the “knowledge workers” or “left-brainers” of the last century, will be replaced by the “creators and empathizers” or “right-brainers” of the new century. As an example, most medical universities are now teaching courses in “empathy” and “patient care” alongside the more analytical courses like anatomy and biology. The theory here is that in order to compete in the conceptual age, a doctor must not only have the knowledge and technical capabilities, they also must be closely connected with the human element of their profession. There are many more examples throughout this book, and it’s clear to me at least, why enhancing the right brained functions of our brains will be critical to our overall career and life success; now and in the future.
Pink uses the contrast between our L-Directed reasoning and our R-Directed aptitudes to identify what he refers to as the Six Senses. This is really good stuff here folks. I hope it resonates with you as it has with me. You see, with careful thought and preparation, we can all utilize these “senses”, not only in our careers, but in our lives in general. Here’s a brief description of each:
1 – Not just function but DESIGN. It’s no longer sufficient to create a product, service, an experience, or a lifestyle that’s merely functional. Today it’s economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful, whimsical, or emotionally engaging.
2 – Not just argument but also STORY. When our lives are brimming with information and data, it’s not enough to marshal an effective argument. Someone somewhere will inevitably track down a counterpoint to rebut your point. The essence of persuasion, communication, and self-understanding has become the ability to also fashion a compelling narrative.
3 – Not just focus but also SYMPHONY. Much of the Industrial and Information Ages required focus on specialization. But as white-collar work gets routed to Asia and reduced to software, there’s a new premium on the opposite aptitude; putting pieces together, or SYMPHONY. Seeing the big picture, crossing boundaries, and being able to combine disparate pieces in an arresting new whole.
4 – Not just logic but also EMPATHY. The capacity for logical thought is one of the things that makes us human. But in a world of ubiquitous information and advanced analytical tools, logic alone won’t do. What will distinguish those who thrive will be their ability to understand what makes their fellow man or woman tick, to forge relationships, and to care for others.
5 – Not just seriousness but also PLAY. Ample evidence points to the enormous health and professional benefits of laughter, lightheartedness, games, and humor. There is a time to be serious, of course. But too much sobriety can be bad for your career and worse for your general well-being. We ALL need to play.
6 – Not just accumulation but also MEANING. We live in a world of breathtaking material plenty. This has freed millions of people from day-to-day struggles and liberates us to pursue more significant desires: purpose, transcendence, and spiritual fulfillment.
When I look back at the six senses, it looks as though our Scarecrow may have read this book as well. There is a piece of each of these senses that is ingrained within this character. They seem to permeate his straw, which in turn, helps the character ingratiate himself to us and all others in the story. As I look deeply and personally at these items, I am pleased to see that I have utilized much of these “senses” throughout my life and in my career. How about you? On the other hand, at times, I have also hid behind my left-brained analytical (or safe) side, for fear of standing out or being judged. I’m not sure about you, but I feel a shift going on every where I turn. In communications with friends and colleagues, throughout my business travels, and even in everyday conversations with strangers I encounter. A shift towards enlightenment, the six senses, and a more “right-brained” way of thinking. Like the Scarecrow from the Land of Oz, our arms are pointed both ways, because many of us have taken the safe path and NOT the road less traveled. A road filled with intuitive, non-judgmental, and holistic thinking that leads us down a path to find more meaning in our lives. A path that connects us to our purpose. A purpose that can only be filled by investigating all of the things in our lives. Doesn’t it seem logical that this investigation should include a journey into our own minds…..our own brains?
Thoughts to ponder……for sure. Thoughts that may eventually help lead you back home, or to the place you were always meant to be. Dorothy said it best; “There’s no place like home!”
I felt the message here to be about social responsibility, and the large capacity we all have ,ie: our large potential for positive energy exchange that we need to be aware of and use to raise social awareness, and to bring about change. Things that we forget about by not using our right brain intelligence, both body and mind, and need to settle in and be reminded of, like a 'big easy chair' to the soul..
ReplyDeleteMakes be continually be aware of what is happening all around me and within my energy field, and how that affects others, hopefully to create a constructive and positive result on the environment..and to other peoples lives, and in living our 'best' lives, which will include our most intuitive tones. :)