Jul/100
Hyper-thinking- App or trap?
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Hyper-thinking- App or trap?
How much of your day do you spend hyper-thinking?
Typical symptoms include:
- You cannot resist the urge to click through your e-mail links meaning your e-mail time expands exponentially
- You suddenly realize you have spent the last hour clicking through site after site (and are not sure where you started )
- You feel secretly a little disappointed when you see no new messages in your mailbox
- Your favorites list is a veritable library (without the dewy decimal system!)
- You find your self twitching to tweet or text.
66% of online Americans use social networking sites today, up from just 20% in 2007. A recent Experian study showed how addictive it is: 43% of online Americans visit social media sites multiple times each day
Warning: the brain is a serial processor-that means that every time we switch to a new task we lose processing time and energy, so the myth of multitasking is more productive is just that-a myth. We all know that to be at our best—we need quality think time and the research proves that to be true.
What is a hyper thinker to do?
- Establish specific times of the day that is protected from hyper thinking—at least one hour at a time, so your brain can actually process without switching and creating distraction. This requires turning off the sound of your e-mail beeping, phone vibrating or ringing at each message and mentally letting yourself free for that time frame.
- Get off the instant gratification train: Most people do not expect a 24 second response. Let your colleagues and friends know your average response time and, unless your job is social media, recognize that one hour away at a time might actually give you some fresh ideas to share online!
- Be efficient—create blog posts and tweets in advance using programs like Tweet-U-Later, HootSuite and Twaitter; Or tools like jott or copytalk to capture your ideas on the fly when you are not glued to your computer
- Get your adrenaline kick by taking a quick jog, walk, or any other form of physical activity. Data shows that it will increase your creativity, energy, lessen depression and improve retention—just for starters.
What do you do to manage your hyper thinking? Share best practices and I will incorporate them in my upcoming writing. Or am I wrong? Is hyper thinking the wave of the future? Let me know!
Jun/100
Opening the Archives: 30 Years of Whole Brain® Thinking at Work
Founded by Ned Herrmann in 1981, Herrmann International will be celebrating 30 years of Whole Brain® Thinking in 2011. As we lead up to our 30th anniversary next year, we’ll be sharing memories, mementos and a glimpse into the historical archives of Herrmann International, the HBDI® and Whole Brain® Thinking.
A Whole Brain® Fashion Statement
When Ann Herrmann-Nehdi made a presentation at a manufacturing plant several years ago, the plant members went the extra mile to make her feel welcome. And they provided her with this particularly thoughtful accessory: a hard hat with Whole Brain® style!
What are some of your favorite stories and memories of Whole Brain® Thinking over the years?
May/100
Innovative Learning Takes on Today’s Workplace Challenges
As new challenges place greater demands on businesses to be nimbler, smarter and more innovative, companies are looking for the most efficient and effective ways to rapidly build the capabilities of their high-potential employees.
With the recent announcement of the US Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Awards, Herrmann International’s program, The Thinking Accelerator™ featuring HBDIinteractive™, is demonstrating that a Whole Brain® approach – both in content and delivery methods – is vital for addressing today’s workplace performance challenges.
This blended learning solution received the USDLA’s 2010 Gold Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming. It was also recognized last fall with a Silver Learning in Practice Award for Excellence in Content from Chief Learning Officer Magazine.
Originally developed with IBM as part of its global new leader development program, The Thinking Accelerator™ featuring HBDIinteractive™ gives companies the ability to meet learners “where they are” with insights into their own thinking preferences and skills to apply Whole Brain® Thinking to improve their on-the-job effectiveness. It is now being implemented by organizations of all sizes and industries in a variety of applications.
Some are deploying it to meet individual learner needs while others are finding it useful in ramping up large-scale initiatives spanning continents. We’ve heard about its role in initiatives to improve teamwork, communication and innovation in addition to leadership development – all the critical skills organizations are dealing with in the 21st century work environment.
And beyond traditional elearning, many HBDI® Certified Practitioners are using it in conjunction with classroom workshops. As Deb DeNure, founder of DB Associates, told us:
“Ultimately it helps learners to be self-directed and learn to communicate in an appropriate fashion for the situation.”
The essence of Whole Brain® Thinking and learning.
Tell us: How are you using the Thinking Accelerator™ to get better results?
Haven’t seen it yet? Be sure to contact us to learn more about this award-winning learning solution.
Apr/100
Putting the ‘Fun’ into Functional
It is rare that anyone pushes back on having some fun, unless it feels like we are doing something “too serious.” Fun is, in fact, one of the most effective ways to engage, learn and gain compliance.
Perhaps you have seen the video on YouTube that shows the piano stairs in Sweden, designed to get people to take the stairs rather than the escalator for improved health reasons. Before they know it, subway riders have actually enjoyed their climb up the stairs.
The current issue of BusinessWeek Magazine has a fascinating story about a new approach to childhood education and compliance for those who suffer from diabetes. Didget is a glucose testing meter that plugs into a video console: Why not make the annoying process of drawing blood for testing something fun?
Research done with our partners in South Africa clearly demonstrated the challenges associated with getting compliance from diabetic kids. The typical approach used by educators and parents focused solely on the rules, schedules and other compliance issues (the B quadrant of the Whole Brain® Model). Once they adopted a Whole Brain® approach – which included an element of fun – compliance happened (and parents stopped nagging!).
What are your examples of making functional more fun?
What could you do in your day-to-day that would take an unpleasant activity and turn it into something really appealing and enjoyable? Share your ideas—we will send a “fabulous prize” to the person who submits the best example.
Mar/100
Brains 3.0: Building Leaders in the 21st Century
With the world around us continuing to change ever more rapidly in the wake of the current global economic crisis, what will the impact be on today’s – and tomorrow’s – leaders?
This is a topic I discussed in a recent article, “Building Leaders in the 21st Century: Brains 3.0” and will be exploring further in a forthcoming book on leadership.
In the article, I assert that the demand for Whole Brain® Thinking is no longer limited to the CEO ranks of leadership. I believe our world now requires leaders at every level to possess the adaptive and integrative thinking that spans all four quadrants of the brain, as represented in the Whole Brain® Model. We simply don’t have the luxury to relegate ourselves to “limited brain bandwidth” in this environment.
The article is intended to provoke thinking, and I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts and observations on the subject. Add your voice to the discussion by posting a comment.
- Some questions to think about:
- How do you define the “new normal” we will see post recession, and what will be the impact on the leadership requirements?
- How will younger generations emerge as leaders? Do you think their very different life experiences influence their level of interest and capacity for this breadth of thinking?
- How will social learning and networks impact how we look at developing leaders and the leadership function?
- What are the most radical “pictures” you have of the new organizational models, which will, of course, require different leadership?
- Should we look for ways to devise a “leadership chip” to insert into peoples brains once we can do that safely? If so, what would be the characteristics? What we would want to keep? Let go of?
Download the full article here:
Building Leaders in the 21st Century: Brains 3.0
Read more and view a video “Learning Byte” on this topic in the March 2010 issue of the BrainBytes™ newsletter.
Mar/101
March 15-21 is Brain Awareness Week
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Brain Awareness Week (BAW), the global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research.
Every March BAW, founded and coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and European Dana Alliance for the Brain, unites the efforts of universities, hospitals, patient groups, government agencies, schools, service organizations, and professional associations worldwide in a weeklong celebration of the brain.
Remember, your brain needs exercise to stay sharp. Here’s a brain quiz to help you keep “fit!”
How will you use this week to sharpen your Whole Brain® Thinking skills and get more from the collective brainpower in your organization?
Mar/100
“My Brain is Full”…Time for Spring Cleaning?
As spring begins to slowly emerge, I am reminded of the natural desire to do “spring cleaning.” We may do that for our homes, our closets or our offices, but do we do that for our minds?
Research on learning has shown that we need to clear some space to allow for new learning to occur. “Much of what we learn in a day, we don’t really need to remember,” Chiara Cirelli, of the Center for Sleep and Consciousness says. “If you’ve used up all the space, you can’t learn more before you clean out the junk that is filling up your brain.”
I know I have experienced that feeling of “my brain is full.” It happens even faster on a day when I am sleep deprived. There is a reason for that: Once again, sleep is one critical ingredient to our ability to refresh and renew our “learning space.” Many have shared with me that a full brain actually prevents them from sleeping, which just perpetuates the cycle.
What are some ways you can do some mental “spring cleaning?”
- Take a “brain dump” break once a day or at least one a week. Depending on your preference, it can be in the evening after a full day or in the morning to get organized, or both. Just writing the stuff down that is floating in your head can allow you to let it go and help move it onto long-term memory. It is even better if you keep a running priority list that you can review and update. (Whole Brain® Model “B quadrant” tip)
- Power up by taking a mini-walk, run or mental breather. Often the “noise” in our heads is the same information cycling around again and again. Just taking a five-minute physical break will send blood flow to your brain, and that’s often enough to flush out the clutter and allow you to refocus. (Whole Brain® Model “C quadrant” tip)
- Leverage technology. Use recorders, smartphones or your gadget of choice to capture a recurring thought for processing later or for filing in your brain dump list. (Whole Brain® Model “A quadrant” tip)
- Treat your brain to some escape. Daydream, take a powernap or listen to some music to calm your thinking and give it a rest. It does not take much to shift your brain state. (Whole Brain® Model “D quadrant” tip)
Oh, by the way, don’t wait for Spring!
Feb/100
Whole Brain® Thinking Killer Apps
In last week’s THINC™ Webinar, Ann Herrmann-Nehdi discussed five Whole Brain® Thinking “Killer Apps” for 2010:
- Accelerating Leadership Development
- Making Connections That Pay Dividends
- Mindful Engagement
- Innovating Ahead
- Thinking Strategically to Think Around Corners
Is your organization prepared to effectively deal with these issues? They’ll not only impact success in 2010, they will also shape how well the organization is positioned moving into the years ahead.
During the webinar, Ann shared some examples of what forward-thinking companies are doing to hone in on these mission-critical issues, and how Whole Brain® Thinking is driving that process.
If you missed the webinar, you can view the recording, 5 Essential Applications of Whole Brain® Thinking for Success in 2010, to see the specific examples and find out what other participants had to say about issues such as customer service, innovation and leadership development.
Jan/100
Get the Whole Brain® Learning You Need in 2010
What learning topics will help drive your success in 2010?
We’re continuing to build our THINC™ Webinar calendar for the year, and we need your input to make sure we’re covering the topics that will benefit you.
Please take this brief, four-question survey to let us know the issues you would like to see addressed in future THINC™ Webinars. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
Get a quick pulse of the community… Find out what learning issues will be top-of-mind with your colleagues this year. The results of the survey will be shared in a future issue of our BrainBytes™ e-newsletter.
Thank you for your participation!
Jan/1011
The Trends We’re Watching in 2010: How Will They Impact You?
From leadership strength to innovation, virtual teams to social learning, faster on-boarding to better measurement, business leaders and learning professionals have a full plate in 2010.
We’ve distilled down the trends and focus areas organizations are talking about into our list of Top 10 for 2010, including the Whole Brain® implications for each of these trend areas.
So tell us: What stands out to you when you read through this list? What will be the top 3 hot button topics that you, your organization or your clients will be dealing with this year?
Share your top 3 and any other thoughts you have about trends for the year in the comments section of this post. A few lucky commenters will be winners of our next prize give-away on the Whole Brain® Blog!
Note: This is an expansion of an article that appears in our January BrainBytes™ e-newsletter. Be sure to sign up if you’re not already receiving our monthly newsletter.
- Strengthening Overall Leadership Skills. With the planned economic rebound, never has there been such a demand for leadership. After a year in which much development was “on hold,” many organizations are reviewing their existing curricula, updating their approaches with new blended offerings and emphasizing competencies that stress a broader range of skills and a need for situational thinking.Whole Brain® Implication: Understanding leadership through a Whole Brain® lens allows for a fresh approach to leader development. I am currently working on a model of the leadership attributes required for 21st Century leaders. (Please email me if you are interested in receiving a copy.)
- A Broader Definition of Diversity (and related talent management implications). Diversity and diversity initiatives continue to play a significant role in the workplace, and the definition is expanding to include such areas as thinking and generational differences. There is also a growing focus on the business benefits of inclusion, beyond an articulation of the process and need. Whole Brain® Implication: When the HBDI® is used as a platform or introduction to diversity, it provides a broader lens for viewing diversity and immediately gives the initiative a practical, relatable and actionable context. A recent article on Harrah’s approach to “diverse by design” teaming is a great example of how cognitive diversity can be leveraged for increased innovation.
- Adapting to Virtual Leadership and Team Roles. Reduced travel and a growing “virtual workforce” have decreased face-to-face time and both highlighted and heightened the need for more effective approaches to virtual leadership, teaming and communications.Whole Brain® Implication: Terrific research on Virtual Distance has emerged, and it recommends the use of an approach (like Herrmann International’s!) to reduce the perceived distance between virtual colleagues and increase their effectiveness. It’s a topic we’re considering for a future webinar if there is enough interest. If you have a particular interest or need, be sure to consult with your Herrmann Client Relationship Manager for information and assistance.
- Faster On-Boarding and Ramp-up to New Functions, Teams and Responsibilities. In light of the desired mobility and shorter job stints of younger generations, the need for rapid assimilation has increased even further. Whole Brain® Implication: Several organizations in the United States and around the globe are using the HBDI® as an accelerator for assimilation and “culture positioning.”
- Developing and Retaining High-Potential Employees. Emerging leaders, or “Hi-Po’s” as they are often called, are a precious resource and will be at risk for poaching from the competition as soon as the economy rebounds (and don’t kid yourself: The best are already weighing their options!). Whole Brain® Implication: As early as in the 1980s, Ned Herrmann used the HBDI® at Crotonville as a development platform for Hi-Po’s. Since then a multitude of companies have found the model to be a good fit because it helps to build off of and honor preference in addition to providing the opportunity for stretching thinking as needed – thus, no cop-outs!
- Building Teams That Fuel Innovation. Many believe that innovation will be the key for succeeding in the wake of this economic crisis. The opportunity is there, but innovating out of the recession requires work at both the organizational culture level and the team level – work that many organizations have yet to take on or simply aren’t doing well. Whole Brain® Implication: In her recent book, The Firefly Effect, Kimberly Douglas, President of FireFly Facilitation, a Herrmann HBDI® Certified Practitioner and a nationally recognized team effectiveness expert, shares a multitude of ways she has used Whole Brain® Thinking and the HBDI® to help her clients transform group talents and energies into innovative business ideas.
- Social Media Implications on Customer Experience, Service and Brand. A recent article in Scientific American Mind on social networks and mental health addresses many of the questions we are asking about what it all means for us as humans. Clearly, there are huge organizational implications as we look for effective, informal touch points with those we serve. Whole Brain® Implication: I addressed the phenomenon of hyperthinking and its impact on the brain in an article last year. With so many communication options accessible to us all, it’s never been more important to look for ways to communicate using a Whole Brain® approach: Who is your target? How do they like to be communicated to?
- Expanding Effective Use of Informal Learning, Social Learning and Self-Paced E-Learning. We have learned much in recent years about the power and effectiveness of informal learning from many thought leaders, including my friend Jay Cross. Jane Hart from the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies is great resource on social learning (follow her on Twitter or check out her blog, Social Media in Learning). The economic crisis has led to a renewed interest in self-paced e-learning and simulations as a viable part of a blended solution. Whole Brain® Implication: The brain is an essential part of all learning processes. As you reflect on your design options, think about ways to use a Whole Brain® Approach to enhance the outcomes. For more on Whole Brain® learning and design, download the recent white paper, The Best of Both Worlds – Making Blended Learning Really Work by Engaging the Whole Brain®, or see my article, The Learner – What We Need to Know, in the ASTD Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals.
- Better Measurement of Learning Impact/Demonstrating Connection to Bottom-Line Results. Demonstrating ROI is still one of the biggest challenges of many in our profession, and with resources tight, the connection to the bottom line is ever more critical. Learning leaders are redoubling their efforts to better measure and more effectively articulate training’s impact on organizational success. Whole Brain® Implication: For several years I have referred to ROI as Return on (a) Investment, (b) Implementation, (c) Interaction and (d) Ideas. All four are vital. What results are you trying to drive?
- Increasing Training in 2010 (but not necessarily increasing resources). The need is there! Many are saying there is a pent-up demand for training and development and feel they have some catching up to do. Others kept things going in ‘09 but see a growing demand for development in a growing (albeit slowly) economy. Whole Brain® Implication: Clients are telling us that the Whole Brain® approach gives them the advantage of a platform for learning that is fast to teach, can address a wide range of applications and has great stickability.
- Bersin Research
- Forbes
- CLO Magazine Industry Outlook
- Elliot Masie Learning Trends
- Strategy + Business
- Business Management Daily Sales Trends for 2010
- Herrmann International’s informal survey
