Herrmann's Headlines May 2010

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Highlights this month:

Whole Brain Thinking: Ignore it at your Peril

The May issue of the ASTD's Training+Development Magazine features a great article by Ann Herrmann-Nehdi, CEO of Herrmann International. In 1980 they published a series of articles by Herrmann International's founder Ned Herrmann.  Ann discusses what we've learned about Whole Brain® Thinking and Learning since then.

Today, more and more people are talking about the need for Whole Brain® Thinking and "right brain" skills in the workplace.  Ann's article provides important context and clarity on what Whole Brain® Thinking really means and why the concept of "whole" is so important for learning professionals and leaders in the 21st century.

As Ann explains, "Whole brain thinking gives us that 'killer app' to put [diverse thinking] to work and deliver results."

Read the full article, Whole Brain Thinking: Ignore It At Your Peril.

Research: Spotlight on Learning: Yale College, Wales: Using the HBDI to Improve Learning Process, Quality and Outcomes

Yale College of Wrexhem, North Wales undertook a project to investigate the use of the HBDI® by teachers and students. It looked at using flexible teaching and learning strategies while creating an innovative and valuable learning experience for students within a 'Learning to Learn' project. Ultimately, scores improved across a wide range of subjects after the redesign intervention occurred, as shown below.

Some of the project's key findings:

  • Improvements in overall assessment scores and individual successes were reported throughout the College based on interventions using the HBDI®, ranging from a 0.8% average improvement in overall scores to 51.2%. In individual tests, innovations in teaching methods using the HBDI® also led to dramatic results, such as an improvement from a 38% average to a 90% average in one class's test scores.
  • The use of HBDI® profiles provides a tangible focus which motivates the learner.
  • Using HBDI® profiles and employing discussions on learning encourages the learner to face learning challenges.
  • Focusing on learning methods rather than solely on subject content/skills improves teacher/learner relationships.
  • There are statistically significant differences in the thinking preferences of males and females (shown in figure 7 below). This has a direct impact on both subject choice and preferred teaching methods.
  • The thinking profile had an effect on learner willingness to try new teaching methods.

Unlike learning style models that tend to stereotype students, the Whole Brain® approach provides a way of determining more appropriate or preferred teaching and learning strategies based on learning and thinking preferences.

According to Carolyn May, a Herrmann HBDI® Certified Practitioner who was the Professional Development Manager at Yale College during the project, the HBDI® provided the key to unlocking the learning potential of students across the college. The application of the Whole Brain® Model was successful both in terms of student motivation and achievement.

To find out more you can download the full Spotlight on Learning Report, which explores these and other key findings.

Recent News on Thinking and the Brain – sites to boost your thinking powers

Empathy and Violence Have Similar Circuits in the Brain, Research Suggests (sciencedaily.com) Many individuals assume that their big 'green', 'blue', 'yellow' or 'red' thinking under pressure, means more of the same thinking in line with their key descriptors or work elements chosen by that individual.  Recent research suggests that it may not be more of the same but something completely different especially for our 'reds'.  Check out the link below to learn more. http://www.brainplace.com/

In particular see http://www.amenclinics.com/brain-science/spect-image-gallery/spect-atlas/ for material taken from Images of Human Behavior: A Brain Spect Atlas, by Dr. Daniel Amen

The book compares normal and abnormal brain images and looks at functional neuroanatomy (with before and after treatment studies) in strokes, dementia, brain trauma, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PMS, anxiety, ADD (attention deficit disorder), obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders (OCD), violence, alcohol and drug abuse.

How Whole Brain Thinking helped Cookie time renew it's recipe for success

Every entrepreneurial company reaches a stage in its life when it needs to take a giant transformational step. And sometimes it needs a little outside help. When New Zealand's iconic snack food company, Cookie Time, decided to lift its game, it turned to Herrmann New Zealand and its partner eTime. Using a Whole Brain approach they helped Cookie Time articulate its vision and values in a way that everyone in the company could relate to.

According to Cookie Time CEO, Lincoln Booth, "Integrating Whole Brain thinking into our business has had a really significant impact in terms of how we've been able to transform our company into what it is today."

Download the Cookie Time case study here.

Brainstorming, Broccoli and Breakthrough (A'ha) moments

April Certification Course – by Megan Twist

I joined Herrmann mid April and my second week in the role involved a novice's introduction to the Herrmann Certification process.  I had just stepped into my communications role within the organisation and now attempted to get my head (literally) around the key features of the Herrmann Whole Brain Model!

Approaching this with a mixture of trepidation and intrigue, I greeted my fellow participants on the course and was reassured to know many felt the same. Our clients on the course included AUT, Brightstar, Telecom, Genesis, Capenz and Fonterra.  Our nervousness didn't last long as Master Trainer Andy knocked us all into shape and had us laughing within the first half hour.  Andy has an easy rapport and related many wonderful anecdotes and case study's to help us interpret our different thinking patterns and preferences.  I am sure he now has much fodder for subsequent training sessions from the amusing stories we shared with him.  From now on I am quite sure Joseph, one of our newest certified practitioners, will ensure his phone is switched off when he relates tales of his family life!  This particular account had us in stitches.

Our very talented (largely red/green) preferenced group showed superior acting ability in role playing.  Andrea impressed with her vocal range and Chris and Amanda introduced a very Zen (yellow) way of describing the HBDI with the assistance of a chair.

All in all, there was much brain stimulation and application of the card game Diversity, utilisation of Brain mats, role playing and interactive sessions.  At times, my various worlds collided and I will never again view broccoli in quite the same way, thanks to Andy's analogy of the various sections of the brain being much like this vegetable! 

I might imply that more laughter than work was had, but in fact the course was extremely intensive and the really serious stuff commenced when Andy gleefully handed out our assignment homework.

Thank you to our excellent Master Trainer Andy for his instruction, guidance and application of the HBDI. Happy memories abound.

Herrmann Whole Brain Certification in Adelaide and Perth

To meet the growing demand and enquiry for Herrmann Certification Workshops in the South Australian and Western Australia regions we are happy to announce upcoming Herrmann Certification Workshops. This is an ideal opportunity for participants in these regions to attend a local Herrmann Certification workshop so don't miss out.

Adelaide, 15th – 18th June 2010
Perth, 20th – 23rd July 2010

To register for the either workshop please email Irwin Tobias This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For the full list of Herrmann Certification dates please visit the Events Calendar on our website.

Upcoming Events - NZ

Whole Brain Project Manager Workshop
Date: Tuesday 6th July 
Venue: Auckland  - tba

Whole Brain Manager Workshops
Dates: Wednesdays - 18 & 25 August and 1st and 8th September
Venue: Auckland – tba

Herrmann Certification Workshop - August
Date:    Tuesday – Friday August 10-13
Venue:  Herrmann International NZ Head Office

Register your interest for any of the workshops by emailing: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 
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