How often should I take the HBDI®?
Retake the HBDI® every three to four years to ensure your profile reflects current thinking preferences shaped by recent role changes, life events, and the evolving work environment.
Overview
The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI®) is a powerful tool for understanding your thinking preferences. While these preferences are often stable, the rapid pace of change in today’s world means that a periodic "check-in" with your profile is essential for continued growth and alignment.
Recommendation
Herrmann recommends that individuals retake the HBDI® assessment every three to four years.
This cadence ensures that your Whole Brain® Thinking data remains a relevant and accurate "thinking dashboard" for your current professional and personal life.
Why the recommendation has changed
Historically, HBDI® validation showed strong test-retest reliability when an individual’s circumstances remained stable. However, several factors have accelerated the need for more frequent assessments:
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Increased Rate of Change: In previous decades, roles and environments were more static. Today, people shift roles, companies, and career paths faster than ever before.
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The Pandemic Impact: Qualitative data from hundreds of debriefs post-pandemic revealed a significant increase in profile shifts. For many, the pandemic acted as a major life-changing event, triggering shifts in core values and perspectives.
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Dynamic Work Environments: Shifts in how we work (remote, hybrid, agile) have placed new demands on our cognitive processing.
The Benefits of Retaking the HBDI®
| Benefit | Description |
| Evolving Preferences | Major changes in professional roles or personal experiences can shift how you prefer to think. An update ensures your profile reflects your current reality. |
| Contextual Adaptability | As your role evolves, so do the cognitive demands placed upon you. A refreshed assessment helps you realign your strategies for problem-solving and communication. |
| L&D Insights | Use your updated results to reflect on new career options and refine your learning and development strategies. |
| Enhanced Self-Awareness | A 3 - 4 year cadence encourages a "stop and think" moment, allowing you to reflect on your growth and how your thinking impacts your relationships. |
| New Features | Our research and digital platform are constantly evolving. Retaking the assessment gives you access to new analysis, application tools, and insights not previously available. |
How to retake the assessment
To generate a new HBDI® profile, follow these steps:
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Request an Invitation: Contact your HBDI® Certified Practitioner or your organization's program administrator to receive a new assessment invitation.
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Save Your Current Data: Before starting the new assessment, it is highly recommended that you download the PDF of your existing HBDI® report from the practitioner portal. This allows for easy side-by-side comparison with your new results.
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Complete the HBDI®: Follow the link in your new invitation to complete the assessment.