Who Really Makes the Best Manager? A New Insight into Effective Management

In today's dynamic business environment, identifying the traits that make the best manager is more crucial than ever. Traditional assumptions suggest that qualities such as emotional intelligence, work outputs, and self-promotion are key indicators of managerial success. However, recent insights reveal that these factors may be less effective than previously thought. The NBER's latest research (July 2024) indicates that "economic decision-making" is the top predictor of leadership success, more than IQ, EQ, work outputs, or especially self-promotion. Economic decision-making as a manager involves:

• Understanding team members' strengths and comparative advantages
• Allocating tasks like an orchestra maestro
• Avoiding cognitive biases that lead to poor decisions

Why does this matter? The study shows that good managers can nearly double team performance compared to good employees (in an experimental setting).

This shift in perspective aligns seamlessly with the principles of Whole Brain® Thinking, which emphasizes the importance of cognitive diversity and informed decision-making.

Reevaluating Managerial Effectiveness

The latest research highlights a significant finding: the best managers are those who excel in making smart decisions about work allocation. This capability ensures that tasks are distributed based on team members' strengths and thinking styles, leading to enhanced performance and reduced dysfunction. Whole Brain® Thinking, developed by Ned Herrmann, provides a framework for understanding and leveraging cognitive diversity to achieve this goal.

Understanding Whole Brain® Thinking

The Whole Brain® Model categorizes thinking preferences into four distinct quadrants:

• A Quadrant (Analytical): Logical, quantitative, and critical thinking.
• B Quadrant (Practical): Organized, detailed, and sequential thinking.
• C Quadrant (Relational): Emotional, interpersonal, and intuitive thinking.
• D Quadrant (Experimental): Holistic, imaginative, and innovative thinking.

Connecting Whole Brain® Thinking to Effective Management

Effective managers recognize and harness the cognitive diversity within their teams. By understanding their own thinking preferences and those of their team members, managers can tailor their approach to communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. This strategy is particularly powerful when addressing team dysfunction. A manager who focuses on intelligent work allocation, informed by HBDI® data, can optimize team setup and performance.

Practical Application of Whole Brain® Thinking

• Analytical Managers (A Quadrant): They excel in data-driven environments but should ensure they also consider the emotional and innovative aspects of team dynamics.
• Practical Managers (B Quadrant): They are great at implementation and organization but should incorporate creative and interpersonal elements to avoid being too rigid.
• Relational Managers (C Quadrant): They build strong team cohesion and morale yet should focus on integrating analytical and practical strategies.
• Experimental Managers (D Quadrant): They drive innovation and big-picture thinking but must balance this with practical steps and detailed planning.

Practical Application of Whole Brain® Thinking

A notable study with the US Forest Service demonstrated that teams designed to be cognitively diverse and trained in the Whole Brain approach were up to 66% more productive. This approach helped teams navigate complex problems, enhance communication, and make better decisions. 

Intelligent Work Allocation and Whole Brain® Thinking

The best managers are those who not only excel in their own thinking preferences but also appreciate and utilize the diverse cognitive styles of their teams. By adopting a Whole Brain® strategy, managers can make intelligent decisions about work allocation, creating a balanced, innovative, and cohesive team environment. This leads to enhanced performance and success, proving that good management is a learnable and adaptable skill.

Enhance Your Management Approach

Reflect on your own thinking preferences and those of your team. Consider taking the HBDI® assessment to gain a deeper understanding and develop strategies to leverage cognitive diversity in your management approach. Would you like to explore how to apply Whole Brain® Thinking to address a specific challenge you're facing? Learn more about the HBDI® assessment.