The Whole Brain® Thinking Methodology

The most advanced system ever developed to measure and define cognitive diversity.

A woman (right) points to the laptop screen she's holding as she sits alongside another woman.

What Is Whole Brain® Thinking?

Each of us has preferred methods and modes for navigating the world — from which hand is dominant to how we make sense of the world around us. Our thinking preferences affect where our attention and energy is directed and how we process information.

Whole Brain® Thinking is a powerful framework developed to help individuals, teams, and organizations harness the full spectrum of that cognitive diversity. This model acts as both a metaphor for understanding how we think and a practical tool for improving performance and business results. 

By recognizing and leveraging different thinking preferences, Whole Brain® Thinking enables more effective approaches to problem-solving, decision-making, and innovation.

The 4 Quadrants of the Whole Brain® Model

The Whole Brain® Thinking model is organized around four thinking preferences, and each is assigned a quadrant. Each quadrant is different but equally important — no one thinking preference is “right” or better than another.  

We use all four quadrants of our Whole Brain® in our daily lives, although most of us feel more comfortable with certain thinking than others. Measuring the degree of those preferences is the foundation of the HBDI® assessment.

  • Upper Left Blue A Quadrant: Analytical

    • Thinks things through logically and methodically; good at problem-solving and making decisions.
    • Color significance: Blue — clear and to the point.
    • The upper left A quadrant typifies logical processing. The color chosen to represent this quadrant is cerulean blue — clear and to the point. 

  • Lower Left Green B Quadrant: Practical 

    • Applies knowledge to real-world situations; adept at organizing, planning, taking action, and managing.
    • Color significance: Green — grounded and pragmatic. 
    • The lower left B quadrant typifies structured and organized thinking. The color chosen to represent this quadrant is green, suggesting groundedness. 

  • Lower Right Red C Quadrant: Relational

    • Very expressive, Interacts well with others, and fosters relationships; effective at communicating and collaborating.
    • Color significance: Red — emotional and warm.
    • The lower right C quadrant typifies emotional, feeling, and interpersonal orientations. The color chosen to represent this quadrant is red because of the emotional passion implied. 

  • Upper Right Yellow D Quadrant: Innovative

    • Thinks creatively and is open to trying new things; loves concepts,  generates new ideas, and envisions the big picture.
    • Color significance: Yellow — vibrancy and energy.
    • The upper right D quadrant typifies imaginative qualities. The color chosen to represent this quadrant is yellow because of that color’s vibrancy.

We use all four quadrants of our Whole Brain® in our daily lives, although most of us feel more comfortable with certain thinking than others. Measuring the degree of those preferences is the foundation of the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument® (HBDI®).

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How Was Whole Brain® Thinking Developed?

Whole Brain® Thinking was developed in the workplace, for the workplace. During his time as management education leader at General Electric, Ned Herrmann became interested in the effects of thinking styles and preferences on management and leadership development. Based on extensive research, Herrmann concluded that the brain can be divided (metaphorically) into four quadrants. Each is associated with different thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving preferences. 

Based on his Whole Brain® Thinking model, Herrmann developed a series of questions to identify a person's dominant thinking style and degrees of preference across quadrants. These questions became the basis for the HBDI®. 

Left Brain/Right Brain vs. Whole Brain® Thinking

Whole Brain® Thinking offers a more nuanced and comprehensive model for how we think when compared with the left brain/right brain model you may be familiar with.

The Whole Brain® Model doesn't categorize people as right- or left-brained thinkers. Whole Brain® Thinking recognizes that individuals tap into a spectrum of cognitive styles and plots thinking preferences on four scales — analytical, practical, relational, and experimental. These scales are derived from combinations along two underlying axes: rational versus intuitive thinking and intellectual versus instinctive thinking.

This model acknowledges the interconnectedness of the brain's hemispheres, emphasizing that we are inherently equipped to engage all areas of our brain. In contrast, the left brain/right brain model oversimplifies brain functionality by suggesting a rigid division, which does not accurately reflect the true workings of the brain. 

We're all “hardwired” to be Whole Brain Thinkers.

Applying Whole Brain® Thinking in the Workplace

Because it was designed in the workplace, for the workplace, the Whole Brain® Model provides a practical approach to observing and describing our thinking preferences and the preferences of those around us.  Equipped with this knowledge and language, you, your team, and your organization can unlock better thinking, performance, and results. 

  • Individuals understand their thinking preferences and how to apply that knowledge to improve problem-solving, decision-making, communication, productivity, and well-being.
  • Teams build a common language to frame their approach to cognitive diversity, which improves communication, team effectiveness, engagement, trust, and psychological safety. 
  • Organizations leverage thinking preferences via the common language and tools to increase organizational effectiveness, develop and retain top talent, and spur collaboration and innovation.
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