Left Brain VS. Right Brain: What You Need To Know About Leveraging Both At Work
You’ve probably heard of the idea of being a “left-brain” or “right-brain” kind of person. Think of the left brain as the realm of analytical, linear, and logical thought and the right brain as the creative, intuitive and emotional side.
But the idea of being more of a left- or right-brain thinker has been debunked, according to Verywell Mind. Nowadays, neuroscientists have a more dynamic understanding of the brain. Yes, some brain functions occur in one side of the brain versus the other, but both sides are always collaborating while you think and process information.
Instead of wondering whether you prefer one side over the other, it’s more helpful to understand how you can leverage both in different situations and make the most of your brain power.
“The right and left brains are both important in the workplace, though they often work differently. Understanding how each side contributes to thinking can help you become more effective at work,” according to Emma Williams, a certified strengths and career coach and the Chief Research Officer at HIGH5TEST.
Left brain vs. right brain in the workplace
Wondering what the superpowers of each side of the brain look like in practice when you’re in a meeting or crushing deliverables? Williams says that the left hemisphere is responsible for logical problem-solving and analytical thinking, while the right hemisphere is better suited for creative activities such as brainstorming or developing innovative ideas. “It’s also been suggested that the left brain is better suited for processing details, while the right is good at seeing the bigger picture,” she adds.
According to her, examples of left-brain thinking in action include building an Excel spreadsheet to track the progress on a project or developing a detailed plan for executing a task. Brainstorming ideas to come up with an innovative solution to a problem or identifying strategic opportunities are scenarios where you’d rely on the right hemisphere of your brain more heavily.
How to make the most of both your left and right brain at work
Johann D’Souza, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, a research fellow at Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program, and head of coaching at OptimalWork, has the ultimate hack leveraging the collaborative powers of your left and right brain at work.
“There is incredible new research now on the distinction between the right and left hemispheres of the brain (see Iain McGilchrist, MD “The Master and His Emissary”),” he says. “The left brain seeks the satisfaction of getting things done ,whereas the right brain sees the big picture and seeks meaning and fulfillment.”
According to him, the key takeaway here is to harmonize the work of both sides of the brain by starting with the why, meaning the purpose of the task (right brain), and then setting up concrete steps to accomplish that purpose (left brain). Genius, right? Not only will this help you balance out strategy and execution, but it will also help you be more productive.
“In this way, we do what is important, not just what is urgent, and complete tasks with satisfaction, but according to a higher purpose. This decreases burnout and increases the quality of the final product, not to mention increasing our own personal fulfillment,” he adds.
There are other tricks you can embrace to make the most of your left and right brain while working. Williams recommends adopting the five following habits for ultimate results:
- Utilize all resources available: Draw inspiration from various sources when solving problems. Williams says that you should rely on both external resources – books and mentors, for example – and internal ones – your own skills, knowledge and experience.
- Combine creative tasks with analytical ones: She also recommends combining creative tasks with analytical ones in one sitting, such as creating a presentation by brainstorming unique angles and then using data to supplement your creative insights.
- Make time for activities that tap into both sides of the brain: In a similar fashion, you’ll want to flex your cognitive muscles on a regular basis by tapping into both sides of your brain through different activities.“This could include things like reading up on industry news, attending networking events or taking classes related to your field of expertise,” says Williams.
- Take breaks frequently: Don’t underestimate the power of breaks for optimal brain function. According to Williams, taking frequent breaks helps you recharge and reset your mind so you can take a fresh look at problems from different perspectives.
- Prioritize tasks that require both sides of your brain: Finally, make it a point to prioritize tasks that require both sides of your brain. “This could be anything from designing an effective marketing strategy to creating a project timeline,” says Williams. The more you put this into practice, the more natural it will become for your left and right brain to seamlessly collaborate.
Debunking the idea that you heavily lean towards one side of your brain opens up exciting possibilities. Through the practices above, you can supercharge your thinking and increase your performance on all fronts.
