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HBDIHerrmann Brain Dominances Instrument Version WebGILLIAN
RUSSELL
HERRMANN BRAIN DOMINANCE INSTRUMENT
Herrmann International Europe102, bd F. Roosevelt BP 237 - 92504
Rueil Malmaison Cedex
Email : [email protected] :
www.herrmann-europe.com
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HBDIProfile Overlay GILLIAN RUSSELL
Quadrant : A B C DProfile Code : 1 1 2 2
Adjective Pairs : 7 9 3 5Profile scores : 102 78 42 57
65% 35%
57%
43%
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc.
1020
3040
5060
7080
90100
110120
130
A
B
D
C
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HERRMANN BRAIN DOMINANCE INSTRUMENTDATA SUMMARY
NAME GILLIAN RUSSELL GENDER F GROUP 41768OCCUPATION student DATE
03 11 2004
COLUMN A UPPER LEFT
COLUMN B LOWER LEFT
COLUMN C LOWER RIGHT
COLUMN D UPPER RIGHT
1021
781
422
572
7 9 3 5
analytical Xlogical Xmathematical Xrational Xcritical
quantitative
factual X
reader Xspeaker
dominant
detailed
sequential
controlled*
conservative
reader Xtalker
intuitive
symbolic
spiritual
musical
emotional
spatial
simultaneous
synthesizer Xholistic
intuitive
artistic
imaginative
financial 2problem solving 5technical 1analytical 5
implementation 3administrative 4planning 4organization 2
interpersonal 2expressing 3writing 5teaching 2
innovating 3creative 4conceptualizing 3integration 5
primarily rightX
some leftright
mixed some rightleft
primarily left
dayX
equal night
none some frequentX
introverted extroverted X
PROFILE SCORESPREFERENCE CODE
ADJECTIVE PAIRS
KEY DESCRIPTORS
(*MOST DESCRIPTIVE)
WORK ELEMENTS
ADOLESCENT EDUCATIONEDUCATIONAL FOCUSOCCUPATIONHOBBIES
HAND DOMINANCE
ENERGY LEVEL
MOTION SICKNESS
INTROVERT/EXTROVERT
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc.
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2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc.
GILLIAN RUSSELL - An explanation of your HBDI Profile.Date : 01
12 04 - Page 1/2
Your HBDI Profile Sheet provides you with a visual plot of your
thinking style preferences.Summary Sheet gives a breakdown of what
quadrant many of the questions fall into.This explanation page will
describe each of the quadrants in descending order of your
preference :
A > B > D > C
The thinking style quadrant you most prefer, based upon your
responses to the HBDI Survey, is the A Quadrant, witha value of
102. Descriptors in this thinking style which you selected are
Logical, Analytical, Rational, Mathematical and Factual.
Thesedescriptors represent a general overview of your mental
preferences in day-to-day life.Work Elements you strongly relate to
in this quadrant include Analytical and Problem solving. These
Elements reflectyour mental preferences at work. Work preferences
may align completely with general preferences, or they may stemfrom
situations unique to one's working environment.In the
forced-choice, Adjective Pairs section of the Survey, 29% of your
responses registered in the A Quadrant. Forcomparison purposes,
your A Quadrant Profile Score represents 37% of your total
Profile.
Your next most preferred is the B Quadrant, with 78 points. In
this thinking style, you selected Reader, with
Controlledrepresenting your 'Key Descriptor' - the one most
descriptive of you. Work Elements you identified as ones you do
wellinclude Planning and Administrative. In Adjective Pairs 38% of
your responses registered in the B Quadrant, comparedto 28% of your
overall Profile.
Your next most preferred is the D Quadrant, with 57 points. In
this quadrant you selected Synthesizer as descriptive ofyou. Work
Elements you identified as ones you do well include Integration and
Creative. 21% of your Adjective Pairsresponses fell in the D
Quadrant, compared to 20% of your Profile.
Your least preferred quadrant, based upon your Survey responses,
is the C Quadrant, with a value of 42. In thisquadrant you selected
Reader as characteristic of you. 13% of your Adjective Pairs
responses fell in the C Quadrant,compared to 15% of your
Profile.
The Adjective Pairs result tells us something about how we react
when under pressure. This may or may not beconsistent with our
general behavior. The distribution of your responses to these
questions into the A, B, C and DQuadrants was 7 - 9 - 3 - 5
respectively. This distribution, while not perfectly aligned with
your profile, is not radicallyout of alignment either. This
suggests that there may be some shifts in your thinking style when
under pressure,perhaps with a less-preferred quadrant becoming more
dominant or a generally preferred one receding into
thebackground.
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2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc.
GILLIAN RUSSELL - An explanation of your HBDI Profile.Date : 01
12 04 - Page 2/2
The Preference Code is a categorization of profiles. It can be
helpful in identifying generally similar Profileconfigurations.
Your profile is double dominant in the same hemisphere.
Double dominant profiles experience an internal integrated
coherence in the same fashion that single dominant profilesdo. In
both left and right double dominant profiles, the two quadrants
tend to reinforce each other. The logical, rationalprocesses of the
A quadrant reinforce the structural and procedural qualities of the
B quadrant. Likewise, the visualimaginative approaches of the D
quadrant are supported by the expressive, sensory elements of the C
quadrant. Asopposing modes, double dominant left might perceive
their right counterpart as unrealistic an unfocused. In both
cases,these individuals will benefit from a greater appreciation of
their mental opposites, not only to improve theircommunication and
relationships, but also to appreciate mental processes very
different than their own, allowing themto more effectively cross
the bridge between hemispheres.
Your preference code is 1122 :
This is a double dominant profile with primaries in the Left
mode Upper Left A and Lower Left B quadrants. It is thesecond most
common profile in the general population, representing 16 percent,
and the most common profile formales, representing 21 percent. The
profile is characterized by a logical, analytic, technical
orientation, and is effectivein rational problem solving from the
Upper Left A quadrant. Lower Left B quadrant preferences include
planning,organizing, implementing and administrative activities. In
this profile, the processing modes of Upper Left A and LowerLeft B
would clearly be the most preferred, and the interpersonal,
emotional, and spiritual modes of Lower Right C andthe holistic,
creative, and synthesizing modes of Upper Right D would be at the
secondary level, yet functional.This profile is typical of those
occupations in technical fields, such as engineering and
manufacturing, financialpositions, middle managers, and in general,
those positions for which left mode processing is clearly most
important,and the right mode processing being necessary, yet
secondary.
Most comfortable communication approaches may include :Brief,
clear and precise info - Well articulated ideas presented in a
logical format - Step by step unfolding of the topic -Explanation
in writing.
The most natural problem solving strategies would include
:Factual analysis - Research - Logic - Re-engineering - Step by
step process - Time lines - Organization.
To make a decision, a person with this profile may ask :Do I
have all the facts? Has all the research been completed? Will I be
in control?
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A TO UNDERSTANDHERRMANNS PREFERENCESA
B C
D
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 1
DISCOVER YOUR THINKING STYLES
My own point of view and that of others: Theperception a person
has of him or herself is oftenmore accurate and informative than
any other. Itcaptures a point of view which can be invisible
toothers. Our research has shown that having a thirdparty filling
out an HBDI gives imprecise results. Ineffect, our own mental
preferences influence ourperception of others, and by the same
token, theirpreferences will interfere with the way they see
us.
When I filled out my profile, I wasnt feeling 100%; will that
affect my profile?Numbers could vary within a range, but not the
overall shape of the profile. Ones mood might have some influenceon
the amplitude of the profile, but not change its shape or
orientation.
Theoretical
A QUADRANT
LogicalQuantitativeAnalyticalCriticalFactual
Realistic
Cognitive
D QUADRANT
MetaphoricIntegrative
VisualSynthesizing
Conceptual
Idealistic
Pragmatic
B QUADRANT
DetailedControlledConservativeSequential
SenseCommon
Emotional
C QUADRANT
SensoryExpressiveHumanistic
MusicalEmotional
Intuition
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INTRODUCTIONThe human brain with some 30 billion neurons is
thebiggest computer ever built. Using todays technology,a computer
with that many connections would coverFrance, Belgium, and
Switzerland combined, andwould be ten stories tall! Yet our brain
weighs onlyabout 1400 grams (3 lb.) and its much more thanportable
computer. Einstein used to say: 'We use onlyuse about 10% of our
brainspotential.' Were we toincrease this ratio, wed be more
intelligent, morecreative, retain more, work smarter and faster:
its adream shared by many. Now this dream becomesincreasingly
attainable as we learn about howknowledge of the brain has
progressed further than ithad in the previous twenty centuries.
Thanks to new technologies which permit one to 'see'the brain in
action: electroencephalographie, positronemission tomography,
magnetic resonance imaging...Ned Herrmann has applied the latest
brain researchand discoveries in developing his personality
inventory.The inventory permits one to become aware of his orher
'cerebral preferences' in order to use them better inones personal
and professional life. Herrmanns ownresearch was financed when he
was Training Directorat General Electric.
RIGHT BRAIN/LEFT BRAINIn 1975, the brain research of Sperry,
began to revealthe dual cerebral functioning of the brain. Sperry
usedpathology to learn facts about the functioning of anormal
brain. By observing patients who had their brainhemispheres
separated by a procedure to sever thecorpus collossum in order to
cure epilepsy, Sperrymade a multitude of discoveries. For example,
the leftside of the brain, which controlled the right hand,appeared
to have the function of logical, analytical,sequential and rational
thinking. Inversely, the righthemisphere tends to perceive the
world and otherpeople in a global mode, instantaneous,
intuitive,visual, synthesizing, emotional and expressive. It
findssolutions through sudden and global intuition, leavingto the
left hemisphere, the job of proving them inlogical, analytical and
scientific manner. The lefthemisphere breaks down everything into
differentelements; the right hemisphere, on the other
hand,considers the global whole and searchessystematically for
connections, analogies, similarities.
This has been demonstrated and observed again andagain in
laboratory tests, as well as evident in healthysubjects and
patients with lesions in one or the otherhemisphere. For example, a
victim of damage to theright brain wont recognize people or streets
in hishometown. Someone with damage to the left brain willnot be
able to express himself easily and may have tobegin relying on such
elements as word and sentenceintonation to regain language ability.
Ned Herrmanntakes the differentiation a step further, in that
hesubdivides the hemispheres into cortical (the upperpart), and the
limbic (the lower part). The limbic systemsits in the center of the
brain. It is the principal locationfor emotion, humor and memory.
It directs our affectiveand interpersonal behavior. It filters
informationaccording to structure imposed the cerebral
cortex.Herrmann synthesized this body of research into thefour
quadrant table:
Cerebral Left (A) Cerebral Right (D)Logical,
Analytic,Mathematic, Technic,Problem solving.
Creative, Synthesizer,Artistic, Holistic,
Conceptual.
Limbic Left (B) Limbic Right (C)Controlled,
Observateur,Planning, Organization,Administrative.
Interpersonal, EmotionalMusical, Spiritual,
Speaker.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 2
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TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DIFFERENCESIn the US, Ned Herrmann is
recognized as founder ofbrain technology. He founded the company
AppliedCreative Services which has conducted successfulmanager
seminars for such well known corporationsas: IBM, 3M, Rank-Xerox,
etc.
Why this success? Because this new tool permitsparticipants to
become conscious of their own cerebralpreferences and their own
thinking style.
For example, a left dominant person will feel more atease in a
technical job - one that requires organization,programming, and
administration.
This type of individual reasons logically concerningverified
facts and follows an observable method; heavoids fantasy, novelty
and recasts such into classicalformulas...
The right brainer, enjoys new ideas and
interpersonalinvolvement; he communicates symbolically ratherthan
by pure reason, in picture, rather than by word. Byall evidence,
these aspects of communication andperception are opposite, yet
complimentary.
TWO DIFFERENT WAYS TO SOLVE PROBLEMSEveryone has his own
particular way to face and solveeveryday problems. A right-brainer
proceeds in a startand stop mode with periods of insight and
incubation:he may take a step back and see the big picture withall
the relationships between varying elements. Hethinks and
understands by analogy. He does this bymaking connections between
elements which at firstglance seem remote and unrelated - things
that wouldappear 'illogical' to a 'left-brainer'. The
left-brainerprefers a more methodical approach, step by
step,beginning with detailed observation of the facts
beforecontinuing to form a solution. This approach wouldappear
sterile and boring to the 'right-brainer' whowould have difficulty
even playing along.
This is what participants discover through a number
ofexperiments and demonstration during a seminar.They raise their
awareness, in a true to life way, thattheir own way of thinking is
not the only way, and thatsome approaches to problems require
different typesof thinking. Herrmann insists, 'each person is
unique;people interact spontaneously as a function of theircerebral
preferences. A 'right-brainer' will feel out ofplace surrounded by
a group of 'left-brainers'. Thebottom line is to recognize that an
individual must seekbeyond his or her own preference to find the
bestapproach to problem solving.
PUTTING AN INDIVIDUAL ONTO A TEAMThe distinctions between
scientists and artists,engineers and salesmen are as old as the
world itself.Statistical studies of Herrmann profiles have
identified'typical profiles' for different careers fields and
jobdescriptions. In a study of hospital personnel revealdominance
differences among the varying jobs:Specialists = A quadrant;
Administrators = B quadrant;Nurses = C quadrant; Psychiatrists = D
Quadrant.
Is it any wonder that sometimes there is tension in thehospital
environment?
Herrmann has also demonstrated that directors andCEOs are mostly
multidominant - even with three orfour dominant quadrants, as
opposed to single or dualdominant specialists. Ones work can
certainly affectones cerebral preferences.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 3
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HERRMANN SEMINARS
SEMINAR ADAPTED FROM NED HERRMANN'S 'BRAIN UPDATE'.
Objective : Learn about the functioning of the human brain and
raise awareness of the connectionsbetween cerebral preferences and
behavior and management styles.
Target audience: Supervisors and human resource managers.
Duration : 2 days.
PERSONNEL AND TEAM EFFICIENCY
Objective : Improve the efficiency of work groups. The ability
of a team is the sum of individualcompetencies. But sometimes the
group synergy can be hampered by the diversity of thegroupThis
seminar is designed to:- precisely determine commonalties and
points of opposition in the composition of a group.- transform
divergence into convergence.- increase individual and group
performance.
Target audience: Members of work groups. (may be same management
level or mixed)
Duration : 2 days.
WHOLE BRAIN PROBLEM SOLVING
Objective : This seminar has a double objective:1) Solving an
immediate professional problem.2) Learn an efficient method for
problem solving. The 'whole brain' method is used in businessevery
day.
Target audience: team members who are motivated and prepared to
learn.
Duration : 2 or 3 days; with a follow up after 4 weeks.
TRAINING TRAINERS AND PRACTITIONERS OF THE HERRMANN MODEL
Objective : This seminar has a double objective:1) Solving an
immediate professional problem.2) Learn an efficient method for
problem solving. The 'whole brain' method is used in businessevery
day.
Target audience: Human resource managers.
Duration : a combination of the preceding seminars plus a
follow-up.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 4
Herrmann International Europe102, bd F. Roosevelt BP 237 - 92504
Rueil Malmaison CedexTl.: 01 47 51 31 15 - Fax : 01 47 51 33
28Email : [email protected] :
www.herrmann-europe.com
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B READING YOURPROFILE STEP BY STEPYOUR PREFERENCE CODE IS :
1122This consists of four numbers placed in order of thequadrants:
ABCD. The terms 'Primary, Secondary,and Tertiary' are used to
designate the 1, 2, 3 zonesof the profile grid.
A
B C
DLogicalAnalyticalTechnicalMathematicalProblem Solving
ArtisticHolistic
ImaginativeSynthesizing
Conceptualising
PlanningControlledConservativeAdministrativeOrganisational
TalkerSpiritualMusical
EmotionalInterpersonal
Preferences codes
- PRIMARY: (Code 1= total over 66) In a given quadrant a primary
indicates a distinct preference for the typeof activities relevant
to that quadrant. Every profile will have at least oneprimary
score, but could have as many as four.A result above 100 represents
a very strong preference, often easilyrecognised by other people.-
SECONDARY: (Code 2 = 34-66 inc.) A secondary in your profile
indicates a comfort zone in the types ofactivities of that
quadrant.
It is still a preference, but clearly secondary to your primary
(orprimaries).- TERTIARY: (Code 3 = 0 to 33 inc.) A tertiary
indicates a lack of preference and thus an avoidance ofactivities
representative of the quadrant. In a profile, a tertiaryreinforces
the preferences of the primary situated diagonallyopposite it.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 5
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You have just received your profile of mental preferences.You
now want to understand the significance of the results.
You want to learn some applications to help youon your path to
personal development.
This guide was created to help you.
YOUR PROFILE COMPRISES 2 COMPLEMENTARY PAGES
The first page is the visual profile. It is a graphic of
4diagonal calibrated axes marked according to yourresponses to the
questionnaire. It is a visualrepresentation which synthesizes your
responses andreflects your profile globally.
The second page is the 'Data Summary'. It is a tableconsisting
of four columns that transcribes yourresponses to the Instrument
into numeric values. Itcreates a representation of your profile at
oncesequential, linear, detailed and quantified.
THE VISUAL PROFILE
To create the graphic representation of your profile, wetook the
profile score from the first line of the Datasummary sheet. These
values are placed along thediagonal axes.At the 4 cardinal points
of the graph you can see 4percentages representing your preferences
for theUpper, Lower, Left and Right Modes.- The Upper Mode,
combining quadrants A and D,metaphorically represents the cerebral
hemispheres ofthe brain. This mode is more cognitive and
intellectual,preferring thinking in abstract, conceptual modes.-
The Lower Mode, combining quadrants B and C, is ametaphor for the
left and right halves of the limbicsystem of the brain.
Limbic processing is grounded, emotional, andinstinctual in
nature. This mode often prefers visceral,'gut' and concrete
approaches.- The Left Mode, combining the A and B
quadrantsmetaphorically portrays the left halves of the
brainscerebral cortex and the limbic system. This modeprefers
concise, efficient processes with realistic,disciplined, and
orderly approaches.- The Right Mode, combining the C and D
quadrantsmetaphorically portrays the right halves of the
brainscerebral cortex and the limbic system. Key mentalprocesses in
this mode include intuitive and perceptivethinking as well as
idealistic, expressive, openapproaches.
THE DATA SUMMARY SHEET
This page gives you the aggregate results of tabulatingyour
results from the HBDI.The purpose of this report is to remind you
of yourresponses to many of the questions in the HBDI surveyand to
clarify which specific elements in each quadrantyou prefer.
The four columns represent the Quadrants from left toright ABCD
:
- The A and B columns correspond to left brain mode.- The C and
D columns correspond to right brain mode.
PROFILE SCORES
This line shows the total score for each quadrant A, B,C, and
D.
These are the figures used to plot the graphic on pageone. The
'Preference code' are discussed on the frontof this leaflet.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 6
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ADJECTIVE PAIRSThese scores relate to a 24-question 'forced
choice'section of the questionnaire (questions 76 - 99).
Thissection pairs each descriptor against the other
threequadrants.If the spread of these scores is in
approximatecorrelation to your profile score, this shows
entireconsistency.
If the spread of adjective pairs is significantly different,it
indicates that, when filling out the survey, you weresomewhat
inconsistent. This usually means that youhave a slightly different
backup style, or shift thinkingpatterns in tense situations.
KEY DESCRIPTORSThis section is a simple transcription of the
choices youmade in the 'Key Descriptors' section of the surveyform
(questions 26 - 50). Your answers have beenindicated in the column
relating to the quadrant towhich they belong.
The asterisk denotes the key word you chose as beingthe most
descriptive.
WORK ELEMENTSThis section relates to questions 10 - 25 of the
surveyform headed Work Elements. On the form, we askedyou to rank
various aspects of the workplace in orderof your strength and
preference rating them on a scaleof 1 - 5. Your answers have been
reproduced here byquadrant.
You may find it interesting to compare the weighting ofthese
subjects to the chosen 'key descriptors' above inorder to gain an
idea of how your working activitiescorrespond to your overall
general preferences.
ADOLESCENT EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL FOCUS, OCCUPATION HOBBIESThis
section provides additional clues about the tilt ofyour mental
preferences through understandingpreferred subjects in school,
educational andoccupational choices, and how you spend your
leisuretime.
Research has shown that many of our thinking stylepreferences
are developed or acquired from theinfluence of our environment.
HAND DOMINANCEHand dominance is readily recognised. Most of
usconsider ourselves either left or right handed.Handedness
provides a simple example of the bodystendency towards dominance in
paired structures.Analysis of our data indicates a slight
connectionbetween left handedness and right brain dominanceand
right handedness and left brain dominance,therefore we are
continuing to gather data for furtherresearch.
You were asked (questions 5 & 6) to choose thediagram which
corresponded most closely to the wayyou hold your pen, this
provides another interestingresearch opportunity. Handwriting has a
connection tolanguage processing - a powerful mental
process.Current research indicates that language is
processedprimarily in the left cerebral hemisphere for mostpeople,
but in a more distributed fashion for some lefthandlers and
ambidextrous individuals.
ENERGY LEVEL AND MOTION SICKNESSThis corresponds to the
questions about day/night timeenergy and about motion sickness
(questions 73 - 75).In very general terms, people who are left
modedominant are frequently more morning or day people :right brain
thinkers more night people.Left brain people tend to have the
ability to deal withfacts and information sequentially and seem to
have
the inner control to make an executive decision toeither go with
the information from the eye or the earbut not both at once. Right
brain people have a largetolerance for ambiguity and tend to take
note of bothpieces of information and may end up nauseous as
aresult.However, the above is a tendency and there are
manyexceptions to the trend.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 7
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INTROVERT/EXTROVERTYour self-placement in the
introvert/extrovert scale onthe survey is replicated on the report.
In very generalterms, introverts tend to be more left mode
orientedand extroverts more right mode oriented.
However, each quadrant may have its own continuumof introvert to
extrovert and thus, its own interpretationand impact :
A QuadrantIntrovert: Quiet, serious, very focused.Extrovert:
Debater, often funny, driven.
B QuadrantIntrovert: Controlled, always 'doing', often keeps to
self.Extrovert: Dominant, 'organiser' of events and people.
D QuadrantIntrovert: Off in own world, does 'own thing',
loner.Extrovert: Constant flow of ideas, loves to experimentwith
others, have fun.
C QuadrantIntrovert: Expressive through writing or
nonverbals.Extrovert: Talkative, interested in bringing
peopletogether, sharing.
IMPORTANT NOTESRemember that your profile is not 'good' or
'bad', 'right'or 'wrong'. It is just a representation of your
preferredmental processing styles.The use of a metaphor, based on
simplified knowledgeof the working of the brain, greatly
assistscomprehension of the different styles measured. Theconcept
of dominance is often evident wherever thereare two of anything in
the human body.
In most cases we naturally choose to use a certainhand, foot or
eye in preference to the other and thenreinforce this with
continued and habitual use. Thisdoes not, of course, reflect less
potential for effectiveuse of the other: the same pattern
frequently emergeswith a dominant thinking style. A preference
ordominance does not indicate competence. Althoughthere is a link -
the two terms represent two distinctideas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSIS THE HBDI VALIDATED?Yes,
Psychometric experts in the field feel that theHBDI is strongly
validated. Validation studies havebeen under way for over 15 years.
The early studieswere conducted in Berkley, California using a dual
leftbrain/right brain EEG apparatus, plus the first MindMirror used
in the USA. Following, there were threeseparate validation studies
supervised by C. VictorBunderson, formerly Chief Scientist of WICAT
and lateVice President for Management Research at EducationTesting
Service. These comprehensive studies aresummarised in the
validation appendix of 'The CreativeBrain' by Ned Herrmann. An
additional study wasconducted in the early 80s by Schkade and
Potvin ofthe University of Texas. The Husky validation of
theinstrument is continuously affirmed by documentedworkshop
experiences, plus more than fifty doctoraldissertations and studies
by students and researcherswho have based their work on the HBDI.
Continuingvalidation studies are conducted as part of theresearch
and development effort of HerrmannInternational.
IS THERE AN IDEAL PROFILE?Yes. Yours! One of the most
appreciated aspect of theHBDI is that it shows us you can be
'great' whateveryour profile.
People often think that being Whole Brained would beideal but,
like any profile, this may be felt to have itsdisadvantages as well
as its advantages. The HBDI isa tool provided to encourage us to
understand ourstrengths and weaknesses, preferences andavoidances.
We can then, if desired, find strategies tolearn competencies in
those areas of weakness. Bydoing this we widen our scope for using
differentmodes without compromising our preferences.
ARE THERE ANY 2222 OR 3333 PROFILES?No. Such a profile wouldnt
indicate a preference at alland would represent a contradiction to
the point of theinstrument, which is to identify mental
preferences.Everyone has at least one preference if not
several;two, three or four.
MY FAVOURITE HOBBY WASNT LISTED - DOESTHAT AFFECT MY PROFILE?Not
much. Hobbies are scored, not on thecharacteristics of the hobbies,
but rather thecharacteristics of the people who engage in that
hobby.People are inclined to choose their hobbies in line withtheir
mental preferences.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 8
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I AM VERY STRONG IN ONE OF THE QUADRANTSBUT NOT ALL OF THE
DESCRIPTORS DESCRIBE ME,HOW DOES THIS WORK?Each quadrant is made up
of several clusters ofspecialised thinking which are represented on
the profileby the key descriptors and work elements.
Havingpreferences for any of the clusters within a quadrant doesnot
necessarily mean that every cluster comes easily toyou. For
example, many people who have a very strongpreference in the D
Quadrant protest that they are notparticularly artistic, but this
does not in any way weakenany of their other preferences within
that quadrant.Looking at the concept of clusters is also valuable
forthose people wanting to access a less preferred
quadrant.Sometimes a way to develop greater ease within aparticular
quadrant is to look at what you may enjoy doing- or do successfully
- in that quadrant already and putmore time, effort and energy into
those tasks.
I UNDERSTAND LEFT BRAIN/RIGHT BRAIN, BUT NOTCEREBRAL/LIMBIC.
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?The cerebral mode is typified by cognitive,
intellectual andreasoned ways of thinking. In contrast, the limbic
moderepresents the visceral, gut level, ways of knowing.
Thecharacteristics of the cerebral and limbic modes are justas
important in establishing a persons distribution ofmental
preferences, as are the differences between thebetter known left
and right mode.
CAN MY PROFILE CHANGE?Yes. Longitudinal studies of hundreds of
HBDIparticipants indicate that change can take place if there isa
reason for it. Change seems to take place over a longperiod of time
with an individuals desire and willingnessto change, or very
quickly with a change in their lifescircumstances, or as result of
a significant emotionalevent. However, if nothing has happened to
the individualand they continue to do the same things in the same
way,then the profile will remain stable. Research questions onthe
back of the form (this data is used with namesremoved) are designed
to aid our continuing studies inthis area.
IS THE BASIS OF BRAIN DOMINANCE MORE TO DOWITH NATURE OR
NURTURE?It is both. However, we hold the opinion that for most of
usnurture represents the greater impact. Whilst there willalways be
exceptions, we feel that, on average, nurturerepresents 70% of who
we are compared to 30% fornature. It is the profound influence of
parenting, schooling,friendships, work and life experiences that
shape ourmental preferences that in turn lead us to do what we
dothe way we do it. We consider this a message of hopebecause, if
we can change what is happening to us, wecan - if we choose to -
also change ourselves.Observation and feedback from many hundreds
ofparticipants in our workshops clearly demonstrates thecapability
of people to change if they wish to do so.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 9
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Rueil Malmaison CedexTl.: 01 47 51 31 15 - Fax : 01 47 51 33
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C HOW DOES YOUR PROFILECOMPARE TO OTHERS?IMPORTANTCompetence and
preferences are two differentthings. The HBDI profile measures your
preferences.Knowledge of your preferred processing modesilluminates
to what degree of satisfaction or comfortyou have in your career
when you encounter : - a learning situation- or difficult
interpersonal communication situations.
A
B C
DScientific
Technical
Financial
Legal
Artistic
TroubleshooteursEntrepreneurialDevelopmental
ServiceSupervisoryAdministrativeManagerial
SupportiveSocial/Helping
EducationalExpressive
Your profile is a representation of your mental preferences. Our
jobsand our education both have a great impact on our preferences.
TheHBDI addresses not only these aspects but also include
questionspertaining to leisure and words you use to describe
yourself. Thus, theinstrument is designed to consider many aspects
of a persons life incomposing a profile. The degree of job
satisfaction equals thecorrespondence between an individuals
profile and the general profilefor his occupation.
Superimpose your profile on this page and compare its
orientationwith different groups of professions. Consider your
interests andsuccesses in your professional and personal lives.
Where wouldyou place your coworkers and family? How are their
preferencessimilar or different from yours? Our statistics have
shown a strongcorrelation between job satisfaction and how well a
job matchesones profile. We have a tendency to orient ourselves
towardprofessions which attract us and bring us satisfaction.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 10
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PRINCIPAL PROFILES GROUPINGS
NOTES VALID FOR ALL PROFILESHeres the description of the 32 most
frequent profilefamilies. All profiles are presented in this manner
for apurpose.To understand in depth the uniqueness of a profile
onemust compare it to all others. Descriptions of thefamilies of
profiles make up only one approach forinterpreting your profile.
Compare these observationswith the data on your own Consolidated
data sheet.Each family is listed as a four digit code - in the
order:ABCD.
Remember within each quadrant:- 1 corresponds to a strong
preference (above 66).- 2 corresponds to general utilization (33 -
66)- 3 is a negative preference - that is, an avoidance(0-33)
example: 2-3-1-1 - utilizes quadrant A;- avoids quadrant B; - C and
D are preferential modes (both 1s).
FREQUENCY OF TYPICAL PROFILESTwo facts are clear from the study
of 5000 profiles NedHermann used for this study.
- The aggregate total of all profiles gives a 1-1-1-1profile.
This will be true of most statistically significantgroups of
profiles. You see, the world compositereveals a 'whole brain' -
When you compare composites of groups byprofession to an individual
in that profession, you seestrong correlation. This is a
statistical phenomenon. Exceptions do occur.
The percentage of people having single, double, tripleor
quadruple dominance :
- single 5%;- double 58%;- triple 34%;- quadruple 3%.
The numbers come from studies by Ned Hermann inthe US. These
numbers alone can answer thequestion: 'Is my profile rare or
common?'Following is a brief general description of profilefamilies
and their statistical occurrence.
SINGLE DOMINANT PROFILESThis group of profile has only one
primary andrepresents only 5% of the total population.The primary
preferences are distributed across all fourquadrants.One advantage
of these profiles is that they representmental preferences which
are clear cut an show arelative lack of conflict with other
quadrant preferences.Thus, the internal mental process is coherent
andpredictable.However, this singular dominance makes
externalinteraction somewhat more challenging.
This is especially true when the other individual doesnot share
the same singular preference.These individuals function effectively
in diverse groups,which celebrate differences when there is a clear
valuefor diversity of the group.The latter situation allows the
single dominantindividual to grow through synergy, bringing
togethertheir mental diversity.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 11
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DOUBLE DOMINANT PROFILESLEFT OR RIGHT
Double dominant left or right profiles experience aninternal
integrated coherence in the same fashion thatsingle dominant
profiles do. In both left and rightdouble dominant profiles, the
two quadrants tend toreinforce each other. The logical, rational
processes ofthe A quadrant reinforce the structural and
proceduralqualities of the B quadrant. Likewise, the
visualimaginative approaches of the D quadrant aresupported by the
expressive, sensory elements of theC quadrant.
As opposing modes, double dominant left mightperceive their
right counterpart as unrealistic anunfocused. In both cases, these
individuals will benefitfrom a greater appreciation of their mental
opposites,not only to improve their communication andrelationships,
but also to appreciate mental processesvery different than their
own, allowing them to moreeffectively 'cross the bridge' between
hemispheres.
DOUBLE DOMINANT PROFILE - UPPER & LOWERBoth the Upper and
Lower dominant families of profilesunite distinct mental process in
a synergisticinterchange. The Upper modes may, for example, beas
comfortable with facts, data and theory (A) as withconceptual
frameworks and intuitive insights (D). Thisresults in a cognitive,
intellectual approach. The Lowermode, B + C brings together a
strong sense of detailand structure (B) with a sensitive,
emotionalawareness of feelings and people (C).
This results in a visceral, grounded approach. BothUpper and
Lower modes can experience on the otherhand a sense of two distinct
mental perspectives asthey look at the world. These individuals
have anopportunity to learn when to apply particular
mentalprocesses appropriately to different situations. Thisallows
them to maximize the effectiveness of theirmental processes.
DOUBLE DOMINANT PROFILE - DIAGONALThis diamond shaped family of
profile cross thediagonals from either B to D or A to C. There is
aninherent internal contrast of preferences within theseprofiles.
The contrast is both left vs. right and upper vs.lower. This can
translate into a sense of conflict, bothinternally and when
interacting with others. Forexample: - Ideas (D) vs. Action (B)-
Safekeeping (B) vs. Risk taking (D) - Facts (A) vs. Feelings (C) -
People considerations (C) vs. Financialconsiderations. This
contrast is often described by these individuals asa pull between
two very different sometimescontradicting mental processes.
Ideally, they are able to integrate and balance outthese two
different perspectives as they makedecision. However, in other less
ideal circumstances,they may feel stuck or paralyzed in the
decisionmaking process, or may switch abruptly between them.Once an
individual understands and masters this dualmental process, they
provide a unique mentalperspective. For example, both vision
animplementation (B and D) would flow easily to anentrepreneur with
a B-D profile. A useful integrationstrategy is often the
intentional development of a thirdquadrant. This quadrant can play
the role of relaystation to facilitate mental processes.
TRIPLE DOMINANT PROFILESTriple dominant profile represents 34
percent of thedatabase. Within that total, 2111, 1121, and 1112
arethe most frequent, representing 81% of the above. Thisgroup has
access to a certain mental flexibility thatcomes from the
multi-dominant nature of their mentalprocess. This allows the
individuals to move amongtheir three dominant modes somewhat
seamlessly,looking at all of the perspectives before making
adecision. Due to the triple nature of their data, they aremore
likely to share a least one preference with thosewith whom they
interact.
On the other hand, this, multiplicity of preference canslow down
the decision making process sue to theneed to really check out all
the bases. Anotherpotential challenge may be the multitude of
optionsthese preferences provide as career decisions oreducational
choices need to be made. Identifying thestrongest preference among
the three comes with timeand a willingness to go with a lead
quadrant enough tobe able to effectively evaluate the experience.
Oftenthe opportunities that present themselves first
arepursued.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 12
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QUADRUPLE DOMINANT PROFILESPerhaps surprisingly to some, these
profiles, onlyoccur less than 3% of the time. They offer anenormous
potential for a highly integrated, variedmental process. This can
translate into an ability tomove seamlessly from quadrant to
quadrant and modeto mode as the situation requires. Often able
tounderstand all the mental perspectives, theseindividuals have the
potential to function quiteeffectively in group situations which
require translationbetween those perspectives or work situations
thatrequire situational flexibility such as management ormediation
(appropriate training). They will interacteasily with many
different types of profiles.
Like other profile families that display multiplepreferences,
these individuals are faced with certainchallenges associated with
the multiplicity of theirpreferences. Internal conflicts can occur,
as well as asense of indecisiveness or unclear focus. As with
tripledominant profiles, establishing a quadrant helpsprovide
direction. The diversity of interests providesmany contrasting
options. With time, these individualscan move from being
distracting to becoming assetsavailable for situational
application. The tilt of theirmental preferences will be influenced
by their highestprofile quadrant or quadrants.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 13
Herrmann International Europe102, bd F. Roosevelt BP 237 - 92504
Rueil Malmaison CedexTl.: 01 47 51 31 15 - Fax : 01 47 51 33
28Email : [email protected] :
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D EXPLORING YOUR PROFILEFOR YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTTHE UNION
OF OURDIFFERENT MENTAL PROCESSESOnce you understand your profile,
remember that you useeach of the four quadrants at different times
and indifferent ways. The preferred mode seems natural
andaccessible to you. But they never function independently ofthe
others. Secondary modes are 'operational' for you buttertiary modes
require a great effort. Still, all thinkingmodes function as a unit
of complex mental processes.
A
B C
DFACT FUTURE
FORM FEELINGS
Each situation we face in our daily lives calls for adifferent
mental process. We need to have a continuumof processes at our
disposal to address each situation asit arises.
Our profile is naturally circumstance dependent.Think of how
your profile adapts, like an elasticband, that expands according to
what the situationrequires.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 14
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FOR YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTYou have just become aware of your
personal profile.Your curiosity is satisfied. It would be a shame
to stopthere. The real job of the HBDI profile is to serve as atool
for your personal development. It is not at all our recommendation
that everyone striveto become a 1-1-1-1. That would prove
inappropriatefor many individuals and could deprive the world
ofsome fascinating variety.
However, we strongly recommend that everyone learnto access and
situationally use as many quadrants andcapabilities as possible for
two important reasons: (1)an avoidance can keep us from getting
what we want,and (2) the continuing pace and magnitude of changein
our world demands creative responses, which callsfor the ability to
iterate among all quadrants.
EXPANDING MENTAL PREFERENCESBY CHANGING FRAMES OF REFERENCE
One of the most powerful supports for shiftingpreference has to
do with recognizing the value of lessfamiliar modes.
The concept of frames of reference is very useful inthis
connection, because it enables us to see thecomponents of the
thought process of each quadrant.
A frame of reference is a thought structure made up ofvalues,
reasoning, and decisions about something.Heres a frame of reference
about physical fitness:'Physical exercise is good for ones health
(value); Ihave what it takes to do that (reasoning); so I will
stayphysically fit (decision).' This is a good frame ofreference to
have if you want to get in shape. But what if your frame of
reference about exercise is:'Physical exercise is a good thing, but
its too boring tobother with (value); it wont matter that much if I
dontdo it (reasoning); So I wont do it (decision).' With that frame
of reference, youd have a hard timegetting yourself to do any
exercise on a sustainedbasis. Youd need to change your values
andreasoning before youd be able to make a decisionsolid enough to
stick to.
Keep in mind that frames of reference are quiteindividual and
can be very complex. To detect yourframe of reference about any
quadrant for which youwant to strengthen your preferences, write
down yourthoughts and feelings about the modes of thatquadrant,
then look at the list and tease out the values,reasoning, and
decisions stated or implied in it.Going outside our frames of
reference is often requiredto expand mental preferences, to solve a
problem or tountie a difficult situation.
In the pages which follow, well suggest ways toexpand
preferences for other quadrants by (1) relaxingdependence on one
mode only; and (2) expanding theability to operate in thye
diagonally opposed quadrant.We shift our mental center of gravity,
but we losenothing.
PERSONAL EXERCICES TO HELP ACCESS AND DEVELOP YOUR
LESS-PREFERRED MODES
The following page presents some activities classifiedaccording
to their principal predominance in the fourquadrants.
To practise activities presented in a quadrant will allowyou to
increase your preferences in this quadrant.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 15
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TO STIMULATE UPPER-LEFT QUADRANTGolf
Do-it-yourself projectsWoodworkingAmateur radioModel
buildingRestoring cars
Car repairHunting
Electronic gamesStrategy games
BilliardsComputers
TO STIMULATE LOWER-LEFT QUADRANT
CardsFishing
Spectator sportsTennis
BowlingRowing
Team handballWeight lifting
Body buildingJogging
TO STIMULATE UPPER-RIGHT QUADRANTPlaying musicPhotographyApplied
artsCreative writingAerobic danceCyclingNature watchingSkiingVideo
gamesWine tastingHang-glidingWalking
TO STIMULATE LOWER-RIGHT QUADRANT
Listening to musicCookingReadingSingingGardeningPeople
watchingPlaying with
childrenVolunteeringFashionTheaterConversation
DISTRIBUTED Sailing - Swimming - Camping - Basketball - Caring
for pets - Chess - Family outings - Aviation
TO STIMULATE UPPER-LEFT QUADRANT- Predict what will happen
tomorrow based on what you knowabout today, - Find out how a
frequently used machine actually works. - Take a current problem
situation and analyze it into its mainparts. - Review a recent
impulsive decision and identify its rationalaspects. - Convert your
retirement dreams into a quantitative formula. - Join an investment
club. - Engage in some logic games. - Learn to run a personal
computer. - Play 'devils advocate' in a group decision process. -
Write a critical review of your favourite movie.
TO STIMULATE LOWER-LEFT QUADRANT- Assemble a model kit by the
instructions.- Develop a personal budget - Prepare a personal
property list.- Jog, dont run.- Organize your phonograph records in
sequence accordingto categories. - Prepare a family tree. - Go
'square' dancing. - Find a mistake in your bank statement. -
Organize your home and garden tools. - Be exactly on time all day.
- Organize your picture files.
TO STIMULATE UPPER-RIGHT QUADRANT- Fly a kite the way a kite is
meant to be flown. - Invent a gourmet dish and actually prepare it.
- Play with clay and discover its texture and inner meaning. - Take
a 15-minute 'theta-break' before getting out of bed. - Drive to
'nowhere' without feeling guilty. - Run, dont jog.- Take '500'
photographs without worrying about the cost. - Create a personal
logo or - Go 'house' dancing. - Allow yourself to daydream. -
Imagine yourself in the year 2000.
TO STIMULATE LOWER-RIGHT QUADRANT- Play with your children the
way they want to play. - 'Dance' without moving your feet. - Take a
10-minute 'feeling break' every morning, afternoon,and evening. -
'Love' a 'pine cone', or any other natural thing. - Play the music
you like when you want to hear it. - Allow tears to come to your
eyes without feelings of shameor guilt. - Experience your own
spirituality in a non-religious way. - Discover things your
children have taught you, and findways to thank them.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 16
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READ A BOOK ON NEURO-PSYCHOLOGYHere is a short bibliography,
classifed by left and rightmodes.Many of the books cross quadrants.
Also, a bookchosen from a preferred quadrant will probably
pleaseyou more.
It may be more difficult for you to choose and read abook from a
quadrant of non-preference. But,remember, it might bring you some
new insights, too.
LEFT-BRAIN BOOKS.(biology, neurology, neuropsychology).
Man as Neuron BeingThe Biology of PassionFrom Dreaming to
Awakening: the Psychological Basis ofSleepThe Social BrainThe
Left-BrainersThe EmotionsDyslexia and Dislateralization
?Compartmentalization of Intellect: the Psychology ofThinkingThe
Latest GateThe Human PhenomenonArchimedes Cry: the Art of Discovery
and the Discovery ofArtThe Horse in the Locomotive: the Human
Paradox
RIGHT BRAIN BOOKS
The Creative MomentIntuition and ManagementCreative by ShockDont
Rest on Your Best (Thinking outside the Box?)General Semantics for
TodayHow Does the Brain Work?I Learn, Therefore I AmTwo Brains for
Learning: Left and RightDrawing On the Right Side of the
BrainChildren of AquariusA Well Made Head: Using Your Intellectual
ResourcesThink Better: Tools and TechniquesSix Hats for ThinkingThe
Grammar of Imagination: Introduction to the Art ofInventing
StoriesZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
BOOKS BY AND ABOUT NED HERMANN AND THE HBDI
The Creative BrainMaking Connections : Before, During,
AfterUsing your Whole BrainTechnical and Scienti?c WritingTwo
Brains for the ClassroomUsing the Capacity of the Whole
BrainCreative Problem SolvingThe whole brain business book.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 17
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TIPS FOR MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDEYou can be sure that if
you make the commitment toexpand preferences, enhance skills, and
live morecreatively, you will reach your goal. The key is apositive
attitude, not only toward specific shifts, butalso toward the
entire change and growth process.How do you go about developing
this positive mentalattitude? Here are some tips:
1. Give yourself a few pats on the back just for daringto
try-most people never do.
2. Count the profit up front. Figure out what it costs younot to
have the skill you want to develop. For example,if you are an
artist whose office, studio, and marketingactivities are in
desperate shape, you will never make itas a self -supporting
painter. The profit of developing Aand B preferences may well be
having a successfulcareer as an artist versus not having one.
3. Regard learning as an exploration or a scouting triprather
than as a painful chore. You arent locked intoany change, and so
you are truly free to choose!
4. Remember, you can choose freely. Youve alreadymade it this
far with your current talents andinclinations. Your survival doesnt
depend on changing.
5. Retain professionals to guide you in learning how tofunction
in those modes. These days, teachers aboundfor developing every
modality, including intuition, bodylanguage, lateral thinking,
bookkeeping, writing -theres no shortage of professional help.
6. Get support from others. Associate yourself withsomeone who
thinks in the ways you want to think, andthen work with that person
on the solution to a difficultproblem, using your own preferred
modes, but alsoobserving the other persons. Or develop a support
group. Instead of working solo,find other people who have the same
growth needsand desires that you do, and do a group project in
yourquadrant of shared avoidance.
7. Use skills you have to get skills you want. Forexample, if
you are an engineer who really wants to bemore creative but doesnt
know how, gather researchabout creative people, and then quantify,
organize,process, and analyze the data to identify
characteristicpreferences common to people who behave
creatively.
2004 The Ned Herrmann Group, Inc. Page 18
Herrmann International Europe102, bd F. Roosevelt BP 237 - 92504
Rueil Malmaison CedexTl.: 01 47 51 31 15 - Fax : 01 47 51 33
28Email : [email protected] :
www.herrmann-europe.com