Right vs. Left Brain at Work

October 16, 2012

 

In the 1940s, a neurosurgeon named William van Wagenen attempted what might have only been tried previously by a deranged scientist in a sci-fi thriller. He set out to cure seizures by, quite literally, splitting the brain into two parts. The procedure was carried out by severing the corpus callosum, the neural fibers which connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Remarkably, apart from some visual and verbal abnormalities in post-operative patients, the procedure worked wonders by reducing seizure activity in the brain. Looking back at the discovery of this medical miracle, one may wonder, “Just how do the two halves of the brain differ, if at all?”

While some researchers dispute the usefulness and validity of the distinction, there is some evidence that the left brain and right brain are indeed, at least to some degree, specialized. The left hemisphere of the brain is key in logical, linear thinking. It’s a sort of highly-sophisticated GPS, calling out step-by-step instructions to achieve a larger goal. This way of thinking is essential to many job types which have been around for quite some time: the accountants, the actuaries, and the bankers, to name a few. These workers prefer convention and consistency. They know the process and they don’t need to deviate from it.

In contrast, the right hemisphere of the brain is critical in processes which require creativity and innovation. Deviating from the process is how creatives earn their money. These are the advertising agents, the architects, and the corporate trainers.

So…which brain is best in the job market? It depends on who you ask.

From an evolutionary perspective, the specialization of the left hemisphere is an aspect that sets us apart from our more primitive ancestors. In this way, the right brain, sometimes referred to as the “animal brain,” is more primitive.

In contrast, Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, argues that jobs which harness the power of the right brain hold the key for success in the new business world. He explains that the diminishing influences of the industrial age have begun to make way for a new conceptual age where the right-sided brainiacs will dominate. In this way, the right brain is more progressive.

Whatever the future holds, the truth is that multiple pathways lead to success in the current economy. The job market is tremendously diverse and varied, one of the perks of the free market economy. You can, very literally, make a million dollars a million different ways. Creative or not, take this simple suggestion: know where you fall on the spectrum and find a job that suits you. Your success will thank you for it. After all, it’s not brain surgery.

Today’s guest post is by Dr. Aaron Allred – a psychological assessment specialist at Brigham Young University.

 

 

 

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