What is it?
The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument is the world's leading thinking styles assessment tool. It helps one to understand what makes themselves and others 'tick' by identifying thinking, learning and communication styles. Understanding thinking style preferences gives a new perspective, it helps to achieve a greater appreciation of how people think, learn, make decisions, solve problems, and communicate.
The HBDI™ was developed and validated by Ned Herrmann whilst he was working within the General Electric Corporation. He pioneered the study of the brain within the field of business and as a result, created the HBDI™ and the organising principle behind it, Whole Brain Technology.
Based on over 20 years research, the HBDI™ has been the subject of many independent validations - many dissertations and scientific papers have been published on it.
How does it work?
The HBDI™ is a 120-question diagnostic survey, the answers to which indicate one’s thinking style
preferences – the degree to which one prefers a particular way of thinking. The survey measures preferences
rather than skills.
In the HBDI™ model, Herrmann identifies four different modes of thinking:
A. Analytical thinking
Key words: logical, factual, critical, technical and quantitative.
B. Sequential thinking
Key words: safekeeping, structured, organized, complexity
or detailed, planned.
C. Interpersonal thinking
Key words: kinesthetic, emotional, spiritual, sensory, feeling.
D. Imaginative thinking
Key words: Visual, holistic, intuitive, innovative, and conceptual.
Herrmann also coins the concept of Whole Brain Thinking™ — the situational use of all four quadrants. His theory was inspired by Roger Sperry and the research into left-right brain laterilization during the 1970s, and further developed to reflect a metaphor for how individuals think and learn.
Usage
To date, nearly two million people have had their profiles analyzed worldwide using the HBDI™ and it has been used globally by corporations, governments, educational facilities, and independent consultants. The HBDI™ has been translated into 17 languages and is used extensively in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and Asia.
