Looking for various ways in which you can use your brain to blow your minds at work? Well, in that case, you are not alone. Today, we are debunking myths about the right brain vs. left brain and sharing numerous ways to increase productivity in the workplace.
We've all taken personality tests or read horoscopes, finding traits that seem to define us. Even without these, we often bond over shared interests, talents, or experiences. It's human nature to categorize ourselves and connect with like-minded people.
At work, this tendency is evident: the creative team members (often labelled as "right-brained") gravitate towards each other, while the analytical minds (managers, coordinators, analysts, etc., or "left-brained" people) stick together. These labels help us navigate relationships and make sense of our environment, but they can also oversimplify our identities and limit our potential.
The truth is, the left brain vs right brain distinction is a myth. By breaking free from these stereotypes, we can embrace our full capabilities and truly excel in our professional lives.
The human brain is a remarkable organ, so much so that an entire article could be dedicated to its functions alone. As teamwork experts rather than neuroscientists, we’ll provide a simplified overview of this fascinating organ.
Weighing around three pounds, the brain not only governs our thoughts but also controls the functioning of our entire body. With approximately 100 billion neurons and a staggering 100 trillion connections, the brain sends and receives signals throughout the body via an intricate network of nerves. These signals travel incredibly fast, which is why the pain from stepping on a LEGO or stubbing your toe results in an instant reaction.
The brain is divided into two hemispheres: the right and the left. Each hemisphere contains four lobes responsible for different functions—some voluntary, like tasting and touching, and some involuntary, like breathing and blinking. Interestingly, each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body (the right hemisphere controls the left side, and vice versa).
While each part of the brain has its specific functions, they all collaborate as a unified “command centre” to manage our senses, movements, behaviours, and survival mechanisms. By gaining a better understanding of how our brains work—and how they don’t—we can move beyond mere survival to truly thrive.
The belief of left-brain versus right-brain dominance has been popular for decades. This theory originated in the 1960s when psychobiologist Roger W. Sperry conducted split-brain experiments. Alongside psychology professor Michael Gazzaniga, Sperry explored hemispheric lateralization, which posits that each side of the brain specialises in different tasks.
Their findings indicated that the left hemisphere is responsible for speech, language, comprehension, word recognition, and analytical tasks. This led to the belief that methodical and logical individuals are "left-brained." On the other hand, the right hemisphere is linked to creativity, perception, spatial understanding, and recognizing faces and objects, hence the label "right-brained" for creative and emotional people.
Sperry's research was groundbreaking, earning him a Nobel Prize. Indeed, each hemisphere of the brain has distinct functions, and both sides work together to ensure the body operates efficiently. However, the theory of one side being i.e. right brain dominant over the other (left brain), has since been debunked.
In 2013, neuroscientists re-examined Sperry and Gazzaniga’s research to find out more about right brain vs left brain, along with new evidence, and concluded the following:
Therefore, while Sperry's research provided valuable insights into brain function, the myth of left-brain versus right brain dominance has been thoroughly debunked. Both hemispheres work together, making the brain a more complex and integrated organ than the old theory suggested.
Roger Sperry's theory of right brain vs left brain dominance has been debunked as overly simplistic, and recent research reveals that the brain is even more incredible than we once thought. Our brains are constantly adapting, reorganising, and learning from our experiences and interactions. This is great news for professionals at any stage of their careers, as it means there's always potential for growth and improvement. Here are three fascinating facts about the brain that you can leverage to enhance your work performance.
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Remember how overwhelmed you felt on your first day at a new job? Meeting new people, navigating a different environment, and absorbing unfamiliar concepts can be daunting. However, after a few weeks or months, everything starts to feel more familiar and manageable. This transformation occurs because your brain is busy forming new connections every time you learn a new skill or piece of information.
The brain’s structure literally changes with each new experience, thought, or memory—a process known as neuroplasticity. This incredible ability allows our brains to adapt, heal from injuries, and continue learning throughout our lives. So, whether you’re mastering a new software or developing a new strategy, know that your brain is fully capable of evolving with you.
Have you ever noticed that your best ideas often come to you in the shower, during your commute, or while lying in bed? This phenomenon isn’t just coincidence—it’s backed by science. Psychologist John Eastwood explains that boredom can drive innovation. When our minds are quiet, creativity steps in to fill the void.
A 2013 study found that small amounts of boredom can prime your brain for convergent thinking, which is crucial for problem-solving. Another study in 2014 highlighted that boredom also fosters divergent thinking, which is essential for brainstorming. So, a little downtime can lead to big ideas.
Collaborative problem-solving is known to lead to better outcomes, increased job satisfaction, and reduced stress. However, a 2018 Harvard Business School study suggests that individual brainstorming followed by collaboration can produce superior solutions.
In this study, participants were divided into three groups to solve travelling salesman problems. The first group worked individually, the second shared notes after each brainstorming round, and the third collaborated after every three rounds. The results were telling:
These insights highlight the power of combining personal contemplation with collaborative efforts to achieve optimal results in the workplace.
"Never stop learning, for when you stop learning, you stop growing.”
Personality tests and labels can be fun tools for connecting with others and understanding our interactions with teammates and the world around us. However, it’s important to view them as playful insights rather than concrete facts and avoid categorizing ourselves as strictly “right-brained” or “left-brained” — or any other rigid category.
While some people may naturally lean towards logical or creative thinking, we are all complex beings with multifaceted capabilities. Both sides of our brains are continuously working in harmony, learning and evolving to help us become our best selves.
Let’s break free from the constraints of left brain vs right brain thinking and embrace a growth mindset. By continuously learning and expanding our horizons, we can nurture our brains and keep growing. As Albert Einstein wisely put it, “Never stop learning, for when you stop learning, you stop growing.