Brain scientists have determined that the brain has four functional quadrants that play different roles in our personality. While we are meant to use all four quadrants and develop communication between these functions, we have found through our work with leaders over the last four decades that most leaders are only using a quarter to a half of their brain’s potential. Imagine the positive impact on your organizational results if your leaders were accessing all four quadrants of the brain.

Most individuals in leadership roles are hard wired to use the left front quadrant of the rational brain without getting input from the other three areas. This makes sense, as the purpose of this part of the brain is to define the world by using logical, rational decision-making to analyze, plan and organize. However, this means that quadrant of the brain used for bonding and relating (lower right emotional brain) is not directly accessible by these individuals. As a result, leaders struggle to coach, resolve conflict, show appreciation, empathize, and manage performance – all activities that require access to this quadrant of the brain.