-- [ From: Geof Fountain * EMC.Ver #2.5.1 ] --
Jeff said
> I'd agree that individuals probably have preferences for a
> particular sensory mode, but I think this is a different dimension
> than the whole-to-part vs. part-to-whole thinking style. I think
> about the creative musicians and composers who are very definitely
> auditory in sensory mode, but who also appear to have an appreciation
> for patterns and "the whole." Perhaps you should distinguish between
> verbal and non-verbal learners instead of auditory vs. visual and
> kinesthetic. This also fits better with the "left-brain vs. right-brain"
> split you talk about.
Allow me to throw out some more personal generalizations (useful lies).
Left brain thinkers are good readers (discrete input/processing). Right
brain thinkers prefer pictures (holistic input/processing). Other left
brain thinkers prefer conversations and like to tell jokes and "war
stories" (discrete input/processing). Right brain thinkers prefer music
(holistic input/processing). Left brain thinkers analyze (break down
into discrete parts); right brain thinkers synthesize (build wholes).
Left brain thinkers are present-oriented, quick thinking and reactionary
. Right brain thinkers are future-oriented, "deep" thinking and
imaginative.
Perhaps systems thinkers use "disciplined imagination", as Jim M. coined
the term in his LO 9574, to visualize in their mind the systemic forces
(explicit and implicit) that interact in an imagined scene.
The above reflects my observations for the last ten years, both at work
and at home. I have a left-brain, auditory daughter zipping right
through school who has shown little interest in the arts (creative) or
sports (kinesthetic). By contrast, my right-brain daughter is artistic,
athletic, and struggling in the left-brain teaching culture of our
education system. She'll make a great natural systems thinker !
For you folks out there that are getting defensive because you exhibit
left brain thinking traits yet are obviously systems thinkers because
you are on this list, relax - natural left brain/right brain thinkers
are probably better known as geniuses !!
As we all probably have experienced, introducing the LO disciplines to
others in the hectic business world takes persistent effort. IMO, w can
increase our odds and the return on our limited time by seeking out
those right-brain, natural system thinkers. And there aren't many of
them in middle and upper levels or management (at least at my work) so I
, for one, have to be choosy !
--Geof Fountain tfyy93a@prodigy.com
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>