©Arlene R. Taylor PhD

altUnless people consciously or habitually make a different choice, or unless they are being coerced to go against what their brain does energy-efficiently, individuals tend to gravitate toward a work style that matches their brain lead.

Examples follow of the preferred work style based on the way in which the brain processes information most energy-efficiently).

altPrioritizing Division

altEnvisioning Division

 

Individuals with an energy advantage in this division tend to work quickly and in control.

They tend to:

  • Be the best at making logical decisions based on available data
  • Prefer to make the decisions or delegate who does
  • Be competitive
  • Be workaholic in an attempt to achieve goals
  • Become bored or restless quite quickly when presented with either elaborate explanations or lack of data

 

Individuals with an energy advantage in this division tend tousually work in starts and fits (e.g., like greased lightening and then needs a break, or needs to do some unrelated activity while the brain continues working on the problem).

They tend to:

  • Be the best at anticipating and making changes
  • Enjoy innovative trouble-shooting
  • Be intuition-driven
  • Be oblivious to time when absorbed in a project
  • Become quickly bored with repetition, routine, or too many details

 

altMaintaining Division

altHarmonizing Division

 

Individuals with an energy advantage in this division tend to be best at dependably supplying services

They tend to:

  • Follow routines/procedures accurately
  • Work methodically
  • Attend to detail
  • Meet deadlines well
  • Dislike negotiating
  • Want regular hours (may unionize for hours and benefits)

 

Individuals with an energy advantage in this division tend to be best at building trust, harmony, and good will

They tend to:

  • Allow the pace of their work to be driven by mood
  • Dislike deadlines and budgetary restraints
  • Need frequent breaks to connect and chat
  • Like regular hours but may be willing to work late at times to “help out”

 

The Small-Business Owner

Thousands of small businesses start up every year in this country, and thousands fail every year. A mismatch between the owner’s innate giftedness and required key job tasks is a likely contributor. In addition to factors such as the economic climate and the viability of the product/service, business success requires functions from all portions of the cerebrum. The owner/sole proprietor will do some of these tasks well (perhaps from two or even three portions of cerebral tissue) while others will be extremely energy-exhaustive. The challenge involves the fact that the sole proprietor/small business owner often is expected to function in many different roles, wear multiple hats, and either coordinate or actually perform a wide variety of tasks and activities.

Following are examples of the types “hats” that a typical small-business owner must wear.

President—
CEO—
Financier/CFO—
Data analyzer—
Supervisor—
Accountant—
Researcher—

 

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—Visionary
—Risk taker
—Marketer
—Salesperson
—Public relations
—Development
—Humorist

Environmental cleaner—
Safety officer—
Security officer—
File clerk—
Records clerk—
Payroll clerk—
Tax preparer—

 

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—Educator
—Receptionist
—Secretary
—Networking
—Chaplain
—Counselor
—Social committee

Your Achilles’ heel typically involves tasks that are energy intensive for your brain (typically found in the division opposite your innate brain lead). Those tasks are likely to be procrastinated or performed less accurately and completely; they can exhaust both brain and body and negatively impact the financial bottom line. The resulting frustration and fatigue can adversely affect other areas of life as well (e.g., relationships, wellness, addictive/abusive behaviors, burnout). It is usually a wise, long-term business strategy to collaborate with others and/or hire out the most energy-intensive tasks!