We are entering the conceptual age (post agricultural, industrial, and information ages), where  right-brained skills will become far more crucial than traditionally left-brained skills and that left-brained reasoning will need to be increasingly augmented with right brained qualities such as design and storytelling.

This is the premise of  Daniel Pink’s new book, ” A Whole New Mind, Why Right Brainers will rule the future.” Daniel Pink is former chief speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, and is now “now a career analyst beginning a revolution in the workplaces of the world”. See, you can create your own brand new job title & description and niche industry, here is an example of this!

Left brain –>  “logical, linear, by-the-numbers”
Right brain –> “creative, artistic, empathetic”

In short, Pink’s view is that in the conceptual age creators and empathizers will lead.

While left brained abilities used to “matter most”, Pink says now they are not enough alone. In an interview, Pink himself is left-brained, he said when questioned if this meant left brainers would be out of work, “Not necessarily, but it does mean that people like me have some work to do. I happen to be extremely left-brained; my instinct is to draw a chart rather than a picture. I’m trying to get my right-brain muscles into shape. I actually think this shift toward right-brain abilities has the potential to make us both better off and better in a deeper sense.”

I have always been more of a right-brained person, and story-telling, design and empathy are deeply ingrained as some of my leading values. I strongly agree with Pink on the point that with the world as it is right now, it is empathy and creativity that really have the potential to make a mark.

From Daniel: “Transformative abilities such as empathy and creativity are crucial in a new age animated by a different form of thinking and a new approach to life.”

Left Brainers’ don’t fear!!! Pink emphasises your preferred mode of operation is not strictly a fait accompli. He says the six right brained attributes covered off below can be developed, and that they will keep us competitive in the workplace and also improve our lives and our world.

From Cooltown Studios, the six essential right-brain directed aptitudes (the six senses):

“1. Not just function but also DESIGN. It’s no longer sufficient to create a product, a service, an experience, or a lifestyle that’s merely functional. Today it’s economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful, whimsical, or emotionally engaging.

2. Not just argument but also STORY. When our lives are brimming with information and data, it’s not enough to marshal an effective argument. Someone somewhere will inevitably track down a counterpoint to rebut your point. The essence of persuasion, communication, and self-understanding has become the ability also to fashion a compelling narrative.

3. Not just focus but also SYMPHONY. Much of the Industrial and Information Ages required focus and specialization. But as white-collar work gets routed to Asia and reduced to software, there’s a new premium on the opposite aptitude: putting the pieces together, or what I call Symphony. What’s in greatest demand today isn’t analysis but synthesis—seeing the big picture, crossing boundaries, and being able to combine disparate pieces into an arresting new whole.

4. Not just logic but also EMPATHY. The capacity for logical thought is one of the things that makes us human. But in a world of ubiquitous information and advanced analytic tools, logic alone won’t do. What will distinguish those who thrive will be their ability to understand what makes their fellow woman or man tick, to forge relationships, and to care for others.

5. Not just seriousness but also PLAY. Ample evidence points to the enormous health and professional benefits of laughter, lightheartedness, games, and humor. There is a time to be serious, of course. But too much sobriety can be bad for your career and worse for your general well-being. In the Conceptual Age, in work and in life, we all need to play.

6. Not just accumulation but also MEANING. We live in a world of breathtaking material plenty. That has freed hundreds of millions of people from day-to-day struggles and liberated us to pursue more significant desires: purpose, transcendence, and spiritual fulfillment.“

Of course as always, and as there should be, there are counter points. Here is one from Wired claimed the Advertising industry is turning to a left brain modus operandi.

But as emphasised by Web Worker Daily “The real value of Pink’s work is in providing labels and language that become the starting point for discussion and debate.”

I think this approach is aligned with open source as a philosophy movement, getting people talking and thinking about new ideas and possibilities, not just operating in the way we always have…

Going to TED Global is on my Bucket List. As is spreading the word that story-telling, design and empathy are fundamental principles and enablers for a great world.

Want more?

Dan’s TED presentation

Interview with Oprah

Even more?

Buy the Book

Tags | cognition, ideas, Psychology, TED, thought leaders