4 Mindsets Every Leader Needs

If current instabilities and uncertainties have knocked you a bit sideways, you’re not alone.

Every leader I’ve spoken with recently is feeling overwhelmed in some way: rapidly evolving technology, volatile markets, and ongoing disruption make this a uniquely challenging time to guide others toward shared goals. 

In a world that no longer plays by familiar rules, Whole Brain^® Thinking is a powerful tool for authentic leaders—keeping teams aligned, engaged and motivated.

The research-based Whole Brain^® Model identifies four mindsets essential for leaders coping with intricate challenges and rapid changes: Analytical, Practical, Relational and Experimental. They represent different ways individuals approach decision-making and problem-solving. Understanding these mindsets helps you leverage your own strengths and the diverse strengths of your team and to improve the communication, collaboration and overall performance vital for rising to the occasion.

Leaders who understand and apply these four mindsets bring together individuals with varied expertise and perspectives to solve complex problems and quickly adapt to change by:

• Improving communication. Recognize, include and appreciate different thinking styles to increase understanding and motivation while avoiding miscommunication.
• Enhancing team dynamics. Reduce conflict and build more cohesive, versatile and productive teams by leveraging the unique contributions of each member. 
• Boosting problem-solving. Combine different thinking styles to tackle thorny problems in a more comprehensive and original way that minimizes blind spots.
• Fostering innovation. Embrace new ideas and approaches by incorporating the experimental mindset into decision-making processes.

Especially during times of uncertainty, employees need support and communication from their leader tilted toward their thinking preferences to stay engaged, realize their potential and avoid freezing. Well-rounded leaders strengthen their effectiveness and build relationships by growing their agility to situationally flex into each of these mindsets:

• Analytical (Blue): This mindset focuses on facts, figures and logical reasoning. Analytical leaders prioritize Payoff and prefer, data-driven measurement, decision-making and tech-savvy efficiency. “Just give me the facts.”
• Practical (Green): This mindset emphasizes process, organization, structure and detail. Practical leaders are methodical and focused on getting the job done in a timely and systematic way. “What’s the plan?”
• Relational (Red): This mindset prioritizes people and relationships. Relational leaders are communicative and supportive coaches, skilled at building rapport, fostering collaboration and shaping an inclusive culture around values. “Show me you care about me.”
• Experimental (Yellow): This mindset embraces innovation, the big picture and flexibility. Experimental leaders are curious and visionary, open to new ideas and comfortable with ambiguity and risk to rally ongoing competitive advantage. “What are the possibilities?”

Whole Brain^® Leaders excel at adaptability, collaboration and authentic leadership—key factors for success and organizational resilience in this complex landscape according to Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report.

Especially during chaotic times, it takes leaders with eyes that see the whole for individuals and organizations to flourish. Reach out to explore leveraging Whole Brain^® Thinking and the HBDI^® Thinking Styles Assessment on your leadership journey.

You’ve got this.

Following corporate roles in management and organization development, Cynthia Radford launched GreenLeaf Consulting, where she’s helped diverse teams and leaders from more than forty countries align, thrive, and accomplish important work. In addition to being an Amazing Career^TM Certified Coach, she has several professional certifications and is a longtime Certifying Master Facilitator of the HBDI^® (Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument^®), a cognitive diversity tool used by 97% of Fortune 100 companies to improve productivity, innovation, and inclusion.

To learn more about how to apply Whole Brain^® Thinking in your workplace, contact us at cil@furman.edu.