A Conference revisited.

I'm not going to "The Mind & it's Potential"conference this year. I'd love to, and it's in a lovely part of the world, but it's just not going to happen.

The advertising blurb is enticing, and the conference will touch on many of the things I'm interested in, education, lifelong learning, psychology, philosophy and unlocking our potential all of which impact on Career Development in all its phases.

"World leaders in neuroscience, education, psychology, business, and the arts will show how we can harness the brain's plasticity to enhance our skills, unlock our potential and change our "habits of mind" for lifelong learning."  

Yep, it certainly sounds like it'd be worth attending.

There was so much talk about brain plasticity and how we don't degenerate as had been thought - sadly, there was no discussion on wallet plasticity, and mine certainly doesn't grow and strengthen with use, and seems to be thinning inexplicably.

Last year was simply wonderful. Three days of high energy brain food, excellent Mindfullness Training, sessions on Learning Difficulties and personality, lots of research on exercise and how we need to incorporate it into every day life without fail. (Why is this so hard to do? I'm sure walking to the letterbox doesn't count as exercise, or does it?)

Each day was chock full of the exciting research that's going on into the brain, its plasticity, and how the new discoveries are impacting on our everyday life. Simply fabulous science presented by enthusiastic people who till then had only been names in newspapers or journals.

The neurosurgeon Charlie Teo showed footage of an operation he'd conducted, and discussed how a tumor had changed the personality of a young girl, and how it's removal gave her hope of living a normal life.  I'm usually extremely, uncomfortably squeamish seeing inner bits of the body being sliced and this was VERY detailed, and projected LARGE to allow everyone to see. But he made it interesting by discussing what he was doing during different phases of the operation. It was simply fascinating. If ever I get an 'inoperable' brain tumor (which I sincerely hope I don't) I'm going to him.


I'd been to hear HH the Dalai Lama some years ago, but hadn't heard of Allan Wallace who'd been trained by him and who conducted a whole day experience in Mindfulness Meditation. This was teaching at its best. From a man who knows and loves his work/life, and is able to share his depth of knowledge oh so elegantly.

It was interesting watching the security surrounding HH the Dalai Lama. His presence certainly gave a whole besuited, earplugged, buff crew a pay day (or more), but he remained gracious to all and sundry no matter how restricted his movements.

This was also my introduction to the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) and I had a ball at that session. Not only was I introduced to a satisfying new instrument, but the presenter Michael Morgan was outstanding. Some people seem to have a natural knack in presenting, but as with so many things, I expect a lot of preparation had gone into it. I'd like to be qualified in the HBDI as I can see it being of use in so many areas in the everyday life of my clients, from parenting to small business planning to career change and working towards retirement. (Note to self: feed wallet)

So although I can't attend this year, I'm not going to moan; what I'll do is get out the 2009 conference handbook and my notes and reread them, look at the website, and check out the links they send me periodically.

Writing this has made me realize there's so much I've forgotten, it'll be good to make time to refresh my memory and work on its plasticity.

CDAA workshop: 29. HBDI influence

(This post forms part of a series of powerpoint slides from a presentation I gave at the Career Development Association of Australia Conference 2010 entitled: The Roller-coaster Ride from Permanent Part-time Employee to Private Practitioner.)

I came across the The Whole Brain model of thinking at "The Mind and its Potential" conference in Sydney late 2009. It's an excellent conference with relevance for many people in their day to day living; covering aspects of science, learning, creativity and personal development.

The "Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument" is a helpful way of getting a 'birds eye' view of whatever it is you're setting up or beginning. It follows the idea that the brain has a right and left hemisphere, each with it's own distinct way of looking at the world. It then subdivides those halves, so there is a total of 4 parts, giving them particular attributes as well. These are colour coded which makes them easy to remember.

The diagram on the top left gives an idea how I used the ideas in my own small business setup.

I found the ideas helpful even at this late stage having already begun my business, and with clients already making appointments. It reminded me to look at the 4 quadrants and check that I'd covered the different aspects and hadn't got carried away with a feel-good, hair-brained scheme and forgotten about the facts and details. 

The model is particularly useful when you get on a roll with a brilliant idea, as it brings you down to earth with an easy, sequential and logical way of checking that you are being rational, thinking of the financials and all the things that can be ignored in the excitement of a new venture.

For anyone who is particularly pedantic, I suggest you don't get caught up trying to find the exact spot in the brain that equates to the concept being covered. It's not meant to be a map of the brain, but a way to help us relate to others at work and at home.

The Whole Brain Business Book by Nedd Herrmann is user friendly, easy to read and practical. It focuses more on the personal and inter-personal business aspects of the uses of the instrument but was still a useful addition to the overview I gained at the conference. Differences are celebrated, careers suggested to complement a person's strengths, and we're reminded of ways to get the most from all members in a team.

Another book using the HBDI could be good for parents of young children. "Why don't you understand?" by Susie Leonard Weller. Weller discusses the 4 thinking styles, and using these, suggests practical ways to improve communication within the family.

Whilst I'm not accredited in the HBDI, I've found the information gained from reading the books, attending talks and having my profile completed have been extremely useful for day to day living, family interactions and within my business.

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