Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) is a system to measure and describe thinking preferences in people

4 Thinking Modes

Thinking Mode

Key Words

Preferred Activities

analytical thinking

  • auditive
  • logical
  • factual
  • critical
  • technical
  • quantitative
  • collecting data
  • analysis
  • understanding how things work
  • judging ideas based on facts
  • criteria
  • logical reasoning

sequential thinking

  • safekeeping
  • structured
  • organized
  • complexity
  • detailed
  • planned
  • following directions
  • detail-oriented work
  • step-by-step problem solving
  • organization
  • implementation

interpersonal/relational thinking

  • kinesthetic
  • emotional
  • spiritual
  • sensory
  • feeling
  • listening to and expressing ideas
  • looking for personal meaning
  • sensory input
  • group interaction

imaginative thinking

  • visual
  • holistic
  • intuitive
  • innovative
  • conceptual
  • looking at the big picture
  • taking initiative
  • challenging assumptions
  • visuals
  • metaphoric thinking
  • creative problem solving
  • long term thinking