The future belongs to "right-brain" people

I was thrilled to read in Daniel Pink's latest book A Whole New Mind that creative people like me, the right-brain people, will rule the future. Finally someone who recognizes that us "artsy" folks have something valuable to contribute the world!

Our parents advised us to get the right kind of education to get the right kind of jobs in law, accounting, informatics, etc. But times are changing and many of the left-brain type of jobs can now be automated or farmed out to developing countries for a lot less money. Left-brain reasoning is no longer enough to gain the advantage in this shift from the Information Age to what Pink calls a Conceptual Age.

Daniel Pink says that "right brain" qualities like inventiveness, empathy, and searching for meaning are critical to get ahead in this new age. He outlines six fundamental human abilities that are essential for professional success and fulfillment.

The right-brain directed aptitudes are as follows:

1. DESIGN: It is no longer enough for something to be functional. Things need to have an esthetics quality that tugs at your emotions.

2. STORY: People will remember the story long after the facts, the data or the theory. A story engages both your head and your heart.

3. SYMPHONY: The ability to see the big picture and put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

4. EMPATHY: The capacity to go beyond the logical thought and to truly connect with people by trying to understand how it would feel to walk a mile in their shoes.

5. PLAY: Play is a bridge to creativity. We need play to achieve balance both at work and at home.

6. MEANING: We live in a world of abundance. For a great many of us our material needs are met. This frees us up to consider more important things like our life purpose and our passions.

I just watched the movie Bedtimes Stories with my family this weekend and enjoyed it very much. It was a light and playful movie with an important message. The only thing that stands between you and the life that you would like to lead is your imagination and the courage to believe and to act on your dreams.

To learn more about Daniel Pink check out his website:

http://www.danpink.com/