Ah, the life of left brain thinkers is complex and frustrating. These professionals, including STEM professionals (Science-Technology-Engineer-Mathematics), often are the smartest people in the room. Hands down. They also are the hardest-to-understand people in the room.
That is why business decision makers turn off and tune out presentations and communications from the left brain thinkers in your organization. When business decision makers tune out these talented professionals, their actions negatively impact workforce productivity and profitability in your organization. It doesn’t have to be that way, anymore.
Planning your next corporate or association meeting? Engage me to present a Storytelling for STEM Professionals and Left Brain Thinkers speaking program.
Business decision makers tune out left brain thinkers because of their style and professional assumptions.
I am not talking about turning these folks into fashionistas. Although, a few style points on that front are always helpful! 😉
Far too often, Left Brain Thinkers are unengaging, factual and, well, boring to business decision makers. Within the first three minutes of a presentation or conversation, decision makers and non-technical colleagues are overwhelmed by facts. These professionals present a theory of what they think might happen, or not. Then, they continue with methodology used to confirm/deny that theory. Finally, they present findings, usually in graphical and statistical format.
Left Brain Thinkers make two assumptions which derail their effectiveness.
- From their perspective, the information is fascinating. And, indeed, it is. But mainly, to them and their discipline-specific peers.
- Then, they assume that next steps for their conclusions are obvious to business decision makers. Unfortunately, both the next steps, and the conclusions, are not so obvious, at all.
Somewhere during the conversation, those left brain thinkers cause business decision makers to tune out, instead of dialing in and drilling down.
Are you ready to dial in and drill down in how to make the left brain thinkers in your organization and association far more potent business developers? Then contact me right here. Discover how one of my Storytelling for STEM Professionals and Left Brain Thinkers keynotes and workshops can solidify, rather than segment, your organization.
Because your employees, and what they “do,” is absolutely fascinating! Once they stop turning off and tuning out one another. Think about the implications for employee experience and customer experience. 😉
Take some additional next steps!
- Download my new checklist and worksheet: Six Professional Development Targets to Hit each Month.
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Babette Ten Haken‘s One Millimeter Mindset™ Storytelling for STEM Professionals and Left Brain Thinkers speaking programs are created for organizations and associations who want to catalyze stakeholder success and customer retention. There is no better way than storytelling to bridge communication disconnects between professional disciplines, pay grades and levels of education. Her programs are forged from her background as a STEM professional in clinical research, new product development, market research and sales. Find out more right here. Babette is a member of SME, ASQ, SHRM and the National Speakers Association. Her playbook of communication hacks, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com. Babette’s speaker profile is on the espeakers platform. Contact her here.
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