by Danielle Scroggins

Created on: April 01, 2010

I teach….and I make lists.  When I’m not teaching, I’m thinking about teaching.  After I’ve taught something, I’m already revising my strategy for the next time I teach it.  I look for teachable moments everyday for my own children.  It’s not only what I do, it’s who I am.  In the education world, I’m categorized as your basic left-brained thinker.  I outline, plan, schedule….and I make lists. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, why right-brainers will rule the future.  In case you need your own memory refreshed, the left-brain is the center of sequential order, memory, facts, etc.  The right-brain is the center of creativity, art and music appreciation, etc.  Pink is a self-described left-brained thinker who, as a college and law school graduate, has become a successful free agent and writer.  His books focus on the new technological age, and the changing world of work.

In this speech, he candidly discussed success in America through the last 100 years.  He started with my grandparents’ generation.  In their generation, a high school diploma secured opportunity for middle-class America.  Many stayed in their home towns, worked in factories or other businesses. Hard work paid off, and provided well for their families.  Their children, my parents, were encouraged to continue their education, as was my generation.  Each generation has seen more education necessary after high school, be it trade school, technical institute or academic college.  Almost every career requires advanced training beyond high school and, usually some sort of certification. Success isn’t guaranteed because of the extra parchment, but it looks good on another paper—the resume.  Businesses have begun to look below “education” on that resume to things like extra-curricular activities, and volunteer work.  Job interviews include questions about problem-solving techniques, co-worker relationships, and work experience. 

Like it or not, the recipe for success has changed.  In the past, linear, sequential thinking and organization coupled with a good work ethic were the main ingredients for that recipe.  Now, while the left-brained thinker is still important, he, too, must think outside the box—something I hate to do.

 As Pink spoke about this

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