Ned Herrmann
Encyclopedia
William Edward "Ned" Herrmann (1922 - December 24, 1999) is known for his research
in creative thinking and whole-brain methods.
He spent the last 20 years dedicating his life to applying brain dominance theory to teaching, learning
, increasing self-understanding and enhancing creative thinking capabilities on both an individual and corporate level. Herrmann's contribution to the application of brain dominance brought him worldwide recognition. In 1992, he received the Distinguished Contribution to Human Resource Development Award from ASTD
. In 1993, he was elected President
of The American Creativity Association.
At Cornell University
, he majored in both physics
and music
. He became Manager
of Management Education for General Electric
(GE) in 1970. His primary responsibility was to oversee training program design, covering topics like how to maintain or increase an individual's productivity
, motivation
, and creativity
.
In 1978, Ned Herrmann created the Herrmann Participant Survey Form to profile workshop participant's thinking styles and learning preferences in accordance with brain dominance theory. Sponsored by GE, he developed and validated the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument
(HBDI), the scored and analyzed Participant Survey, and designed the Applied Creative Thinking Workshop (ACT), which has been recognized as a leading workshop on creative thinking.
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
in creative thinking and whole-brain methods.
He spent the last 20 years dedicating his life to applying brain dominance theory to teaching, learning
Learning
Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals and some machines. Progress over time tends to follow learning curves.Human learning...
, increasing self-understanding and enhancing creative thinking capabilities on both an individual and corporate level. Herrmann's contribution to the application of brain dominance brought him worldwide recognition. In 1992, he received the Distinguished Contribution to Human Resource Development Award from ASTD
ASTD
The American Society for Training & Development is a non-profit association for workplace learning and performance professionals.-Membership:...
. In 1993, he was elected President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of The American Creativity Association.
At Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, he majored in both physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. He became Manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
of Management Education for General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
(GE) in 1970. His primary responsibility was to oversee training program design, covering topics like how to maintain or increase an individual's productivity
Productivity
Productivity is a measure of the efficiency of production. Productivity is a ratio of what is produced to what is required to produce it. Usually this ratio is in the form of an average, expressing the total output divided by the total input...
, motivation
Motivation
Motivation is the driving force by which humans achieve their goals. Motivation is said to be intrinsic or extrinsic. The term is generally used for humans but it can also be used to describe the causes for animal behavior as well. This article refers to human motivation...
, and creativity
Creativity
Creativity refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new that has some kind of value. What counts as "new" may be in reference to the individual creator, or to the society or domain within which the novelty occurs...
.
In 1978, Ned Herrmann created the Herrmann Participant Survey Form to profile workshop participant's thinking styles and learning preferences in accordance with brain dominance theory. Sponsored by GE, he developed and validated the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument
Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument
The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument is a system claimed to measure and describe thinking preferences in people, developed by William "Ned" Herrmann while leading management education at General Electric's Crotonville facility...
(HBDI), the scored and analyzed Participant Survey, and designed the Applied Creative Thinking Workshop (ACT), which has been recognized as a leading workshop on creative thinking.