Which Character Are You In Groups And Meetings?

Dear Friends,
I am having the best time taking Whole Brain Living to the next level. Most importantly, I am working with a wonderful team to build the official Whole Brain Living Coach Training (WBLCT) program, which I intend to pilot over a 12-week period this Fall.

Please send me an email (WBLCT@drjilltaylor.com) if you are interested in receiving more information about that program! If you have already made contact with me, you should have received a response from our team.

In the meantime, I have been spending less time podcasting Whole Brain Living out into the world, and more time in committee meetings. Instead of just talking about Whole Brain Living, I have been more deeply involved with organizing conferences and online presentations to organizations; varying from school personnel/parents, police departments, judges, attorneys, nurses, geriatric care, and even yoga in prisons and yoga in 12 Steps programming—just to mention a few.

It’s had a phenomenal response! Clearly there is a need for Whole Brain Living.

It is beginning to address our cognitive/emotional well-being—in every profession and population. Whole Brain Living really is for everyone who has a brain, and I’m having a great time figuring out how to share this material. So, if you are interested in bringing Whole Brain Living to your leadership teams and networks, just reach out!

Attending these committee meetings has offered me the chance to observe Whole Brain Living in action. Each of the Four Characters are unique in how they show up, behave, interact with one another, and in what they contribute to the overall agenda. Although the first step to the mastery of this material involves each of us learning to identify and become familiar with our own Four Characters, once we have done that, you can gain greater awareness by observing the Four Characters and their small group dynamics with others.

It is important to note that whenever assessing anyone else’s characters, this examination needs to be done with full regard, respect, and appreciation for the beauty that each character brings to the table. Whole Brain Living can transform our relationships when we gain insight into how we can positively support all Four Characters in one another.

Right off the bat, I have noticed that the first person to speak—usually the one running the agenda—sets the tone and energy dynamic for the meeting. Some Character 1s begin by focusing everyone on the agenda items and timetable, as it is their purpose to run a tight meeting—and my Character 1 certainly appreciates that. Character 4s often open with a reflection, prayer, a statement of intention, or an expression of gratitude. A Character 2 might open a bit late… with an apology, while a Character 3 may have missed their own meeting all together, or appear with a sandwich—half in their hand and the other half on their shirt.

I tend to run a lot of these meetings and I purposely begin with a high vibration of enthusiasm and gratitude that those in attendance have chosen to participate. I do this consciously as a Character 4 for several reasons. First, I want to bring people into the present moment, and because I know that every attendee’s brain has mirror neurons, it will be their nature to follow my lead. Second, I want all in attendance to feel welcome and safe in this space, because I want them to share their thoughts and ideas. I am always hopeful that there will be a healthy exchange of information by enthusiastic participants, and in order for that to happen, we all need to feel valued.

I have also noticed that the leader of the meeting dictates how the Character 2s on the call will be treated by the pack. When observing Character 2s, I pay less attention to what they say and do, while focusing more on the energy they bring into the space. Before I understood Whole Brain Living and the Four Characters, I would often energetically bulldoze right over their nay-saying and worry. But now that I understand more about the Character 2, I realize that they often need calm reassurance. Because of this WBL insight, I now approach Character 2s with Character 4’s patience, love, and acceptance—and others tend to follow that lead.

I encourage you to pay attention the next time you are in a meeting to see who speaks first and how that person sets the overall tone for the rest of your time together. If a Character 1 opens the meeting, then notice how most folks respect the disciplined structure of getting things done, and how everyone walks out with their list of assignments. If it’s a Character 3 in charge, oh Lordy, who knows where the meeting will go, or when it will end! And if the Character 4 visionaries take over, expect a lot of fantastic visionary advice—but then watch the faces of the Character 1s, who might view those suggestions as not very practical. Character 1s are masterful at bringing the conversation back into practicality, by asking for either a vote, a return to the agenda, or a list of action steps.

I love this Whole Brain Living material because it is relevant in every avenue of our lives. By paying attention to the Four Characters and how they behave in small group dynamics, we can really master our ability to choose who and how we want to be.

And in those moments when your primary character thinks/feels like you are going to die—(from meeting stress or something else) just remember you have the power to call a BRAIN Huddle.

I am grateful that you are on this journey with me.

Here is a photo of some of my friends on my boat, BrainWaves!

From my brain to yours,
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor