Highlights:

The four parts of our brain provide a functional metaphor to describe four behavior styles: Warrior, Peacemaker, Logical, Creative.


Examples of Four Behavior Styles

It was the end of the fiscal year, and we had a problem – the books did not balance. As chief financial officer I thought we should to get the key accounting staff together and work the problem. This would encourage teamwork and participation in improving our accounting process. The Controller, however, asserted that he could find the error by himself, alone in his office, stating that he was motivated by the challenge.

Here we see two behavior styles: I wanted to mentor the staff, and strengthen professional relationships -- the Peacemaker style. My controller friend wanted to be independent, a hero accepting the challenge to balance the books -- the Warrior style.

I experienced two other behavior styles when my wife, Wendy, and I were looking at paintings in the DeYoung museum in San Francisco. We remarked about the painting each was looking at. “It’s so soft with warm hues of color, and a feeling of adventure,” said Wendy. I was marveling at a painting for its geometric organization, its orderly approach. It took a while for us to realize that we were describing the same painting, “After The Hunt,” by William Harnett.

How could we look at the same thing, and each describe it so differently? We had been married for a quarter century! Ah-ha! We soon realized that I preferred the balanced and organized aspects of the painting, which was a left-brain Logical behavior style. Wendy preferred the spontaneous, free-form appearance, which is a right-brain Creative style.

In summary, “Heads-Up Leadership” capitalizes on the strengths of employees who gravitate to and thrive using these behavior styles:

Warrior. I-oriented person interested in individual achievement
Peacemaker. We-oriented person interested in empowering others
Logical. Rational person interested in efficiency
Creative. Spontaneous person interested in new possibilities

The next section explains how the brain’s architecture provides a functional metaphor to describe these four behavior styles.


Styles Based on Four Brains

The structure of the brain can be described by combining two models of brain organization. The first model is the triune brain, or three-in-one brain. This was described by Paul MacLean of the National Institute of Mental Health, who reported that the brain evolved over millions of years in three distinct stages. If we take a cross section of the brain we would see three parts. The oldest part of the brain is the brain stem, the top of which is referred to as the reptilian brain. It is the size of your finger. The next oldest part of the brain is the limbic system, also known as the old mammalian brain. Like a small bagel it surrounds the reptilian brain. The intelligence we ascribe to human beings is attributed to the third part, the neocortex, or “thinking cap.”

The second model is the bicameral brain, or the two-chambered brain. Roger Sperry of the California Institute of Technology demonstrated that the left and the right halves of the neocortex are specialized. They have different functions, and communicate via a connecting membrane, the corpus callosum.

Thus, we have four parts of the brain: Two ancient parts, reptilian and mammalian, that focus inward on our survival, emotional and nurturing needs, and two modern parts, left and right halves of the neocortex, that focus outward using rational intelligence. Each part has its distinctive behavior style.

In describing the behaviors of the reptilian brain think of a snake or a lizard or dragon. They are independent, powerful and competitive, like the T-Rex dinosaur. This is the Warrior style.

Consider the characteristics of cattle or dogs or horses, when describing the behaviors of the mammalian brain. They are, community-oriented, interpersonal, and nurturing. We call this style, Peacemaker.

Football provides us an illustration of left-brain and right-brain behaviors. The left-brain is ready to implement the prescribed play in an organized and orderly fashion. We call this style, Logical. Once the ball is snapped and play starts, the right-brain looks for opportunities and can take spontaneous action depending on the situation. We call this behavior style, Creative.

This is not an exact model of how the brain works, but is a functional metaphor based on the brain’s architecture. Carole Austen, a researcher and educator associated with the Creative Problem-Solving Institute in Carmel Valley, California, developed this Whole Brain Model of behavior styles. The four behavior styles are linked to parts of the brain as shown below.





Characteristics of the Four Behavior Styles

This section will help you further understand the four behavior styles. All of us use all four styles at one time or another, however, we usually prefer some styles over others. To understand what “preferring” means, consider right-and left-handedness. We all use both hands but we tend to prefer one over the other. We usually prefer one of the two styles residing in the ancient brain, Warrior or Peacemaker, and we usually prefer one of the two styles residing in the modern brain, Logical or Creative.

Each style is described in the following four exhibits. They are described as if they were a person’s only style of behavior so that you get a sense of style’s influence on your behavior. Characteristics change within each behavior style depending on the person’s state-of-mind. High self-esteem and confidence generates positive characteristics that are grouped at the top of each chart. Everyday, usual and customary characteristics are grouped in the middle of each chart, and low self-esteem, or high stress, generates negative characteristics that are grouped at the bottom of each chart.

Warrior. This style is I-oriented, and independent. When you want things done, call on Warriors. Their dogged persistence, competitive spirit, and assertiveness ensure challenging jobs get done. Others, however, tend to see them as domineering and selfish with little tolerance for the feelings and inadequacies of others. Exhibit 1 lists characteristics of this style.

Exhibit 1. Warrior Characteristics

High self-esteem, high confidence
Heroic action, Has the will to endure hardships
Motivated by challenge, Great personal power

Normal self-esteem
I-oriented, Assertive
Risk-taker, Independent
Competitive, Hates to lose
Leader, Takes a strong position
Self-confident, Persistent
Alone, Aggressive

Low self-esteem, high stress
Isolated, Selfish
Disagreeable, Antagonistic
Can be ruthless and cruel, Continues when should stop
Sometimes violent, Becomes frustrated and impatient
Low tolerance for the feelings and inadequacies of others

People We Know
Dick Cheney, Margaret Thatcher, Rudy Giuliani,
Jane Fonda, Condoleeza Rice

Peacemaker. This style is We-oriented and inter-dependent. Preference for the Peacemaker style means that the person has faith in groups, and is open to contributions from others. They seem very caring, being good listeners and mentors, and give recognition and appreciation to others. On the down side, sometimes connection with others can become more important that content and they say “yes” when they should say “no.” It can be difficult for them to set boundaries, and they may become too dependent on others, and even a doormat for others to “walk on.” Exhibit 2 lists characteristics of this style.

Exhibit 2. Peacemaker Characteristics

High self-esteem, high confidence
Loving intention, Sincere caring
Warm friendship, Nurturing love
Community power, Diplomat

Normal self-esteem
We-oriented, Cooperative
Mentor, Approachable
Networking, Sociable
Interdependence, Good listener & understands
Care-giver, Encourages and supports others
Forms and maintains relationships
Gives recognition and appreciation to others

Low self-esteem, high stress
Co-dependent, Self-Sacrifice
Feels indispensable, Difficult to set boundaries
Manipulator & feels entitled, Says “yes” when should say “no”
Forgiving to a fault, Vacillates
Support and approval from others is more important that the task
Does anything to stay connected, like instilling guilt, putting others
in their debt

People we know
Colin Powell, Alan Alda, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby

Logical. When a Logical style person does anything it is based on analysis of facts, and is well planned and organized. The approach is steadfast, prudent and level-headed. His logical solutions may not be practical, however, because they may ignore human feelings and needs for ownership and interpersonal relationships. He may be too rigid to be a change agent, being overly pessimistic and being paralyzed by analysis. Exhibit 3 lists characteristics of the Logical style.

Exhibit 3. Logical Characteristics

High self-esteem, high confidence
Scientific observation, Objective
Takes action, Strives for excellence and quality
Steadfast, Prudent
Philanthropist, “Sticks to their guns”

Normal self-esteem
Analyst, Linear
Achieves, Organized
Plans carefully, Wants accuracy
Grounded in reality, Emotionally detached, cool
Assertive, Responsible & Dependable
Conventional, Level-headed
Uses a logical, fact-based, orderly approach

Low self-esteem, high stress
Rigid, Critical
Censoring, Fear of failure
Overly pessimistic, Paralysis by analysis
Uses knowledge to manipulate
Cannot stand to be proven wrong
Structure and order become more and more important

People We Know
John Ashcraft, Alan Greenspan, Dr. Laura Slesenger, Milton Friedman

Creative. Creative persons thrive on new ideas – colorful, artistic, imaginative, and sometimes confusing ideas. They are spontaneous, artistic, and challenge the status quo. On the down side, they rarely show up at a meeting on time or make a deadline. They can be irresponsible and rash, and talk when they should be listening. The Creative person can start off with a great idea, then get off track and start rambling. This can cause chaos at staff meetings. Here a Logical colleague needs to step in and provide a well thought out and rational approach. Exhibit 4 is a list of Creative characteristics.

Exhibit 4. Creative Characteristics

High self-esteem, high confidence
Spontaneous, Exploratory
Imaginative, Intuitive
Challenges the status quo, Leaps ahead

Normal self-esteem
Visionary, Adventuresome
Artistic & Musical, Has fun
Thinks big, Initiates new projects, Persuasive
Curious, Outgoing and friendly
Generates enthusiasm, Impulsive
Play-it-by-ear, Innovative

Low self-esteem, high stress
Disorganized, Irresponsible
Easily distracted, Loose cannon
Gullible, Wild, Crazy
Indiscriminate, Hyperactive, Impatient
Out of control, Acting out, Talks when should be listening
“Fire, Ready, Aim”, Rash
Excessive: Doesn’t know when to stop.

People We Know
Ted Turner, Stephen Jobs, Robin Williams, David Letterman


You know these behavior styles, and you work with these people. In my experience from service in Vietnam to organizations in California, humans are capable of all four behaviors. Any person can draw on each style to solve a problem and succeed at life. People tend to gravitate to one or two styles that allow them to feel powerful, relevant, effective, and to thrive as human beings.

When a leader knows his own dominant styles and the styles of his employees, he can create effective synergies, as if placing clock gears to run a fine timepiece.

The next article provides a self-assessment so you can identify your dominant behavior styles. Subsequent articles describe how knowledge of these behavior styles has been applied in various leadership activities to vitalize collaboration and productivity.