Right – Left … Right – Left

Not the marching chant. Rather … this. Nancy and I have a couple we see often. Conversation always very balanced, back and forth. Over dinner mostly. Really fun.I’ve noticed something interesting. Our chatter usually moves to a pattern as these evenings unfold.He ends up talking to Nancy. I end up talking to his wife. Oh sure. Why wouldn’t two guys to play a little talking “switchies” with two beautiful gals. But a fundamental observation came to me as to why this he/she… me/her conversation showed up. He and Nancy are left brain … she and I are right brain.To describe what I saw as the distinct differences here?

Their preferred subject matter:

• Travel

• Traffic in Atlanta

• Politics

• House renovation

• Events … vacation spot; kids

• Fact based stuff … more black and white content.

 Our discussion?

• Her art

• My coaching

• How we feel about lots of things

• Challenging relationships

• Big picture, overarching stuff. Life, growth.

Don’t know how I missed this in the past. But I could never figure out why the four of us paired off this way … every time.I then reviewed each of those I coach … my daughters … my grandchildren … Nancy! “Why is it so hard at times for them to hear me? Why don’t they get it?”

Well, guess what! Left brain/right brain, dummy. Simple. Not new. But a distinction to be made when considering the nature of conversation, any thought or idea exchange. Left brain … factual, less trusting. Maybe a bit more skeptical. Right brain … aspirational, big picture more trusting. Maybe a bit more optimistic. Forward looking.

Another example. My friend’s wife and I are basically dyslexic when it comes to directions. (I peed on the floor the other night because I couldn’t remember where the bathroom was … in my own house!) Get it? My wife and him? Like the finest Google Mapped, Waze expert robot. Go there. Turn here. Right brain …left brain. But of course.So the next time you feel a little awkward talking to someone. Find the conversation a little disconnected, ask yourself. Is this person left brain or right brain. Maybe move more alongside their way of thinking. Appreciate, value this difference. God knows our world needs both.