According to Dr. Geil Browning, the founder of the brain-based personality assessment, Emergenetics, the left-brain or Analytical/Structural combination is found in 17 percent of the population. This is the most prevalent profile in the Emergenetics database. This kind of thinker dives instead of skimming the surface. They prefer to study a subject in depth and look at learning vertically, from a deep, narrowly focused point of view. They describe their work as organized, detailed, efficient, results-oriented, and structured.

Lindsey is married and has two sons. A loving and kind person, she occasionally runs her family with military-like precision. Analytical and structural thinking are her strengths. She has been this way her entire life. She is extremely confident in her abilities. Growing up, school came easy to her. Her parents and teachers always told her that she was so smart. Math and science were her favorite subjects and she brought home one award after another in these two areas.

Lindsey is employed with the XYZ Company. She is a diligent worker and is well-respected by her colleagues. She always arrives at work on time and is willing to work late if she feels it necessary to do so. Interestingly enough; however, if she does arrive late to work or a meeting or anything else, barring some unforeseen incident, it is usually a sign that she probably does not want to be there in the first place. Why else would a very structured person be late for anything?

Once inside her office, she does not like to be disturbed or waste her time. Wasting time is a major pet peeve of hers. When it comes to being able to "squeeze blood out of a turnip" from a time-saving standpoint, there is no one better than this left-brained co-worker. She has either spent time the previous weekend planning her whole week or the previous evening planning her whole day, so every hour and minute of the day is accounted for. Therefore, once she is in her office, there is no time for small talk. The usually smiling and expressive right-brained employee, who occasionally likes to poke his head in her office and talk endlessly about something that is not on her radar screen at the moment, can be a major annoyance to her. However, if he walks into her office when Lindsey just happens to have that time carved out for "communicating with others" then he will find a person who is willing to talk about almost anything.

During staff meetings, if a particular problem is being discussed and her co-workers are debating the issue incessantly, Lindsey will say nothing. Instead, she will listen intently. She likes to hear everyone's point of view before speaking, and only after analyzing her co-worker's suggestions, will she finally voice what is deemed by others to be a very logical and practical solution.

Lindsey's life is ruled by guidelines. From the way she dresses (usually solids), the foods she eats (almost the same type every day), to the way her weekends are planned, there is not much deviation. She is not much for change and she loves having control of her schedule.

Although Lindsey is quite capable, she does not prefer Conceptual thinking. Brainstorming big ideas can be a challenge to her. She can also be quite leery of them. She is not at all like her right-brained Conceptual counterpart who lies awake all night coming up with one new idea after another. Lindsey likes ideas that are tried and true. That is why Google.com has become her new best friend. When a co-worker asks Lindsey to brainstorm ideas for a new project, Lindsey immediately turns to Google to research what similar projects have already been done successfully. Her motto, "Why reinvent the wheel?"

Lindsey does not prefer social or relational thinking. Although she is quite cordial while in the company of others, sometimes she is perceived as being cold and distant. I am not saying that she is not very nice. On the contrary, she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. However, coupled with her less than expressive behavioral attributes, she would prefer not to engage in long "social" discussions. Some co-workers have said that she has no feelings. This is not true, either. She does have feelings. Just do not expect her to wear them on her sleeve like her right-brained counterpart. If you are the type to wear your heart on your sleeve, Lindsey is the last person to seek when in need of sympathy. She does not think the way you do. If you come to her with a problem and you happen to become emotional and begin to cry, her initial response may very well be to tell you to stop crying. Lindsey means well, but she may even ask you a couple of analytical questions to get to the crux of the matter, for example, "What can you learn from this experience?" or "What is your outcome?"

A lot can be learned from your left-brained co-worker. For starters, you definitely need them on your team. Whom else would you seek out when you need to know the answer to a particular question? They do not let their emotions get in the way when making decisions and their attention to detail is second to none. They can often compensate for their lack of conceptual or big picture thinking by being well planned, methodical, and organized. The left-brained co-worker is a "straight-shooter." If you ask them a question and you really do not want to know the answer, then I suggest you do not ask. You never have to guess where they stand on any issue. With them, what you see is what you get.

P.S.: The next time you decide to visit their office remember to knock or email them first.