I traveled to Tampa last week to attend the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) conference and I have a prediction to make: Daniel Pink will be the new Thomas Friedman.

As you certainly already know, Friedman and his book, The World Is Flat, have dominated education discussion for years, with his galvanizing message about the realities of globalization.

Pink is poised to take the conversation further. Granted, Pink’s book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future, has not sat atop the New York Times bestseller list for a year, the way Friedman’s did.

That notwithstanding, nearly everyone I bumped into or stood in line with at the AASA conference was talking about Pink. His keynote speech was packed.

Pink says that the skills we emphasize heavily in schools – the so-called left brain skills like logic, computation, and linear thinking – are not as important in the new global economy as the right-brain skills like creativity, design, and big-picture thinking.

Left-brain skills are still important, he says, but the right-brain stuff is essential. Put another way: Left-brain skills are the easiest to automate or outsource. The ability to design, create, interpret, and make connections – not so easy for a computer to master.

I confess that my over-developed right brain was cheering Pink on, while my puny left brain couldn’t put up much of a fight.

This was the second time I’d heard Pink speak. He’s an engaging and entertaining speaker, and clearly his message is resonating with educators, school leaders, and parents weary of the constant grind of standardized testing and drill-and-kill curriculum.

In case you missed him, Pink will speak at the National School Boards Association’s conference in Orlando in March. Check him out: Your right brain will be thrilled.

Kathleen Vail, Managing Editor