Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

I was over at BusinessWeek Online today and read at Blogspotting an interesting take on “Vulnerability: Why journalists should blog.”

Vulnerability’s a good thing technology writer and guru Stephen Baker says. “It's what people need to establish healthy relationships, and it's why journalists (among others) should blog.” Do you agree?

Stephen shows the opposite of the kind of threat we see from competition that tries to beat out the other guy for every shred of the market… and that is … “To be vulnerable is to have your defenses down. Whether this is in a relationship or at work, it usually leads to better communication. Often you find that you didn't need the defenses in the first place. They just got in the way.”

Did you know that vulnerability … in various mixes … is in the genes … and it’s also developed by what we do? To have your defenses down and be Ok with that… you are likely more intrapersonally intelligent than a person who feels threatened and stays behind gruff or distant disguises.

So what can be done to come out of hiding for those whose brain produces less of the vulnerability mix in genes?

1. Write a letter to the editor… state a genuine idea you have to improve some part of your business community. Offer to help in the process and you’ll add even more of the vulnerability that builds relationships.
2. Try your hand at a sport that you do less well and deliberately laugh at yourself and enjoy developing a skill or two at the same time.
3. Go back to somebody who impressed you in business and tell that person what you learned as a result of working with him or her. Be specific and if the mood is right … throw in a thanks.

There … you have just built dendrite brain cell connectors for vulnerability – an engine of “intrapersonal intelligence” ... and that new neuron pathway usually throws your IQ up a notch or two over time. Another bonus from a good idea shared at BusinessWeek Online. What do you think?