It’s called interpersonal intelligence… and you can grow more of it by capturing insights from others’ words, imitating useful habits from their actions and taking tips from their tone. Ever made practical attempts to learn from others in a deliberate way?
New research shows how one can observe others you respect to gain wisdom from their unique mix of intelligences. If you were to name keen strengths in people you work with – what would these be? Do you learn from people around you, mimic their best practices, or ask their advice when you hit a snag at work?
Smart skills for imitation rejuvenate your brain's capability because:
1. The brain grows new dendrite cell connectors based specific things you do. So when you mimic what you value in others, you rewire your own brain for the same results that person enjoys.
2. Over time, the basal ganglia stores routines and skills you do, and these get far easier with use. How so? Practices that you imitate, start out in the working memory and eventually take root in the basal ganglia, where they are easily retrieved and comfortably repeated.
3. To imitate others’ strengths … creates a head start on skill development that will grow into the uniqueness that defines you. Researcher, Krishna Shenoy, at Stanford University, discovered that … contrary to what most believe … the nervous system is not designed to repeat things exactly the same way, and so what starts with imitation will soon be converted in your brain into innovative uniqueness that defines your expression of that skill.
It turns out the human brain is well designed to capture and capitalize on others’ best insights, and not by breaking copyright laws or infringing on creativity. Have you noticed, for instance, that those who imitate and learn from gifted people, tend to produce similar great results? If you consider how the mind works to internalize talents and develop smart skills, it makes sense to try out something you admire in others. What do you think?
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