Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Each time we use good tone in tough situations we decrease its effect in any workplace, because that's how the human brain's plasticity works. People call it politics ... it's really poor tone ... and it cons insecure people into hidden burrows daily.

Unfortunately though, we can no more change another’s tone than we can improve a person’s diet or drinking habits. Since poor tone tends to be  deeply rooted in stress or other intrapersonal problems, it’s almost impossible to “fix”  people who funnel its toxins into a group, so it's often best not to even try.

Still, when tone holds back innovation … we can prevent its worst destruction, by simply doing its opposite whenever it hits.

When bad tone strikes …

1. … masked as diligence, show how mistakes that we openly admit, make the best stepping stone forward.

2. … in a cynical mindset, to rob innovation … reward your own and other’s talent, in a meaningful way.

3. … from fatigue, try new sleep patterns and share your results, with others who'd benefit from knowing sleep cycles.

4. … in a meta message where what is said is not what is meant, question to clarify.

5. … because of boredom, laugh at everything you can think of to liven up a dull day, and then invite a fun friend to dinner - or plan a trip to the country. Set the brain in a different situation, and you'll  restore its ability to cope.

Wherever it comes from, poor tone dumps higher levels of cortisol toxins into our brains. Luckily, an antidote to cortisol … serotonin … can be added and stored ahead in your brain’s bank. Any serotonin deposit you make will help you and others to sidestep barbs that ambush your day, when you least expect them. You may not be able to change the world – but you can maintain your well being far more than most realize.

Yes, these any good tone tactics you practice from the tips above, will likely impact others over time, yet they’ll rarely come to work as a quick fix to stop another person’s toxins.


In fact, to see how many people face stress and poor tone daily, check out yesterday’s interesting discussion over at Liz Strauss’ post at, Successful Bloggers.

Any tone tips you’d be willing to add to the list here?