Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Yesterday I highlighted 5 Surefire Ways to Zap Brainpower from Any Room.  Here are 5 equally workable ways to kick-start more brainpower in the same room with trouble makers at work.

1. Ask two footed questions that draw out another people’s many intelligences. For example a terrific leader in my community recently asked me… How could a driver education program in Europe be brain based? What a cool question – and in fact I answered it with a six-blog series to respond. Who’s imagination have you propelled in the direction of their talents lately?

2. Stand as peacemaker between people who disagree – so that instead of Tone as a blatant silent killer you use Tone to turn disagreements into organizational growth. It starts quite simply – each time we write a memo or email to build goodwill … even with those who disagree.

3. Offer encouragement rather than speak in meta messages or than to vent and watch others begin to respond with new sincerity. Over time people tend to respond more positively because encouragement raises the  levels of serotonin in the brain ... and so cynics no longer drain a room easily, because this jolt of adrenalin fuels people’s brains for more positive solutions.

4. Suggest a tip from your own expertise to trigger a conversation past problems they face and then simply build a few concrete ideas with them – based on any hint of a solution they offer in your conversation. People often hold their own best answers when they can reduce their cortisol levels that holds them prisoner to problems.  Draw them toward their own best advice and they’ll begin to create new neuron pathways past blame or victim-hood.

5. Show people what panic does to the brain and to health, and share a few tips you use to punch it out of your day.  Link panic to its outcome in conflict and chaos that might disguise itself as diligence – but in reality will wipe out any chance for progress in a workplace. Just as stress literally shrinks the human brain and shuts it down  – so do brain based tactics rewire the brain’s plasticity for successful outcomes.  

If the tips I’ve offered here don’t turn around a critical or negative workplace then it’s simply time to stick a neuron in your head and laugh it off!

What strategies do you use to ratchet up more brainpower where you work?