Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

This is an excellent reason to spend time with ourselves, pooling those calmer moments for when they're needed. My wife always finds it disconcerting when I can be so calm during a crisis... it's just the way I'm wired.

There's a great little Proverb (23:7) I think illustrates this same principle: "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

Wow -- what an inspired word of wisdom to catch the heart of deeper reflection that generates more brain based responses Bob. What a winner -- hats into the ring for this idea:-) Thanks.

Hello Dr. Weber,

Have you ever read the book, The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey? He talks about the width of the "gap" between outside stimuli and our response. The wider the gap, the wiser the response. Obviously, Kramer's gap wasn't wide enough that night because he didn't think before he spoke.

Quick question. Are you saying that there's a difference between a "knee jerk" reaction and a "brain based" response? I've been publicly insulted because of the colour of my skin by people who had no previous interaction or contact with me.

Cultural and social conditioning appears to play a large part in what happens between people who don't share the same ethnicity and skin color. Children "learn" how to hate from their parents and their peers.

Thank you for making me think today by posting this and sharing what will challenge all who read what you've written.

Manchild

Hello Dr. Weber,

Have you ever read the book, The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey? He talks about the width of the "gap" between outside stimuli and our response. The wider the gap, the wiser the response. Obviously, Kramer's gap wasn't wide enough that night because he didn't think before he spoke.

Quick question. Are you saying that there's a difference between a "knee jerk" reaction and a "brain based" response? I've been publicly insulted because of the colour of my skin by people who had no previous interaction or contact with me.

Cultural and social conditioning appears to play a large part in what happens between people who don't share the same ethnicity and skin color. Children "learn" how to hate from their parents and their peers.

Thank you for making me think today by posting this and sharing what will challenge all who read what you've written.

Manchild

Yes, I am aware of Covey's work - and thanks for the reminder, Manchild. What I post here differs though.

The work cited here is taken from MITA brain based approaches though, not from Covey's work, and these unique approaches relate to what is now known about how the brain operates.

A great deal of surprisingly new information has surfaced in the past 5 years even -- and MITA brain based approaches - simply draws from that research in science to create tools for learning and leadership.

What a person stores within the brain's basal ganglia in calmer or reflective moments - will surface as responses when storms hit. People with difficult backgrounds still store what they choose to store as adults -- and what we store is what we have to use when storms or cortisol moments hit. It's quite hopeful when you look at the brain's plasticity to see how it rewires itself daily -- based on what we do with our day.

Research in these areas has never been more prolific.

What a wonderful, clear, and helpful post! Thanks.

Thanks Wally -- it amazes me how the brain reveals itself in our daily lives:-) Now there is a case for thoughtful reflection on an ongoing basis:-)

Hi Dr. Weber,

Does this mean that Richards excuse that he is not a racists is in fact a denial of what is actually in his heart and mind, because his "pool" of thought only rose to the surface when he was angered? I tend to believe that when people are angry, they say exactly what they mean, whether they regret it later or not. He may not have been aware of his own racism, there are probably plenty of passive racists out there, but that doesn't make what he said and did any better.

What a brilliant insight and also question. This invites a new blog Kimberlee ... and I'll write one today or tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by -- and for the deep challenges you bring to the discussion!