Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Have you ever wished you’d added a word of hope … when a situation seemed grim?

Or have you regretted that you tossed in words of defeat … rather than insights for a solution?

Words tend to shape the direction of business far more than you may realize. How so?



(I should mention that this cartoon which triggered Brad Shorr’s contest  was originally produced for Bill Welter, president of Adaptive Strategies and co-author of The Prepared Mind of a Leader.) It reminds us how words can cost! Have you seen it happen?

Sadly, words hold 5 hidden dangers that undermine people and limit profits.

1. Negative words … come doused in tone problems that work against human brains like gasoline works against a car wash. Once out they cannot be suctioned back.

2. Ranting may appear to get problems out in the open … yet actually grows additional dendrite brain cells for further vents.

3.  Complaints tend to stir up cortisol chemicals  in others … and tend to distance people from solutions they might otherwise achieve.

4. Criticism will take entire teams down … usurping the energy and talents from creativity or innovation.

5. Insincere words create meta messages that kill trust and openness in any work setting.

Fortunately, words also pack 5 hidden powers to increase brainpower and add profitability.

1. Challenging words … motivate curiosity for discovery … invention … and added value at work. Daily I am challenged by words from Dr. Robyn McMaster ... with whom I am privileged to work.

2. Inclusive words welcome multiple intelligences to the table as tools and solutions for daily problems that arise.

3. Current words can help to rewire the human brain’s plasticity for new ideas, improved quality, and a more competitive edge.

4.  Encouraging words tend to build goodwill – even with those who disagree.  Encouragement is the glue that sticks diverse angles together – so that people catch the wider views.

5. Entrepreneurial words add dynamo because they transform mediocre routines into distinctives that allow firms to compete at the cutting edges.

What was that you just said?