Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Hold one view long enough and the human brain tends to block even shards of light that illuminate viewpoints on the other side. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Increasingly research shows how music alters brain waves. It's one mark of brain based peace plans ... for instance.   

Take the New York Philharmonic which just bridged North Koreans and American sensibilities across threats of violence political rhetoric.

When musical intelligence … bridged different belief systems, at Arirang ... both sides saw humanity on the other side of singlar opinions.

The Associated Press reported ….

… the adoring audience stood and applauded enthusiastically, waving to the musicians.

Orchestra members - some moved to tears - paused with their instruments and waved back, an emotional finale to the concert that was the highlight of their 48-hour visit.

Because it alters human brain waves musical cadence can create amazing mental landscapes … with new opportunities for peace. How could it work in your organization? 

Why not check out Psychologist Don Campbell’s research and then observe how music bridges differences at work.

* Gregorian chant creates quiet in our minds and can reduce stress.
* Slower Baroque music, such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi or Corelli, can create  mentally stimulating environments for creativity and innovation.
* Classical music, such as Haydn and Mozart, improves concentration and memory when played in the background.
* Romantic music, such as Schubert, Schumann, Tchaikovsky , Chopin and Liszt, enhances our senses and increases a sense of  sympathy and love.
* Impressionist music, such as Debussy, Faure and Ravel, can unlock dreamlike images that put us in touch with our unconscious thoughts and belief systems.
* Jazz, blues, soul or calypso music can uplift and inspire us, releasing deep joy or even deep sadness, conveying wit and affirming our common humanity.
* Salsa, rhumba, merengue and any form of South American music sets our hearts racing, gets us moving, both relaxing us and awakening us at the same time.
* Big band, Top 40 and country music engage our emotions and comforts us.
* Rock music stirs passion and activity to release daily tensions.  Rock can also mask pain and cover up unpleasant noises.  It holds power to create dissonance, stress or physical pain … unless one is in the mood for energizing.
* Ambient or New Age music with no dominant rhythm, tends to elongates the sense of space and time … to induce a state of relaxed alertness.
* Heavy metal and hip-hop music excites the human nervous system, and sometimes leads to acting out dynamic behavior or self-expression.
* Religious and sacred music tends to ground us in the moment … leads to peace and … adds spiritual awareness that helps us transcend pain.

Consider opposing sides where you work … then  match music with the moment. Any new opportunities arise?  Expect music to literally rewires human brains!