Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Is your brain more in A mode or B mode where you work? This quick survey will tell.

First, think of a creative, but difficult project that might improve your workplace and ratchet up the bottom line.

Then,  choose A or B in each of the 10 most likely statements you’d be prone to say. Would fellow workers find you mostly speaking A or B category at a staff or project meeting? Make sure you check 10 responses.

Would you say …

1. A. We could likely do this if we simply …
or….
B. It will never work because …

2. A. This idea could be profitable because …
or …
B. We cannot make money on that idea as …

3. A. That guy could do a great job if he …
or …
B. The guy is never going to make it here because …

4. A. This would be an opportune time for such innovation since …
or …
B. It’s a bad time of year to make anything new happen here …

5. A. It would likely be a great time to create change if we …

or …
B. We cannot afford to initiate improvements …

6. A. If we ask people their ideas they’d help to promote this idea to …
or
B. People won’t go for this idea because ...

7. A. Einstein and Pasteur found time to create and we can too if …
or …
B. There’s not time enough in the day to move beyond basics …

8. A. By learning from past mistakes, we’ll find success if …
or …
B. It didn’t work before and it won’t this time because …

9. A. We can prioritize new innovation by …
or …
B. We have other priorities and new ideas won’t fit because …

10. A. We’ll start with the progressive thinkers first and then …
or …
B. Other more senior people will never go for it because ….

If you checked the A response more than 7 times – you likely work more in serotonin mode – which primes the brain for progressive action at work. A score of 7 or more in the B categories suggests that you likely work far more in cortisol mode.

Are you aware that you can raise serotonin … and in so doing you will raise your brain’s chances for new possibilities at work?