February 23, 2012

Why is Brain Science so “hot” in business?

“Secret decoder” for behavior Scientific data to support insight Building blocks for understanding what works Offers the promise of lasting change Relevant at the C-Level

Inspiration and Influence: Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

Managing the brain; maximizing impact

The Triune Brain Managing the Lizard (Limbic System) Maximizing your PFC (Pre-Frontal Cortex)

Brain mastery – for students! Questions

50,000 year old brains…

Our history…

~ 4+ billion years of earth 3.5 billion years of life 650 million years of multi-celled organisms 600 million years of nervous system ~ 200 million years of mammals ~ 60 million years of primates ~ 6 million years ago: last common ancestor with chimpanzees, our

closest relative among the “great apes” (gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, humans)

2.5 million years of tool-making (starting with brains 1/3 our size) ~ 150,000 years of homo sapiens ~ 50,000 years of modern humans ~ 5000 years of blue, green, hazel eyes

The Three Part Brain

Brain Stem Limbic Prefrontal Cortex

( PFC)

Triune Brain

Reptilian: Brainstem, cerebellum (movement), hypothalamus

(regulates primal drives – sex, food) Reactive and reflexive Avoid hazards

Mammalian: Limbic system (emotion), cingulate (attention), early

cortex Memory, emotion, social behavior Approach rewards

Human: Massive cerebral cortex Abstract thought, language, cooperative planning,

empathy

Negativity Bias

“Sticks” - Predators, natural hazards, social aggression, pain (physical and psychological)

“Carrots” - Food, sex, shelter, social support, pleasure (physical and psychological)

During evolution, avoiding “sticks” usually had more effects on survival than approaching “carrots.”

Urgency - Usually, sticks must be dealt with immediately, while carrots allow a longer approach.

Impact - Sticks usually determine mortality, carrots not; fail to avoid a stick today, no carrots tomorrow!

Consulting & Innovation January 24, 2012Module B 2011-2012

Effects on Cognition

The Lizzard is fast…

• Every interaction is based on how a person perceives danger and reward – processed in about 1/20 of a second

• We make these decisions biologically. 90% of our brain processing operation is unconscious and not known to us

• The limbic brain reaches a conclusion faster than the PFC and the PFC catches up with the logic

Decoding the Lizard Brain

The limbic system is aroused by emotions Makes toward or away decisions Hot spots are patterns of experience stored in your

limbic system and tagged as dangerous An overly aroused limbic system impairs your

cognitive functioning and dramatically reduces resources to the prefrontal cortex (PFC)

Once aroused, trying to suppress it only makes it worse and is very expensive on resource

Executive Presence Practice

1-2 min restores O2 and stops fight or flight response

Creativity research shows that extended meditation practice increases abilities for creativity and insight

Physical effects of Meditation

Strengthens anterior (frontal) cingulate cortex. Results improve attention, empathy and compassion

Increases activation of left frontal regions which lifts mood

Increases power and reach of gamma-range brain waves

Decreases stress-related cortisol Stronger immune systemSource: Dr. Rick Hanson, Self-directed Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, and Meditation – UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 2011

Consulting & Innovation January 24, 2012Module B 2011-2012

SCARF Model of Social Threats and Rewards

                              

Change puts people in “pain” Change=Uncertainty

• In times of change increase the sense of relatedness and fairness

• When threatening one area balance out with others• Some events produce a really strong SCARF response

i.e. “English is now our global language” creates threat in all 5 areas

• There are strong cultural differences in SCARF. Beginning to identify series of genes that makes relatedness more important in some cultures.

SCARF

With a partner: Think about the last time you were in a SCARF

event when someone triggered you: What happened to set you off? How might you handle the event differently next time?

You are the corporate athlete

The brain consumes 25% of our daily calories

A well rested and fueled brain has ONLY about 3 hours of very high capacity resource per day

Ultradian cycles are unique to each person - 90 minute cycles Ruthlessly manage your

schedule and work in 90 minute cycles with breaks

Prioritize processing tasks for the limited times of high processing capabilities

Fuel

You are the corporate athlete

Sleep is essential Research shows:

Cognitive function decreased to that of legally intoxicated after only 5 nights of severe sleep deprivation (4 hrs. per night)

Long term sleep deprivation (less than 7 hours per night) inhibits memory

2 Rem Cycles needed for maximum memory retention

10-30 minute nap shown to sustain cognitive performance

90 minute nap restores memory and enables cell repair

Getting Ideas to Stick - AGES

¨ Attention¨ Generative¨ Emotional¨ Spacing

Source: Davachi, L., Maril, A. and Wagner, A.D. (2001). When keeping in mind supports later bringing to mind: neural markers of phonological rehearsal predict subsequent remembering. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 13:1059-1070.

Attention – get focused

Research shows that the brain is single processor capable of fast switching on up to 7 tasks

However, multi-tasking reduces time to complete tasks by 25% and overall IQ by 15 %

Practice – eliminate distractions (devices, music, interruptions)

Generative – use it!

Practice: Ask questions Engage in discussion Do something that

works the concepts into the brain – assignment, survey

Be active

Emotion

Practice:

Use emotional devices – story, metaphor, images

Make a choice about positive and negative frames

Spacing (and repetition)

7 repetitions to lay down a new network

1000s to hard wire

Practice: space over time, best if one night of sleep in between intervals – repetition!

MIT: Magnetic Resonance Mathematical Model – Neuro-

networks of the Neo Cortex, 2008

Managing the brain; maximizing impact

SCARF for quelling the Lizard AGES for impact, retention and memory Corporate Athlete practices for surviving and

thriving as a busy student!

February 23, 2012

Skill development for Building Trust

AcknowledgeFeelings

ShowEmpathy

InquireRephrase

Skill Development: Active Listening

Show Empathy:70% of Communication is Non-verbal

Acknowledge Feelings

Inquire:Ask Open Questions (How, What)

Rephrase

• Use non-verbal cues - nod• “OK”• “I got that…”• Use open body language

• “Just to play back…”• “What I hear you saying is…”

• “I hear you saying that…”•

• “Can you say more about…?”• “Help me understand….”• “What are the issues with…?