How the brain works in change

This Connect is about how the brain reacts to stress. For additional research on the ‘amydala hijack’ take a look here: https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/amygdala-hijack
For a deeper understanding of the sort of threats that may be perceived but the brain, check out the work of David Rock: https://www.mindtools.com/akswgc0/david-rocks-scarf-model

What is Squadify Connects?

Punchy, actionable insights and tips to make the life of the team leader a breeze.

[00:00:00] Pia: Our brains are hardwired to respond to threat, which means that high pressure working environments contest our powers of rational behavior. Today we're understanding the science of the brain in order to give us one valuable second to avoid making that potential career limiting comment or action. I'm Pia.

[00:00:22] Dan: And I'm Dan, and this is Squadify Connects. Our reptilian brain scanned for threat five times a second in order to keep us alive. That really worked well when there were saber-tooth tigers, about to attack us, but can cause overwhelm and overreactions in today's vuca. Working world. You know when changes happen in the work environment, neuroscience, the study of the brain and the nervous system helps us to understand what's actually happening and gives us an opportunity to slow or stop subconscious reactions and instead choose conscious ones.

[00:00:56] Pia: We've all heard of an amygdala hijack. You know, the man attacking the office photocopier or random acts of road rage. It's the time when the perception of threat floods the limbic brain with adrenaline and cortisol hormones and the flight. Fight or freeze response happens. Minds can go blank or anger erupts, but neither is particularly helpful to either leading others or as a role model. The prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain is where we perform executive functioning of rationalizing strategizing and decision making.

[00:01:33] Dan: And sadly, that is the part of the brain that is cut off by the amygdala at these tricky times. So h, how do we in these times of heightened emotion and perceived threat, how do we restore thinking to that prefrontal cortex? Breathing and oxygen is key to reducing the hormone levels and rerouting our thought patterns towards that conscious prefrontal cortex. Being aware of. What is happening is absolutely crucial.

[00:02:01] So this week's action is getting to understand how you operate under threat and what happens to you physiologically. Identifying triggers are really important, and knowing what creates a sense of threat for you. What feelings do you experience, and where in your body? Try taking a deeper breath. If you feel that stress, feel your feet on the floor and take a literal second to choose a more rational response. You may need to take time out or stop doing what you are doing. If you're delivering important news of change to someone, be mindful of their response as well and be observant of their reactions. It may be important to give them a little time out too.

[00:02:40] Pia: Yes, indeed. So, whilst we may have differing personalities, there are actually many similarities in the way that our brains are wired and understanding our responses to triggers and developing strategies to help us regain composure are important life and work enhancing skills, particularly in times of change. They are also important in creating psychological safety, which is a topic that we're gonna revisit next week to support our team and ourselves during these change initiatives. So see you then.