Neuroscience in the office

Neuroscience to develop your potential

Be creative!

Contrary to popular belief, creativity isn't just innate. It's a skill that can be cultivated, in particular by stimulating the body and brain - taking advantage of the formidable neuroplasticity and learning capacities of people of all ages.

Of course, some people are naturally gifted with original thinking, a fertile imagination or an ability to find innovative solutions. However, this does not mean that creativity cannot be developed in those who do not possess these predispositions. New experiences, environments offering opportunities for problem-solving, exposure to different influences in management, culture and art, as well as education and play, can all help creativity to flourish.

Not to mention the fact that understanding the influence of sleep and the different types of naps (producing different brain waves) is a major asset for anyone wanting to be even more creative.

Sleep is good

Sleeping four hours a night because you've got unfinished business is counter-productive.

The brain needs sleep to function properly. Memory is consolidated during the night. What's more, chronic sleep deprivation leads to premature aging, as the brain's toxins are cleansed while we sleep. This lack of sleep eventually leads to cognitive decline and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Neuroscience - by elucidating how the brain works - can help to promote learning and the consolidation of acquired knowledge (alternating modes of learning, encouraging the right to make mistakes and experiment with pleasure, favoring non-consecutive days). In short, approaches that create, develop or reinforce the neural networks that enable us to learn and acquire new skills.

The end of ageism?

While it was long thought that cognitive abilities disappeared inexorably with age, it is now known that stimulating the brain and moving the body makes adaptation possible.

Get moving

Combining movement and learning is a winning recipe for success at work or school. What's more, movement oxygenates the brain and reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. Another advantage... Maintaining flexibility, range of motion, balance and coordination - through movements adapted to each individual's physical condition - is one of the approaches being explored in longevity.

Don't forget to stay hydrated and eat well

The intestine has its own nervous system - the enteric nervous system - linked to the brain by the vagus nerve. The intestine produces serotonin, which affects mood. An anti-inflammatory diet supports health and performance - coaches and athletes already know this... Why not executives, managers and employees too?

Neuroscience in the workplace

Body language and the magic of mirror neurons

A happy face is contagious. Smiling puts our brains in the right frame of mind (smiling doesn't induce the same internal state as frowning. Try it and see what happens). The brains of our colleagues also receive this information and synchronize if a link or connection exists between us. It's a useful mechanism to be aware of in order to promote individual and collective stress management.

Making a good impression

Although it's always said that you only get one chance to make a good first impression... Be aware that - if your first presentation to management gets off to a rocky start - participants' memories will typically retain more of the emotional moments they (and not you) have experienced. So, choose to end on a positive note and put more intensity on your finale. The lasting impression will be the one left by this memorable conclusion.

Increasing performance

The leader who favors constructive feedback (feedforward rather than feedback, relying on the brain's capacity for projection and imagination), authentic communication (Marshall Rosenberg's method of non-violent communication) and continuous learning, can strengthen the team's mobilization and chances of achieving its business objectives.

Facilitating change

Interpersonal skills are essential in any organization. Developing and using them can contribute to buy-in and collaboration. Being able to decipher the interactions between team members, using a logical and structured approach, facilitates change management and can speed up projects - reducing the time needlessly wasted in resolving conflicts that might otherwise have been averted.

Avoiding mistakes...

Attempting to concentrate on several tasks at the same time (multitasking) is not synonymous with productivity, but rather with an increased risk of errors, leading to disappointing results and inefficiency. It's better to concentrate on just one task at a time - to optimize cognitive capacity - even if it means spending less time on a given task and then devoting yourself fully to the next one.

In conclusion

Neuroscience helps us to better understand how we function, and to take advantage of the levers recently discovered by scientists in the field. They enable us to implement strategies to manage the inevitable cognitive biases. David Rock, PhD, founder and director of the Neuroleadership Institute, humorously reminds us that when you have a brain... You automatically have cognitive biases!

Discovering the advances in neuroscience is exciting and enables us to implement appropriate means to be better in our heads, our bodies and thus be at our best to meet the challenges associated with the responsibilities of our role in the company.

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