Neuroscience in Business?

You may wonder, “Why now?” Is it a fad?

While some may be buzzing that way, I think not. A number of factors have converged in the last decade, which result in most workplaces actually minimizing the abilities of the human brain. A combination of technology; 24/7 information bombardment; inadequate breaks, sleep and exercise; prevalence of stimulants like caffeine, sugar, and alcohol; prevalence of multi-tasking; the pace of change; the demand to work – quickly – with people we’ve never met and whose face we may never even see on a screen; plus the increasing concern of whether we’re high-enough on the hierarchy to be respected and, indeed, to stay employed, means that our brains are constantly stressed. Not a context for good brain function. Quite the contrary.

For example,

• Some very important tasks cannot be accomplished when multi-tasking: Neuro-plasticity – the condition required for any new thinking, or for learning and innovation – will not occur. Neither can trust be built while multi-tasking.
• Working memory is smaller than most managers realizes. New information cannot be processed when working memory is full: a common occurrence in an information-bombarded world. People simply cannot absorb multiple power point presentations. “Death by data” has become commonplace.
• New thinking, learning, new responses will not take place when people are afraid of danger or concerned about their status – their place on the hierarchy. Few organizations know how to proffer status.

Neuroscience offers a number of opportunities for competitive advantage.   Fear in response to downbeat economic news can be minimized by focusing on ways that employees can band together to address new client vulnerabilities and concerns.  Leading with inquiry – including people in new questions –  is a powerful way to neutralize status, and will greatly boost learning, innovation, and responsiveness – not to mention morale. These two alone can breed a best work environment.

Are you using Neuroscience to build a high-performing business culture?  Please share…

Filed under Business Anthropologist, neuroscience in business | Comment (0)