The Brain (Refresher)

90 mins

Topics: Limbic system, threats and rewards, Be SAFE & Certain (and reactions between people), working together, Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), positivity, brain care

PREPARATION

Please read the Discussion Tips section (under the 'Getting Started' dropdown) before you start facilitating these group sessions.
Pre-read each week's session before meeting with your group. Find your own words where you can.
Capture agreements: During this first session, we will revisit some of the agreements that we created previously with our team members – please capture these as you will refer to them in future sessions.
Create a safe space: These sessions will be most successful if you create and maintain a safe space where everyone participates. You can encourage participation by making sure there’s no judgment, acknowledging the value of contributions and sharing/being vulnerable .
Emotional preparation: Check your own emotional state. Practice a moment of mindfulness to ensure you are calm and collected. Make sure you are not trying to control others’ emotional states. You can role model openness, and be careful not to trigger fear states in others. Use this guide as a suggestion for how to hold the discussion. Items in italics are suggestions for what you might say, while non-italics text are suggestions of what to do. Feel free to make your own timings but do your best to keep the conversation on this material rather than drift off into other conversations about work topics or anything else that might be distracting.

AT THE END OF THE SESSION

Keep track of what people said they were going to practice so you can ask about it next time – invite team members to keep track of each other as well.

SET EXPECTATIONS

10 MINS | 0-10

You can use the text in italics to introduce this session, but consider finding your own words.

People with Possibility Refresher Course is a two session program where we collaborate and grow together. The program is designed for those who have already completed People with Possibility, as well as for new team members who are joining groups that have already completed the sessions.
We will be using social learning. That means we will watch videos together and discuss them in our group.
I have a discussion guide which we will follow, but this isn't about me teaching, it’s about us learning together.
Both refresher sessions will be 90 minutes in length.
We will be reviewing some concepts about our brains and how they work, as well as how our brain drives interactions with people. The material is equally relevant in and out of work. Please think and talk about how the content applies in both contexts.
We will start by watching a short video introducing us to the Refresher Sessions.

Most of this session is a discussion. Please ask questions – there are many suggested here, feel free to substitute or add your own that are relevant to your team. To encourage dialogue, add in your own personal experiences.

While it is recommended to spend 10 minutes in total on each video and discussion, this is not a requirement and can be adjusted based on the needs of the group.

THE LIMBIC SYSTEM

40 MINS | 10-50

Now we will start the People with Possibility Refresher content. We will watch four videos today pertaining to the limbic system, with ten minute discussions for each.

10 MINS | 10-20

White Video Camera Icon on Light Gray Circle

1:22 MINS

The limbic system

White Chat Bubble Icon on Light Gray Circle

GROUP DISCUSSION

Have each person share as much as they are willing to and try to create a discussion between team members if possible. Add in your own experience.

How do you experience rewards/dopamine?
What situations at work do you feel either stressed or threatened?

10 MINS | 20-30

1:15 MINS

Be SAFE and Certain

GROUP DISCUSSION

Might our different needs create challenges between people?
When we work together, how can we reduce limbic threats?
According to your specific contexts, how can you create certainty at work?

This section is about applying what we've learned about the limbic system and our Be SAFE & Certain needs.

10 MINS | 30-40

2:17 MINS

Gossip and Rumours

GROUP DISCUSSION

Was there ever a time where you experienced gossip and rumors individually or as a team?
How might we work to diminish gossip and rumors in the workplace?

10 MINS | 40-50

1:17 MINS

Us vs. them

GROUP DISCUSSION

How do we avoid the Us vs. them mentality when working with multiple teams of people?

THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX

20 MINS | 50-70

This section is about the PFC – which manages the limbic system and enables us to do our best work. We can be our best selves if we take care of our brain.

10 MINS | 50-60

2:27 MINS

The Prefrontal Cortex

GROUP DISCUSSION

What are you noticing about how much energy your brain (especially the PFC) uses on different activities and how it wears out during a day?
What do you need to do to take care of your brain? Consider food, sleep, exercise, limiting technology and reducing task switching, etc.

10 MINS | 60-70

1:54 MINS

How to use the ABC model

GROUP DISCUSSION

How can we use the ABC model to better handle stressful situations to build resilience and capacity? Can you recall an example?

FOR NEXT TIME...

10 MINS | 70-80

Here are some suggestions of things we can practice:

Notice what creates limbic reactions – what Be SAFE & Certain elements are you particularly sensitive to? Which elements do you need in order to feel good about yourself and your work?
Consider using the language of limbic reactions, threats, rewards and PFC together at work.
Try to notice when you feel a limbic threat, and use the ABC model to choose your response.
Notice your energy flow over the week. What depletes your energy? What do you need to take care of your brain and recharge your PFC?
At work, name your threat and reward reactions.
Find ways to keep the learning alive – e.g., buddies, group conversation during the week or a chat group where people can share their wins and insights.

COMMITMENTS

10 MINS | 80-90

There are certain commitments that we can make both individually and as a team that can potentially help us retain the PwP material and further benefit us while we navigate challenges at work. This could include:

Printing the Be Safe and Certain and ABC Model to have at your desk.
Joining the PwP Workplace group to have further discussions on what we can better do to prioritize brain care.

PRACTICE MOMENTS

Practice moments are regularly occurring circumstances where you can apply the People with Possibility principles. This is where you can breathe life into the practices. Read here for more.

1-1 MEETINGS

- Which of the Be SAFE & Certain elements do you respond the most to – as a need or a preference? How does this influence how you do your work?
- Notice that your team members also have preferences and needs. Different needs will sometimes lead to disagreements, disliking and/or conflict.
- How do you manage threats and how much energy does it take?
- How can you create a calm state for your 1-1 meetings?

TEAM MEETINGS

- What threats do you experience? What rewards?
- What expectations have you created unconsciously?
- How might you use ABC to prepare for team meetings?

ON-BOARDING

- How can you help a new team member feel safe and certain?
- How can you create a sense of belonging?
- What is your impact on new people?

FACILITATOR’S POST-SESSION REFLECTIONS

How did I create a safe and courageous space for this dialogue?
How did I role model mindful behaviour and what did I do to increase limbic rewards and reduce threats in this session?
What do I notice about which Be SAFE & Certain elements each of my team members are most sensitive to? What about my own needs/sensitivities?
How can I reduce threats (remember that threats are the limbic system’s perceived threats to the Be SAFE & Certain elements) and increase rewards?
What can I do regularly with my team to increase rewards and reduce Be SAFE & Certain threats? And how can I help people change their misperceptions about these elements that cause threats for them?

Report abuse