2 YOUR BRAIN & OTHERS
70 mins
Topics: Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), working together, positivity, brain care
AT THE START OF THE SESSION
5 MINS | 0-5
Check your own emotional state.
Create and maintain a safe space.
This session in particular may highlight specific challenges between team members. What is needed so those conversations can happen safely?
Consider taking a minute of silence and eyes closed (or soft focus) to create a mindful space and help everyone be fully present in the session.
SET EXPECTATIONS
Brain science tells us that revisiting topics helps us learn. Talking about topics helps us translate the material to our own lives and work.
This program is designed so we build on what we’re learning, and start practicing habits together that we will use in the future.
Today’s topic is about your social brain – how the brain (particularly the limbic system) drives interactions between people. We will look specifically at how important the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is as the part of our brain that enables us to create and maintain positivity together. The brain has a negative tendency and if we don’t consciously create positivity, it is easy to derail teamwork.
We will reflect about how we impact each other especially when we’re not paying attention. We will discuss how we can be curious about emotions and how to work with emotions. Then we will look at how to increase limbic rewards and reduce limbic threats.
SHARE SOME EXPERIENCES FROM THE PAST WEEK
15 MINS | 5-20
Neuroscience tells us that the brain stores and retains learning better when we revisit our experiences and put words to what we learned. Have each person share as much as they are willing to and try to create a discussion between team members.
If you would like a reminder of what was covered last week, you can find a summary of the 'Your Brain and You' session here (under the 'topics' dropdown).
Let’s first check in on what we practiced in the last week about 'Your Brain and You' and how we impact one another. We will continue to deepen our understanding about this topic in today’s session.
What did you notice in the last week about your limbic system and how it creates threats and rewards?
What new awareness do you have about your Be SAFE & Certain preferences?
Have each person share as much as they are willing to and try to create a discussion between team members. Talk about your own experience, as when you are open, the group will be open.
THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX
20 MINS | 20-40
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.
10:46 MINS
GROUP DISCUSSION
Who noticed a different kind of action between the first limbic response and the one after the mindfulness exercise?
How can we support each other to use the slower PFC? And to be a bit more mindful?
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.
THE SOCIAL BRAIN & SUPPORTING POSITIVITY
20 MINS | 40-60
6:12 MINS
GROUP DISCUSSION
How can we make sure we have belonging, certainty and autonomy?
4:08 MINS
GROUP DISCUSSION
How would we describe our working culture? How positive are we generally?
How much do we look for what goes well rather than what is wrong?
What positivity and brain care practices do we want to adopt? E.g.,appreciation, looking for what is working, encouragement, taking more breaks, supporting each other’s self-care.
FOR NEXT TIME...
10 MINS | 60-70
Write down what is discussed, so you can refer back to it next week.
What resonated with you from this week's session? What will you practice in the next week?
Here are some suggestions of things we can practice:
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? (See two short videos in additional resources to deepen your knowledge of these specific topics).
Try to notice when you feel a limbic threat, and use the ABC model to choose your response.
Have 1-1 conversations to agree on how to reduce threats and increase rewards; in the moment, be curious about each other’s emotional reactions and choose behaviors to increase rewards and reduce threats.
See the 'Practice Moments' section below for ideas of how to apply the content in specific situations.
How can we support each other in practicing?
We have found that the learning is deeper when the group interact during the week. You may want to set up a Skype or Slack group for participants where people can share their experiences and insights.
PRACTICE MOMENTS
1-1 MEETINGS
How do you manage threats and how much energy does it take?
How do you manage your need for certain rewards?
How do you manage yourself when others react in front of you (so you don’t perpetuate the reactions)?
How can you create a calm state for your 1-1 meetings?
TEAM MEETINGS
How might you use ABC to prepare for team meetings?
What expectations have you created unconsciously?
How can you create more positivity in team meetings? How does this team support each other’s self-care?
ON-BOARDING
What is your impact on new people?
How can you create safety for someone new?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Things to Think About
What do you need to do to take care of your brain? Consider food, sleep, exercise, limiting technology and reducing task switching, etc.
What do you notice happens when your brain energy is depleted? E.g. it might be harder to control your emotions, concentrate or make decisions
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?
Things to Think About
Emotions are often an expression of unmet needs: how do we see this happening in our team? How can we support each other to get our needs met? How can we be more mindful?How do we take responsibility for ourselves and not try to control others?
FACILITATOR’S POST-SESSION REFLECTIONS
How did I create positivity in this session?
What can I do regularly with my team to encourage positivity and motivation?
How can I encourage a more mindful approach in the workplace?
What can I do regularly with the team to ensure we prioritize brain care?
How did I create or support a safe, positive learning environment in this session? Get feedback from team members.
How much do I try to control others? And how might I let go, instead encouraging them to manage themselves?
How can I touch base with each team member so we can understand each other better?