22:38
Faizan
As neuroscience increasingly finds its way into the workplace, and we learn more about human behaviour, what real difference can it make for employees?
At board level, the value of understanding more about decision-making and human behaviour is easy to see: when you are trying to shape organizational culture, introduce change initiatives, and encourage strong leadership, the workings of the brain provide valuable insight.
But how does this filter down to ground level? What can neuroscience teach the 'average' employee?
The boss-employee relationship
One important area that it can shed light on is the relationship with one's boss; many of us could do with a little assistance in that area.
After all, it is often this key relationship that dictates performance, duration of employment in an organisation, and career progression.
Mistakes are often made from both sides - partly because a culture of management rather than leadership has dominated in many organisations for some time now. The focus has been more on managing performance than leading people.
Neuroscience is helping to change this focus, as leadership considers the needs of people in shaping their behaviour, and thus their performance. When this filters down through the team, there can be a corresponding shift on how we view our bosses - with a deeper understanding of the pressures they are under as human beings.
Letting snap judgments harm your career
Many of us make snap judgments about whether we like someone or not. This doesn't change in the workplace, but it's surprising how many of us let this damage our career path.
Neuroscience helps us to identify common needs of all people, so that we develop a greater understanding of why someone may act in a certain way. We can withhold judgments better and become more tolerant - which, in the long run, may mean that we are able to exert more influence in the relationship and be more likely to steer it towards outcomes that are more beneficial for us.
It can teach us not to rush into potentially conflict-inducing situations; often it's better to stand back, try to reign in the subconscious mind that may be racing to make a judgment, and then consider your response a little more. Your boss is probably doing the same with you, after all.
Embrace differences
Just as there are commonalities in what people need in the workplace, there are also important differences in taste, perspective, and goals. These are to be embraced. We should not assume that our boss is the same as us, just with more responsibility and a higher salary.
At board level, the value of understanding more about decision-making and human behaviour is easy to see: when you are trying to shape organizational culture, introduce change initiatives, and encourage strong leadership, the workings of the brain provide valuable insight.
But how does this filter down to ground level? What can neuroscience teach the 'average' employee?
The boss-employee relationship
One important area that it can shed light on is the relationship with one's boss; many of us could do with a little assistance in that area.
After all, it is often this key relationship that dictates performance, duration of employment in an organisation, and career progression.
Mistakes are often made from both sides - partly because a culture of management rather than leadership has dominated in many organisations for some time now. The focus has been more on managing performance than leading people.
Neuroscience is helping to change this focus, as leadership considers the needs of people in shaping their behaviour, and thus their performance. When this filters down through the team, there can be a corresponding shift on how we view our bosses - with a deeper understanding of the pressures they are under as human beings.
Letting snap judgments harm your career
Many of us make snap judgments about whether we like someone or not. This doesn't change in the workplace, but it's surprising how many of us let this damage our career path.
Neuroscience helps us to identify common needs of all people, so that we develop a greater understanding of why someone may act in a certain way. We can withhold judgments better and become more tolerant - which, in the long run, may mean that we are able to exert more influence in the relationship and be more likely to steer it towards outcomes that are more beneficial for us.
It can teach us not to rush into potentially conflict-inducing situations; often it's better to stand back, try to reign in the subconscious mind that may be racing to make a judgment, and then consider your response a little more. Your boss is probably doing the same with you, after all.
Embrace differences
Just as there are commonalities in what people need in the workplace, there are also important differences in taste, perspective, and goals. These are to be embraced. We should not assume that our boss is the same as us, just with more responsibility and a higher salary.
Posted in: business
