At idealawg, you will continue to read about the role of the brain in processes such as change because I think what we are learning is both exciting and risky to ignore. Those on the cutting edge of law firm management, not to mention business development, mentoring, trial practice, team building, client relations, and more, will keep their finger on the pulse of brain science and its implications for behavior.
I was happy to discover a blogger who also believes in the importance of keeping current on neuroscience as it relates to business. Meet Dr. Ellen Weber; her blogs are Brain Based Business and Leader Notes.
In her post "Traits of a Brain Based Change Agent" Weber includes a list of top 10 traits of leaders or change agents
from a post by Steve Hardy at his blog Creative Generalist. (Hardy heard this list during a presentation last week at IdeaCity.) The list of traits:
1. Love experiments.2. Learn to collaborate.
3. Ask different questions.
4. Try not to criticize.
5. Sweat the small stuff.
6. Never stop learning. Never stop moving.
7. Seek better ways.
8. Bury the ego.
9. Celebrate your success.
10. Love your job or leave it. Be fearless.
What Weber adds to the list is worth clicking over to read. She says that "each trait triggers a part of the brain that will rewire to bring about that change" and she links from each of the 10 traits to an explanation of how the brain physiology and wiring influences and is influenced by that trait.
For examples, the brain explanation of "Try not to criticize" includes:
Ever been cut off before the good stuff surfaces... all because an attacker keeps your best thinkers dodging darts .... rather than planting seed ideas that really work...?To speak well out of both sides of your brain at any business meeting, you need only a good idea and the guts to get past firing squads that feel they have critical thinking skills on their side....
Ever seen dart throwers or firing squads in your firm? We all know the lawyer's quick inclination to find what is wrong with an idea.
In the post linked to "Never stop learning, Never stop moving" Weber says:
Would you call yourself an optimist…possibly even a visionary…? Or do you tend to find yourself steeped in problems… much like cynics tell you about problems in their day...You actually create a cognitive map for one or the other ... problems or possibilities ... by what you do and say daily….
Reminds me of parts of the Carol Metzker interview on Appreciative Intelligence.
As a bonus, Weber adds an 11th trait to the list: Use your beliefs for business breakthroughs.
In brain based practices ...people link what they believe ...to shape what they do at work..... Not surprisingly, your brain is more effective when you deliberately link what you do to match what you believe. What do you think…?Start with one strong belief about your own work, and then create a specific plan that moves that belief into an observable practice.
All those periods in the quotes from her posts are hers. Must have something to do with the brain?
Weber's posts are not complicated as much writing about the brain can be -- call it them neuroscience lite. Take a look; enjoy reading; learn something new today. "Never stop learning."
Stephanie, thanks for your kind words and your thoughtful post. You are so right that we seem to be on the same page for more applications of brain facts and less jargon that locks folks out the the best dialogues. It's life-changing when we use more hidden and unused talents -- and it can be done when we know what and how:-) I'll look forward to learning more from you!
Posted by: Ellen Weber | June 24, 2006 at 05:50 PM