It seems about half of my friends and colleagues listened to yesterday's NPR interview of Daniel Goleman about his book Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships. If you missed it, that's okay as the magic of technology makes it available now. What Goleman said is crucial to developing and maintaining rapport with clients (both prospective and current), and anyone else with whom you would like to interact successfully. One example you will hear is that of an attorney and a jury. I truthfully don't think you are going to want to miss this interview.
Today David Rock sent a newsletter with several resources and I include a couple of them here. First, Rock and Dr. Jeffery Schwartz are presenting a free webinar on Thursday November 2, 2006, from 2 to 3 PM Eastern. Rock says:
Join us for an intense hour of discovery as we dive deep into the neuroscience of leadership. Explore why change really is hard, and how leaders and organizations can make it easier by understanding the brain.
I plan to be there; how about you?
CIO included an article "The New Science of Change."
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get people to alter the way they do things. New research reveals why it's so hard and suggests strategies to make it easier.
Accompanying this article is a sidebar with 10 change management rules and the neuroscience behind each.
1. Stay on message. The brain needs repetition to move a concept from the prefrontal cortex, which handles unfamiliar concepts and complex decisions, to the basal ganglia, where habits are stored. For new concepts to become hardwired, those pathways have to be reinforced continually.
2. Keep it simple. The prefrontal cortex can entertain only a handful of concepts at a time. Therefore, complex projects need to be refined to one or two goals that businesspeople can easily understand so that their prefrontal cortexes do not become overwhelmed, causing fatigue and the psychological and physical distress that leads to anger.
Others include: expect fear, lead by not leading, focus on the big picture, and make it a personally relevant story. Read the article to learn the science behind management.
And International Journal of Coaching in Organizations published an article on brain-based coaching.
Sometimes I smile when I click "Save" to send a post to the blogosphere. I am smiling now as I know many of you will benefit from this post's gems.
Note (added October 30, 2006, 1:40 PM Mountain): Professor Adam J. Kolber at Neuroethics & Law Blog posted Dilbert Creator & Spasmodic Dysphonia, a great reminder of the mystery and wonder of the human brain.
Scott Adams, creator of the famous Dilbert cartoon strips, reports here about how he lost much of his speaking ability about eighteen months ago due to a condition known as spasmodic dysphonia. Fortunately, he figured out some techniques that seemed to have restored him back (or close) to normal. Based on his blog entry, it sounds like he could be a case study in a neuroscience journal.
Note (added December 9, 2006, 5:30 PM Mountain): Here is a NOVA video on mirror neurons. Mirror neurons in the brain are related to empathy and rapport and are discussed by Goleman in the interview to which I link above.
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