Current reflections

There are frequently moments in life, professionally or personally, where we need to make a shift. Shift how we think, how we behave, how we lead or inspire others. In such moments, it can seem as if the way we see and engage with the world around us is no longer quite right.

These are the times where we need the wisdom and strengths of the right side of our brain. While we seamlessly use both our hemispheres all the time, our left and right brain have a completely different way of looking at and experiencing the world.

What does this mean?

Our left brain is logical, efficient, and effective, It simplifies reality so we can get things done. In contrast, the right brain experiences the full richness of the world and connects us to the world around us, including other people. To illustrate the difference: imagine a colleague asks, “where to you live?”. You will likely tell them your town and maybe the street or a nearby landmark (very useful info to find each other and to get your tax bill). If they ask you instead, “what do I see when I stand in front of your house?”…do you notice the picture that instantly pops up in your mind and the sheer amount of information it holds? When you share that picture with your colleague, you will not only share more information but also information that matters to you about where you live.

While the left brain helps us to be effective, it can also get trapped in its own system, paying attention only to what it already knows. As the right brain sees the whole picture, anything that is new also first comes into awareness into our right brain. The right brain also takes the perspective of “AND” instead of “OR”, helping us to see past contradictions, dilemmas and obstacles. These qualities makes the right brain so essential when we need to shift and find new ways of thinking, behaving or leading.

Whether you are a coach, consultant or executive - for anyone working with individuals, teams or organisations in times of change and transition, it is an essential skill to be able to activate the wisdom and strengths of the right side of the brain.

To hear more, click here for a 10 min podcast about the right side of the brain.

Small bites

These are links to a few TED talks and articles with surprising ideas. We like to use short pieces such as these as preparation materials for our workshops and/or as reflection input for coachees

  • The psychology of your future self, Dan Gilbert (TED talk, click here)

  • Managing with the brain in mind, David Rock (Article, click here )

  • How to make stress your friend, Kelly McGonagal (Ted talk, click here)

  • My stroke of insight, Jill Bolte Taylor (Ted talk, click here)

  • How to make hard choices, Ruth Chang (Ted talk, click here)

  • You are not at the mercy of your emotions Lisa Feldman Barrett (Ted talk, click here)

Favourites

Below is a small selection of the books that inform our work. Many of them are linked to developments in neurobiology and what these imply for our behaviours, beliefs and well-being. I am deeply grateful to the scientists and practitioners who explore the complexities of our functioning and share them with us through their writings. We focus on translating these fascinating insights into tangible applications in our coaching and workshops.Mindsight, the new science of personal transformation, Daniel Siegel (2010)

  • Search Inside Yourself, increase productivity, creativity and happiness, Chade-Meng Tan (2012)

  • Time to Think, listen to ignite the human mind, Nancy Kline (1999)

  • Working identity, unconventional strategies for Reinventing your career, Herminia Ibarra (2004)

  • Your Brain at Work, David Rock (2009)

  • Moral Tribes, Joshua Greene (2013)

  • The Master and His Emissary, Iain McGilchrist (2019)

  • What Works, gender equality by design, Iris Bohnet (2016)

  • Behave, the biology of humans at our best and worst, Robert Sapolsky (2018)

  • Emotional Agility Susan Davids (2016)