Dr. Suzanne Kryder Chesapeake Bay Organization Development Network Transform Minds to Transform Organizations April 30, 2010
Minds Influence Minds Influence Organizations © 2010 Suzanne Kryder 2
Brains are Naturally Negative Vigilance & anxiety Sensitivity to negative information High priority storage Negative information trumps positive Lingering traces of negativity in brain Vicious cycle of negativity creates pessimism --Hanson, Buddha’s Brain, 2009 Is a good strategy for influencing another negative mind?
Brain-based Skill #1: Meeting of the Minds Reflect calm mind Laser focused mind Inquire solving mind 4 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
Britt 5 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
The Mind to Lead Model 6 Problem Reactivity Judgments, Assumptions, & Ambiguity Ineffective Decisions & PUSH Behaviors © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
My response? 7 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
The Mind to Lead Model 8 Mindfulness Exploration Influence Outcome ProcessProblem Negativity & Reactivity Judgments, Assumptions, & Ambiguity Ineffective Decisions & PUSH Behaviors …no matter what © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
Objectives 1. Major structures and functions of the brain 2. Research on how leaders can train the mind to stay calm and manage change 3. Three brain-based skills for managing ambiguity and complexity: Meeting of Minds, Mind over Matter, and Peace of Mind 9 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
Neuroleadership A new scientific framework that uses findings on how the brain works to enhance the practice of leading others. 10 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
Jean 11 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
12 Neomammalian (Human): corresponds to cortex Paleomammalian (Mammalian): roughly corresponds to limbic system including amygdala Reptilian: roughly corresponds to brain stem MacLean, P. D The Triune Brain in Evolution: Role in Paleocerebral Functions. New York: Springer. Triune Brain © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
Brain-based Skill #2: Mind over Matter 13 We create non-reactivity by developing circuits in our brain that enable the lower affect- generating circuits (limbic amygdala) to be regulated by the higher modulating ones (prefrontal cortex or PFC). Mindful awareness may directly influence non- reactivity by altering the connections between the PFC and limbic area. --Siegel, The Mindful Brain, 2007 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
Mindfulness Practices Feet and Seat Warm Sandy Beach Breath Awareness 14 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder
15 © 2010 Suzanne Kryder Gene
Three negative thoughts about someone I dislike at work: A. B. C. From The Work by Byron Katie ( Ask four questions: 1.Is it true? 2.Can you absolutely know that it’s true? 3.How do you react when you believe that thought? 4.Who would you be with the thought? © 2010 Byron Katie, Inc. Brain-based Skill #3: Peace of Mind 16
Summary Transform Organizations by Transforming Minds by remembering: Brains are naturally negative To PULL out rather than PUSH into minds Prefrontal cortex can modulate reactivity in limbic system Copyright 2009 Suzanne Kryder, Inc.17