1. Moving the Frontal Lobe to the Front of the Class
ATD Cascadia
2016 Conference
Brain Science:
Moving the Frontal Lobe to the Front of the Class
Thursday,
October 13,
2016
1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Why People
Tune You Out:
What You’re Doing Wrong and
How Brain Science Can Help

3. INFORMATION IS NOT COMMUNICATION.

4. It is the biggest component of communication.
Why Nonverbal?
It is the biggest component of communication.
It is universally understood.

5. Autopilot

6. (We’re not aware.)

9. Two THINGS YOU CAN DO nonverbally
Create Safety
Be Congruent

10. Two THINGS YOU CAN DO nonverbally
Create Safety

12. A STRESSED BRAIN DOESN’T LEARN WELL.

13. SAFE PRESENCE

14. BREATHING

15. BREATHING
GETS COMMUNICATED.

16. Authenticity shows people WHO we are. Breathing shows people HOW we are.

17. Turn & talk: how aware are you of your breathing?

18. POOR breathing

19. Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic (Fight-or-Flight)
Shallow Breathing
Rapid Breathing
Holding Breath
Hormone: Cortisol

20. Fight-or-flight response
Purpose is to mobilize energy
Fat turns to sugar
Arteries constrict to increase blood pressure
Sweat glands open to cool you
Breathing accelerates…
But where does that oxygen go?

21. FIGHT!

22. FLIGHT!

23. FREEZE!

24. LESS OXYGEN
TO FRONTAL
LOBE

25. Poor breathing People sense you are not thinking clearly.
People sense you are threatened.
People sense you are unsure.

26. A STRESSED BRAIN DOESN’T LEARN WELL.

27. Fight-or-flight Stress prevents memory storage.
Stress reduces reasoning skills.
When stressed, we focus on self-preservation, not higher learning.
Side note: Not all stress is bad. This is specific to fight-or-flight. Some types of stress, such as a challenge response, can increase learning.

28. Autonomic Nervous System
Parasympathetic (Rest-and-Digest)
Deep Breathing
Slow Breathing
Calm & Relaxed
Hormone: Oxytocin

30. SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

31. Power of breathing People sense you are rational.
People sense you are safe.
People sense you are capable.

32. Try it: holding breath vs. breathing well

33. Try it: holding breath vs. breathing well
Stand: Tense your body & hold your breath. Say, “This is what we’ll cover today.” Relax, breathe a few times.

34. Power of breathing People sense you are rational.
People sense you are safe.
People sense you are capable.
(Hint: This is how we want other people to be, too!!)

35. BREATHING

36. BREATHING
IS CONTAGIOUS.

37. Power of breathing Others are more rational. Brain can process.
Others are more safe.
Brain can learn.
Others are more capable.
Brain can focus.

38. Try it: deep breathing

39. Try it: deep breathing
Sit at the edge of your chair or lie down. Close your eyes. Put your hand on your abdomen. Notice your breathing—no need to change. Gradually, deepen and slow your breath.

40. Two THINGS YOU CAN DO nonverbally
Create Safety
Be Congruent

41. Two THINGS YOU CAN DO nonverbally
Create Safety
Be Congruent
Getting Attention
Directing Attention

42. WE BELIEVE THE NONVERBAL MESSAGE.

43. GETTING ATTENTION

45. FREEZE
BODY

46. Go to the front of the room STOP Pause & breathe
FREEZE BODY
Go to the front of the room
STOP
Pause & breathe
Raise a hand when speaking
BE PRESENT
*Freeze Body taken from Michael Grinder’s ENVoY

48. Try it: freeze body

49. First, do it incorrectly:
Try it: freeze body
First, do it incorrectly:
Hurry about.
Demonstrate distraction.
Say, “Let’s get started.”
Second, do it correctly:
Stand still.
Be present.

50. WE BELIEVE THE NONVERBAL MESSAGE.

51. DIRECTING ATTENTION

53. LOOK WHERE YOU POINT

54. Try it: LOOK WHERE YOU POINT

55. Try it: LOOK WHERE YOU POINT
First: With direct eye contact, say, “As you can see here...” Second: Looking at presentation, say,

56. WE BELIEVE THE NONVERBAL MESSAGE.

57. Two THINGS YOU CAN DO nonverbally
Create Safety
Be Congruent
Getting Attention
Directing Attention

59. CHANGE YOUR APPROACH

60. PAY ATTENTION

61. PAY ATTENTION What are you communicating nonverbally?
“This is a safe place to learn”?
“I am fully present and ready to train you”?
“You have my attention”?

63. Step Up to the Mic – 6-week online course

64. Rock Star Academy – Videos, Books, Group

65. The F-Word: The Latest Word from FORTE

66. Questions?

67. Communicate on Purpose
Be bold. Be real. Be a communication ROCK STAR.