Fear: The Disabler

"As humans, we are very good at reading cues; we are incredibly attentive to interpersonal phenomena... we have a place in our brain that's always worried what people think of us, especially higher ups. As far as the brain is concerned, if our social system rejects us, we could die. Given our sense of danger is so natural and automatic, organisations have to do some pretty special things to overcome that natural trigger."

Amy Edmondson - Harvard Professor who studies psychological safety



NEUROSCIENCE:

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS BEHIND FEAR
Our brain developed in three separate stages.


 

THE CROC BRAIN
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When it comes to building a high performing team, it all starts with getting past that CROC BRAIN.

The old brain, or crocodile brain the “croc brain” for short – was the first to develop in human evolution.

It is responsible for the initial filtering of all incoming messages.

It generates most survival fight-or-flight responses.

It produces strong, basic emotions.

When it comes to decision making, the croc brain’s reasoning power is... well, primitive.

It doesn’t have a lot of capacity, and most of what it does have is devoted primarily to the things it takes to keep us alive. 



The Engaged Croc Brain – Fear in action

Examples of what leadership might see, think and feel:

  • Lack of contribution
  • Lack of connection
  • Lack of respect
  • Your contributions not valued
  • Sense of being talked about
  • Complaints, formal and informal
  • Accusations
  • Poor outcomes

Examples of what the individuals might see, think and feel:

  • Judgement
  • Not enough
  • Miss out on opportunities
  • Friction within team
  • References
  • Professional reputation and in the community
  • Consequences, job losses

|| BREAKOUT SPACE

The Engaged CROC Brain

What does an engaged CROC Brain look like in your team?  

>>  DISCUSSION >>  REFLECTION



As a leadership group, our job is to disengage that CROC Brain


Understanding the 3 Step MINDSET to perform under pressure in relation to those brains

Get Excited

  • Generate excitement

Downplay

  • Downplay by comparison to something less important

Focus

  • Focus on what you can control

“The things that are really worth chasing involve pressure and that’s what makes them rewarding” Richie McCaw

The key message from the literature on ‘performance under pressure’ identify mindset change – simple - but powerful it focuses on perspective shift

Meaning is what helps us see beyond the presenting situation and face the pressure head on

Our Purpose

Unleashing the potential of people to be connected, inspired and committed to united growth.