Neuroscience-Based Executive Coach Helps Leaders Capitalize on Growth
A well-told story engages more parts of the brain than listening to straight facts. Company values its mission even meetings can all be stories — why you’re working together where you are trying to go
C hristine Comaford Founder and CEO of SmartTribes Institute is a neuroscience-based executive coach. Using knowledge of the workings of the brain she helps leaders capitalize on growth and change within their companies. Here she shares five insights with radio personality and marketing expert Yitzchok Saftlas for businesses seeking to grow and thrive.
Choosing your response to change — rather than reacting instinctively — is smarter and more productive. “Human beings are very emotional creatures” claims Ms. Comaford. “We think we are these intellectual powerhouses but what’s really driving the boat if you will is our emotional brain.” According to Comaford a full 90 percent of decisions are dominated by the emotional brain — which means they’re not always well thought-out.
When we feel threatened by change our first instinct is to react compulsively in what Comaford calls “critter state.” This fight/flight/freeze response doesn’t involve complex thought just survival. In critter state we respond with anger frustration getting upset — essentially nothing productive. Instead we need to move into our “smart state ” where decisions originate in the higher brain where we think abstractly plan and resolve complex issues.
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