Understanding the human brain is essential for creating a thriving workplace. Our brain has four systems (Instinctive, Emotional, Reflective, and Rational) that shape how employees think, feel and behave at work. This blog post explores these brain systems and the impact of their needs not being met.
Instinctive brain system
The Instinctive brain system is our basic survival instinct. When employees feel their Instinctive needs are not being met they can enter a state of high stress. They will constantly be looking for threats and be in a short-term thinking mode. This leads to burnout, lower productivity, and higher turnover. Employees who are in a state of high stress for a prolonged period of time may feel they have no choice but to leave an organisation to protect their physical and mental health. Another impact of employees being in survival mode is they are less creative and collaborative, which damages the organisation’s performance.
Emotional brain system
The Emotional brain system is about feeling connected and valued. When employees feel emotionally neglected, they feel isolated and disengaged, leading to lower productivity, less motivation, and more absences. They're also less likely to be invested in their work and the organisation’s success. A workplace that doesn't support emotional well-being risks underperforming and losing its employees.
Reflective brain system
The Reflective brain system drives us to learn and grow. When employees feel stuck, unchallenged and uninspired, they will often disengage and feel demotivated which may result in them leaving for better opportunities. This turnover creates unforeseen costs such as recruitment and training costs. The uninspired employees may also negatively impact the organisation’s culture with their lacklustre attitude affecting the enthusiasm and productivity of the people they work with.
Rational brain system
The Rational brain system needs clarity, collaboration, and for employees to have access to tools and resources. When employees don't have these, they can feel confused and frustrated which leads to them being unproductive and unmotivated. If employees are not given the opportunity to work collaboratively they will work in isolation leading to a siloed working environment which leads to a lack of shared knowledge and ideas which can result in missed opportunities for the organisation.
Nurturing the brain systems to enhance organisational performance
To create a workplace that drives organisational performance, leaders must prioritise the needs of all four brain systems. This involves:
- Addressing Instinctive Needs: Create a safe and supportive environment where employees feel secure, valued and have autonomy to do their jobs.
- Nurturing Emotional Needs: Foster a sense of belonging and connection through positive relationships, providing recognition and making employees feel heard.
- Supporting Reflective Needs: Provide opportunities for growth and development and ensure employees are inspired and challenged by their work.
- Meeting Rational Needs: Set clear expectations, provide the necessary resources, and encourage collaboration.
By understanding and addressing the needs of all four brain systems, organisations can unlock the full potential of their workforce to enhance their performance.