Practical tips for keeping staff engaged and connected (via the brain!
Those who have worked with me know that I love the BRAIN! I am constantly fascinated as I learn more and more about it. I have so much time for understanding the intersect of staffing, leading others and the brain. I was asked recently, why I am interested in Neuroscience? To put it simply – once we have a foundation understanding at the least, it helps us ‘make sense’ of human behaviour; how we respond, interact, communicate and engage.
In human services we talk so much about therapeutic principles and this work with our clients; but the same applies to staff we lead and manage. EVERYONE brings ‘stuff’ to the workplace. We are, as humans, literally wired for threat and reward and our brain has predictions, based on previous experiences. Guess what? These predictions come into the workplace! We then go through processes, meetings or discussions with staff and are at risk of missing whether they are in a threat or reward space. With knowledge and understanding – we have the ability to influence how these experiences go (for us and the team!).
Using this lens and considering the time of year, people and teams can be tired. So how do we ensure we minimise threat, maximise reward to keep team members engaged?
1. Reduce threat (cortisol)
This is a tough one, as we don’t know everyone’s histories and triggers, but we can do things to mitigate and minimise the level of arousal (threat) in our spaces. Prime the brain by providing high communication, provide routine and structure (start scheduling next year’s team meetings, supervisions, leadership meetings). Work in chunks of time, help your teams set up their diaries for the next 15 days, ensure communicate early (now) upcoming information for the Christmas or closure period (who is where, who will be available, what to do if ..).
2. Bring energy (increase dopamine & serotonin)
This can be a lot when you yourself are tired, but as leaders we are there to also gatekeep and protect our frontline staff from change, low energy and worries. Set the tone and bring some energy to the room. Set a team lunch, decorate the office, have a desk decorating competition, put some music on. Maybe even consider acknowledging your team at an individual level, or do a caring gesture such as a small note, or chocolate on their desk for when they get to work.
3. Provide focus (norepinephrine)
Its easy to be distracted. It’s hot here in Queensland, unconsciously we again are wired to survive so we are looking to stay cool. Our brains (from prediction) also know that holidays and Christmas is coming soon, so we start losing focus. Set some team goals to have a clear focus (avoiding the language of “to do list”) but encourage regular breaks and movement. Dream up some ideas, or plans for next year, set some goals for 2024 in their supervision. Go for a team walk around the block, or do a stretch in the day (it is also a great laugh). A previous colleague I had, had a timer on her phone and she would go around the office, saying “movement break!” – why not!?
In 2024 we are sharing more tips and providing more opportunities for training if you want to explore this more. For now – let’s get our teams and ourselves through the next 15 business days (see what I did there?)
~ Toniele
