Science | HR Strategies

Scientists start with an observation, formulate an hypothesis, gather data to validate the hypothesis, then get published. Is that the acceptance they desire? Is that the definition of their success? We need to ask what is the motivation. For the scientists, they are motivated to validate the data and get published. But in many cases that published finding is read by very few. Where is the impact?

Would there be greater impact on real change and improving lives if meaningful data were more widely understood? The mechanism that is missing is know by successful leaders, and it stems from a similar creativity, but is delivered in a very effective effective method known as storytelling.

Stories are the emotional connection to the data. They are examples of why the data matters, how data is personal and why you might care to know more or do something. Researcher Brene Brown is an example of a Researcher (Scientist) who has generated plenty of data, through her research. But her impact, where the data is now more widely making a difference is as a direct result of her ability to “tell the story” of the data. Brene has inspired others through creativity and connecting with millions through storytelling. Vulnerability, shame, fear, these are all areas of research in human behavior that we can now understand through the data and the stories that come from the data.

There is common ground between scientists and effective leaders. Their ability to tell stories that connect with others is one way they can both have a bigger impact in their respective fields.

Hamid Ghanadan tells more from the scientist’s experience on his recent TedXCambridge 2014 Talk.

It’s an exciting time in human development.

Technological developments in the past 30 to 40 years have enabled us to understand and take advantage of the true complexity and flexibility of the human brain. Due to advances such as Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), we no longer need to go on instinct or trial and error to understand why people change and grow — we can see certain brain activity right before our eyes. So, as brain science and its technology have evolved independently from the profession of coaching, the remarkable connections between the disciplines suggest the promising emergence of a whole greater than the sum of its parts: a scientifically defensible process for optimal human growth and change.

Everyone longs to be successful in their lives, whether it is at work, at home, or as a parent, friend or partner. We don’t just want to change one particular circumstance, we want the fundamental ability to live, work, react and create in the most effective way. As this growing body of neuroscience research reveals, the tools of Energy Coaching profoundly help clients develop positive new neural networks, respond more calmly to stress, make choices more easily, and access much more of their creativity. This inevitably leads to more effective, successful and fulfilling lives.

There is significant scientific proof for the exciting idea that the brain demonstrates “neuroplasticity.” That is, it is more adaptable than we have previously thought, and it can — and does — change with effort and intention. As neuroplasticity expert Norman Doidge (2007) points out, there is substantial evidence we can “rewire our brains with our thoughts.”

There is a saying among neuroscientists: “if it fires, it wires.” In other words, much of what we do creates the potential for a new neural pathway. Due to a process called myelination, the more a pathway is used, the stronger it becomes. This is because every time we repeat an action, a fatty covering called myelin coats the neural pathway, making connections stronger and more secure. We have trillions of possible neural connections in our brains. Some of them have wired strongly into habits and behaviors that are effective, and some have wired into limiting beliefs and strategies that are not. And many exist simply as pure potential. Because the default in our brain is to go with the pathways that are developed, it is difficult to change without focused, supported, intentional effort.