“When one is focused on solving a problem or analysing something…networks in the brain that allow you to tune into other people and their feelings are suppressed. This discovery was added to the growing insights about two forms of attention: focused and scanning. We need to focus to get a problem solved or complete a task — this uses networks in the brain called the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. But at the same time, we need to scan to become aware of what is going on around us — this uses different networks in the brain often associated with being social and tuning into others’ feelings.”
My coach once highlighted to me, “Alex, it seems that although you have very high relationship building themes, you don’t seem to use them very much at work.” That’s when I realised that I used different themes in different contexts. In a church setting, my relationship themes do come up pretty strongly.
This article gives a pretty good neurological explanation for why I’m functioning that way. At work, I’m often focused on problem solving – the “Focused” mode, and perhaps I should look at how the “scanning” mode might be able to help bring out my other relationship building themes at work.
Interesting article, wouldn’t you say?
