NEURO-M methodology arises from a “no assumptions” approach to motivation, behaviour, performance and wellbeing at work
First Principles
Brain Development
NEUROPLASTICITY
Brain cells and their connections grow, adapt and change through 4 natural processes. They are continually influenced by DNA and life experiences so that each human brain develops unique capacities and connectivity.
Neurogenesis
Synaptogenesis
Epigenesis
Myelinogenesis
Connected brains can function as a “virtual network” multiplying learning, capacity, coordination and resilience.
The neuroscience of motivation
Motivation is a 3-STAGE neural SYSTEM
The motivation system evolved to prioritise physical and social threats. It is dominantly intuitive and subconscious in how it operates and initiates action.
- Reward / Loss Anticipation and Learning
- Valuation and Comparison
- Self-Regulation and Resilience
The motivation system can be helpfully influenced for optimal achievement, behaviour, resilience and wellbeing.
INTRINSIC fulfilment drives behaviour, performance & wellbeing
Intrinsic motivation, fulfilment & personal wellbeing are interrelated
“Super-Ordinate” Needs:
- Maintaining and moderating mental stimulation
- Pursuing positive effects and avoiding negative effects
“Basic” Needs:
- Relatedness
- The pleasure principle
- Stability and coherence of perceptions
- Self-esteem
Professional and personal experiences and outcomes are enhanced by targeted, resolvable gaps in fulfilment needs
DNA, Experiences & environments shape outcomes
Safe, purposeful, empowering and fulfilling environments and experiences enable superior performance, behaviour and wellbeing
The NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS, FEAR & optimal capacity
Effects of neurochemical, hormone & regional activation / deactivation on:
- Capacity for rational problem solving, creativity and collaboration
- Self-awareness, emotional management and action choices
- Behaviour and productive capacity
- Beliefs about the workplace
- Health, wellbeing and longevity
States of stress alter personal capacity, wellbeing, behaviour and performance
Temperament stability & variability
Temperament stability
The 4 elements of neuroplasticity create neural highways that underpin strong habits in perceiving, feeling, thinking and responding. This predictability supports temperament typology as a method of reliably predicting behavioural patterns, including career and cultural suitability.
Temperament variability
Neurobiological changes arising from sympathetic nervous system activation under stress mean that different neural systems are engaged at different times. This results in a different set of hard-wired stress behaviours that cannot be reliably predicted from a non-stressed temperament analysis.
Our research revealed a 49% average variation from stereotypical behavioural patterns when under moderate distress.
2 systems
The Emotional-Intuitive System
AKA the “experiential” system, this is the fastest and strongest method of retaining knowledge, perceiving the world (and ourselves within it), and responding to it. It primarily draws on feelings & information held within implicit memory systems.
The rational-cognitive System
AKA the “smart” system, it is capable of complex imagination and problem-solving, expressing itself in language, numbers and solid concepts. It primarily draws on “rational” processing & information available through explicit memory systems
A primal species in a modern world
Humans evolved as & remain:
- An interdependent social species
- A social hierarchy where status enhances survival of self and DNA
- Pre-programmed to protect and enhance fulfilment of “intrinsic needs” that evolved to optimise survival of self and/or personal/tribal DNA
- Compelled to recognise and respond to power, certainty, danger and safety
- Faster to sense and react than think and respond
- Neurodiverse – DNA shapes human brains to sense, feel and think differently to enhance collaborative capacity, innovation and adaptability
Allen, M., Williams, G. (2011) Consciousness, plasticity, and connectomics: The role of intersubjectivity in human cognition, Frontiers in psychology, 2, 20, pp1-16
Arden, J. B. (2010) Rewire your brain, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ
Baren-Cohen, P. (2021) The pattern seekers: A new theory of human invention, Allen Lane, London UK
Boyatzis, R., McKee, A. (2005) Resonant Leadership, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston MA
Cozolino, L. (2017) The neuroscience of psychotherapy 3rd Ed, W. W. Norton, New York NY
Dunbar, R., Barrett, L., Lycett, J. (2007) Evolutionary Psychology, Oneworld Publications London UK
Dunbar, R. (2010) How many friends does one person need?, Faber and Faber, London UK
Epstein, S. (2012) Cognitive-experiential self-theory: An integrative theory of personality, in H. Tennen & J. Suls Eds) Handbook of Psychology, 2nd ed., Vol 5 Personality Section, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken NJ
Gagne, M., Deci, E.L. (2005) Self-determination theory and work motivation, Journal of organizational behaviour, 26, 331-362
Gamble, C., Gowlett, J., Dunbar, R. (2014) Thinking big: How the evolution of social life shaped the human mind, Thames and Hudson, London UK
Goleman, D. (1995) Emotional intelligence, Bantam Dell, New York, NY
Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., McKee, A. (2013) Primal Leadership, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston MA
Grawe, K. (2007) Neuropsychotherapy: How the sciences inform effective psychotherapy, Taylor and Francis, New York NY
Graziano, M. S. A. (2013) Consciousness and the social brain, Oxford university press, Oxford UK
Kim, S., Reeve, J., Bong, M (2017) Neuroscience of reward, motivation, and drive, in Kim, S., Reeve, J., Bong, M (Eds) Recent developments in neuroscience research on human motivation, Emerald, Bingley UK
Seigel, D. (2012) Interpersonal neurobiology, W. W. Norton, New York NY
Key resources
NEURO-M first principles are based in evidence, not fancy or hype. Some statistics come from our research, as does the identification of Identity as the 4th common-order basic motivational need (replacing the misconception of self-esteem protection and enhancement as a “higher-order” need).
Hundreds of articles were reviewed over a decade of research, and it is impossible to list them all. Some easily accessed resources we came to value, and recommend to anyone in furthering their own learning in this area, are listed here
