The Art of Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback uses qEEG and a visual game-like component to activate a certain part of the brain. The game uses electrical readings from the qEEG to control an aspect of the game. If the correct area of the brain is activated, the game responds and the user is rewarded. If the incorrect area of the brain is activated, the game does not respond or there is some kind of penalty.

Due to the plastic nature of the brain, after many sessions of neurofeedback, the brain begins to create new pathways that become automatic. This creates new habits and behaviours.

 

There is the potential for neurofeedback to give managers and HR professionals some help in forming new patterns of behaviour. For example, researchers from the study mentioned above, asked a manager to participate in neurofeedback after they mentioned having anger management problems. With knowledge of what areas in the brain are useful in anger management, the neurofeedback therapist was able to help the manager activate the parts of the brain most helpful in emotional regulation. After many sessions, he was able to reorganise his brain to create stronger pathways in the areas of his brain known to support emotional regulation.

Neurofeedback has also helped people improve their focus and react better to stress. This may sound like science fiction. A computer alters the brain and the person is different, but that is not true. Neurofeedback cannot make someone a better leader. Its purpose is to help reorganise the brain to give someone the potential to be a better leader. It can make the brain more efficient and make it easier for us to behave in certain ways, if we choose to do so.

 

With continued research, maybe more aspects of leadership will be found to have pathways in certain areas of the brain. Leadership training could become a personal brain-based approach, helping people address some of the areas they may struggle with and unlock their potential.

While there is still a lot that is not known about the brain and how it can make us better leaders, the evidence continues to show that the basis of effective leadership is in understanding the brain and how it functions. Neuroscience can help us all be better leaders.

 

Part 3 in a new series about The Role of Neuroscience in Business.

 

 

Engage & Prosper have recently launched their Employee Mood Monitor, an effective tool designed for organisations to help gauge their employee’s mood and mental health proactively, and ultimately, provide helpful resources for those that may need help or further support.

 

All organisations have a duty of care to the people that work for them, and the Mood Monitor is designed to help you engage with your staff, finding those that most need help or advice.

To find out more about this innovative new tool, visit our website here.

 

 

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Engage & Prosper is a UK based privately owned Employee Engagement Consultancy and Social Enterprise, on a mission to help organisations develop a highly productive and fulfilling workplace culture, with their people, through enhanced employee engagement strategies, fabulous and effective internal communications platforms and tailored reward and recognition programmes.

For more information on Engage & Prosper or to discover how we can help you achieve your organisational and people goals please call +44 (0) 330 223 0464 or find out more at www.engageandprosper.com