Neuroscience in the fleet industry – Dr Shaw’s Top Tips

• Having the ability to be open minded, using lateral thinking and pushing the boundaries every now and again can push business into the realms of stratospheric growth. Using lateral thinking enables us to market to audiences that we might not have otherwise considered. Don’t always choose the obvious.
• When the stress hormone ‘cortisol’ is over stimulated for an extended period, we experience memory loss, high blood pressure and possible depression, which are costly to the individual and the organisation. Good business needs a healthy workforce and this starts with performance management that is consistent and transparent to avoid stress in the workplace.
• Staff need to be given opportunities to develop and grow, but in small chunks, both physically and mentally. Synapses in the brain grow and strengthen with new information, but we can overload the system if we deliver too much all at once. Research shows that we retain information better when we learn in chunks. Positive, upbeat delivery for short periods of training will allow the brain to assimilate and use the information well.
• Research now supports the efficacy of gut feelings in monitoring our behaviour, as does our cognitive braking systems such as the prefrontal cortex. Use your gut instinct in every situation you can.
• When a company is harnessing their employees’ individual personalities, goals, needs and abilities, and are employee focussed and communicate with them properly, the employee will feel valued and valid which helps us build a successful and intuitive working environment. This in turn empowers them and alleviates stressful situations calming down stress hormones such as cortisol which can narrow their attention to any perceived threat, and opens them up to broader thinking, better problem solving and greater creative thought.