How four key brain systems shape your workforce

Decoding the human symphony

Imagine your workforce as a symphony orchestra. Each employee, an instrument, brings their unique skills and talents. But to create harmonious music, the conductor needs to understand each instrument's strengths and limitations.

That's where the fascinating world of brain systems comes in. By understanding these four core systems that govern our thoughts, emotions and actions, HR professionals and business leaders can unlock the potential of their teams and cultivate a thriving workplace environment.

The four brain systems

Our brains are far more complex than a single, unified entity. Neuroscientists have identified four distinct systems that play a crucial role in our daily lives:

• Instinctive brain system: Our primal powerhouse, responsible for survival instincts, fight-or-flight responses and basic needs. This system is deeply ingrained in our DNA, and it's constantly scanning the environment for threats and opportunities. When employees feel threatened or unsafe, the instinctive brain kicks in, triggering a cascade of physiological and emotional responses.

• Emotional brain system: The heart of our feelings, generating emotions like joy, fear and anger. The emotional brain is responsible for our social interactions and our ability to empathise with others. It plays an important role in workplace relationships and team dynamics.

• Reflective brain system: The analytical maestro, responsible for planning, problem-solving and critical thinking. The reflective brain is the home of our consciousness and our ability to reason and make decisions. It's also responsible for our memory and our ability to learn, making it key for effective workplace strategising and retrospective analysis.

• Rational brain system: The logician, analysing information and making calculated decisions. The rational brain is responsible for our ability to think critically and make objective judgments. It's also responsible for our ability to control our impulses and make deliberate choices. In the workplace, this system is important for tasks that require analysis, problem-solving and decision-making.

Understanding how these systems work together, and how they influence our people, is the key to creating a truly employee-centric workplace.

The instinctive brain: Keeping the orchestra in tune

Think of the instinctive brain as the orchestra's rhythm section. It ensures basic needs like safety and security are met. When employees feel threatened (think tight deadlines or a shortage of staff), this system kicks in and can lead to stress, anxiety and decreased motivation.

When employees feel their instinctive needs are not being met they will constantly be looking for threats and be in a short-term thinking mode. This leads to burnout, lower productivity and higher turnover. Employees who are in a state of high stress for a prolonged period of time may feel they have no choice but to leave an organisation to protect their physical and mental health. Another impact of employees being in survival mode is they are less creative and collaborative, which damages the organisation’s performance.

HR strategies to engage the instinctive brain:

• Create a supportive environment: Offer flexible work arrangements, clear communication and a sense of belonging to minimise employee anxieties. 

• Recognise and reward achievements: Recognition triggers the reward centres in the brain, boosting morale and motivation. 

A study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that companies with strong wellbeing programmes experience a 28% reduction in absenteeism and a 50% reduction in turnover.

- SHRM - 2023 Employee Benefits Survey

Understanding your people:

Within our platform the questions are based around the neuroscience themes of safety and freedom to help understand the overall instinctive brain system score across your organisation.

The emotional brain: The symphony's soul

The emotional brain is the conductor, setting the tone for the entire orchestra. It is about feeling connected and valued. Positive emotions like joy and excitement fuel employee engagement and creativity. Negative emotions, like frustration or anger, can disrupt teamwork and productivity.

When employees feel emotionally neglected, they feel isolated and disengaged, leading to lower productivity, less motivation and more absences. They're also less likely to be invested in their work and the organisation’s success. A workplace that doesn't support emotional wellbeing risks underperforming and losing its employees.

HR strategies to engage the emotional brain:

• Foster a positive company culture: Promote respectful interactions, collaboration and opportunities for employees to connect. 

• Celebrate achievements and milestones: Recognition drives belonging and a sense of purpose, boosting morale and emotional connection to the organisation. 

• Encourage playfulness and humour: Research shows laughter reduces stress and improves communication within teams. 

Understanding your people:

Within our platform the questions are based around the neuroscience themes of acknowledgement and relationships to help understand the overall emotional brain system score within your organisation.

The reflective brain: The orchestra's strategist

The reflective brain acts like the orchestra's strategist, analysing information and planning the next move. Responsible for critical thinking, problem-solving and learning, it is what drives us to learn and grow.

When employees feel stuck, unchallenged and uninspired, they will often disengage and feel demotivated which may result in them leaving for better opportunities. This turnover creates unforeseen costs such as recruitment and training costs. The uninspired employees may also negatively impact the organisation’s culture with their lacklustre attitude, affecting the enthusiasm and productivity of the people they work with.

HR strategies to engage the reflective brain:

• Provide opportunities for learning and development: Upskilling and reskilling programmes keep employees intellectually stimulated and engaged. 

• Encourage creativity and innovation: Create an environment where employees feel empowered to experiment and share new ideas. 

• Provide autonomy and ownership: Giving employees control over their work creates a sense of responsibility and ownership, leading to higher engagement. 

Understanding your people:

Within our platform the questions are based around the neuroscience themes of meaning & purpose and personal growth to help understand the overall reflective brain system score.

The rational brain: The orchestra's logician

The rational brain is the orchestra's analytical mind, responsible for weighing options and making informed decisions. It's important for tasks requiring logic, data analysis and objective evaluation.

The rational brain system needs clarity, collaboration and for employees to have access to tools and resources. When employees don't have these they can feel confused and frustrated, which leads to them being unproductive and unmotivated. If employees are not given the opportunity to work collaboratively they will work in isolation leading to a siloed working environment. This can lead to a lack of shared knowledge and ideas which can then result in missed opportunities for the organisation.

HR strategies to engage the rational brain:

• Set clear goals and expectations: Employees need a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities to make rational decisions. 

• Provide data-driven insights: Use data to help employees understand their performance and identify areas for improvement. 

• Offer competitive compensation and benefits: A fair and transparent compensation package provides security and removes financial stress, allowing employees to focus on their work. 

Understanding your people:

Within our platform the questions are based around the neuroscience themes of clarity and enablement to help understand the overall rational brain system score.

The grand finale: A symphony of engagement and happiness

By understanding and nurturing all four brain systems in your employees, you can create a workplace symphony bursting with creativity, productivity and happiness.

Ready to dive deeper?

Understanding the complexities of the human brain can feel like an entire concerto in itself. But The Happiness Index is here to help. Our platform offers a wealth of resources on employee engagement, wellbeing and neuroscience to empower you to unlock the full potential of your workforce. Chat to our experts and see how we can help.