Using your BRAIN at work

This year I had the privilege of becoming a proud parent for the first time, to our beautiful daughter Isabella.

It goes without saying that this has been a life-changing experience, and I have had the pleasure of learning and experiencing many new things during the seven months she has been with us. Multi-tasking is now a refined skill of mine, as well as on-the-fly risk analysis. "If I leave her in the centre of the room for less than 30 seconds, there's only a 2% chance she'll make it to any source of danger before I return"

Like many first time parents, my wife and I attended antenatal classes to try and prepare for what was to come.

​No, I'm afraid I'm not going to teach you the latest breathing techniques to help you through the stresses of your working day. This is an explanation of how decision making during childbirth is actually relatable to decision making in the workplace.

During childbirth you have to be prepared to make quick, informed, decisions and understand your options and be prepared to adjust your plan and schedule to suit the needs of your baby. You and your partner are empowered to decide what course of action to take but in order to untangle the technical jargon relayed by Midwives and Doctors you are taught a simple acronym to help understand your options fully and aid your decision making process. Use your BRAIN.

Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Instincts, Nothing.

Benefits - Explain what we will we achieve. What is the advantage we will gain.

Risks - Explain what could go wrong. What are the dangers associated with this.

Alternatives - Explain our options. How else could we achieve the same outcome.

Instincts - What's your gut-feeling. What does your experience recommend.

Nothing - What if we wait. Do nothing. What will happen?

This a powerful tool that can be applied to everyday decision making and also when presenting technical options to less technical staff and management teams.

Use your BRAIN.

Want to make better decisions? Follow the link below...