The Brain Explainer

27/08/2024

Fancy some science-backed self-care that puts the 'fun' into functional? Then treat yourself to The Leadership Mantra, a NeuroCreative colouring book! Head over to my Etsy Store to download yours now!

This Coloring Books item is sold by NeuroCreativeStudio. Ships from United States. Listed on Aug 26, 2024

04/05/2024

LinkedIn strikes again - old faces and new at a very interesting Belfast hangout. Looking forward to getting to know this co-working collective more.

With Thomas Martin Gilchrist LL.B (Hons) and Alex at Farset Labs

03/05/2024

📂I don't have a CV.
🖼️I have an 'Experience Portfolio'.
Fancy 😜

I have done many things very successfully over the years, but I can almost guarantee you that I would not pass through the eye of most current recruitment needles. 🪡

🧓Not because I’m too old.
🎓Not because I’m not qualified.
🧠Not because I’m not smart enough.

🎲It’s because I don’t know the rules of the game.

Does this resonate with anyone?
It comes up all too often in conversations.

🧑‍🏫I’ve spoken to highly qualified people, applying to organisations with a clear objective to introduce more diversity into their teams. But these organisations are failing - failing their mission, and failing their candidates.

Even with these intentions, there is one big stumbling block.

👓Lack of transparency prior to the interview. I’m not saying this is deliberate, but we can be conditioned by certain thinking - a bias towards how we do things, an assumption that it is 'The Way', or an assumption that our 'Way' is known to all.

Otherwise excellent candidates are not always aware that there may be a formula to answering your interview questions /scenarios. So, if you use CARL or STAR to assess things fairly, then ensuring that all candidates are aware of this is going to increase your chances of identifying the best person for the job.

📨And it seems like such a simple fix - let people know prior to the interview that this is what you’ll be looking for. Or is that crazy talk?

To continue reading, check this link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deirdremorrison_recruitment-hr-diversityinhiring-activity-7190681152901259264-jsg-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

14/04/2024

📣 Professional Women in and around Belfast!

🌟 Leadership Development Opportunity 🌟
🚀 Neuroeffective Leadership Circle with Lean In Network 🚀

If you’re curious about what the intersection of neuroscience and leadership means for the workplace, I'm excited to announce a unique opportunity for my female connections in and around Belfast.

As part of the inspiring Lean In Network—founded by Sheryl Sandberg to champion women's career growth—I've initiated a Circle dedicated to Neuroeffective Leadership.

🧠 What's on the Agenda?
Join a close-knit group of 10-12 women, ready to dive into how neuroscience can empower us as leaders. Our journey will blend accessible neuroscience tools, experiential learning, enriching peer discussions, and, of course, the chance to expand our professional networks in meaningful ways.
From enhancing interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence to mastering stress management and resilience, decision-making, and igniting creative thinking—this circle is about growing together, in leadership and life.

🤔 Why Join?
This isn't just about professional development. It's about enriching our lives in every dimension, unlocking potentials we knew we had (and some we didn't).

📆 Ready for This Adventure?
If you're as excited as I am to explore the possibilities of neuroeffective leadership, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a message!

And if I'm tagging you below, it's because I value your support in spreading the word about this pioneering journey that's about to begin.
Let's lean into neuroeffective leadership together!

13/04/2024

Are Masterminds dead?

Let's face it, Masterminds are not a new idea. They've been around as long as the hills. Or since Napoleon Hill at least!

But in today's world of online communities and vast networks, where there's always someone willing to offer you an opinion, and probably sell you a solution, is there still a space for these smaller, more intentional groups?

How do you view mastermind groups in the context of current trends and digital accessibility?

🏆 Valuable and relevant for my career progression
🎩 Old hat and outdated
🤷 Never tried one

Go to this link to answer the question: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deirdremorrison_masterminds-professionaldevelopment-groupcoaching-activity-7181546054952091648-zpoF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

12/04/2024

Change is constant, as they say.

It’s how we perceive it that makes the difference.

I was pulling on a hoodie I hadn’t worn in a while this morning, and in the pocket, I found a face mask.

It transported me momentarily to a time when face masks were all the rage…. This season, I shall be wearing mostly PPE….

But here we are now. Change after change. We are all capable of change, thanks to those marvellous brains and their neuroplasticity.

Sometimes it seems easier than others to create sustainable change. Why is that?
How do we support our brains in creating change either individually or collectively?
Are you curious about this?
If so, hit the like & follow for more :)

11/04/2024

Awards season is upon us.....
This week, I have the pleasure of recognising some of the most creative, colourful, and not to mention cute junior entrepreneurs :)

I have to tell you, it has been an eye opener. They were set a product development challenge, as part of the Junior Dragons programme, created by Ellie Irving, and what emerged was nothing short of amazing.

These kids are 9-11 years old. They formed the most amazing, co-operative, self-managing teams. They collaborated. They brainstormed. They delegated and divided up work loads.

Some have created genuinely marketable ideas (as evidenced by their class mates trying to buy the prototypes!). Some have discovered their zones of genius by pushing their idea of what creativity is, and what they can use in their work. And some have absolutely shone by just leaning into what it is that they love.

Honestly, I have met people here that I would ABSOLUTELY assign roles in management, research, sales, and design. They have been amazing.

So today, we'll recognise that. This isn't an attendance certificate. This is a recognition of strengths certificate. There are many categories, ranging from creative design, to young leader. I want them to know that their strengths have been seen, and that those strengths are valuable and valued.

Not everyone fits into the same boxes. (I should know ;)) We really need to see people for who they are and what they're good at.

There's a phrase in Irish, 'Mol an oige agus tiocfaidh siad.' Basically, it means praise the young, and they'll come. Our young shoots of creativity, skill, and exploration need to be nourished, not measured against adult scales and checklists.

I, for one, have thoroughly enjoyed my time with these amazing kids, and there is no reward or accolade I have appreciated more, than them asking me if I'll come back again. That, my friends, has been the highlight of my year so far.

20/03/2024

Here's another opportunity to join me for a virtual workshop event, hosted by National Organisation for Responsible Micro, Small and Medium-sized Businesses.

On 19th April, we'll be exploring:
- developing personal resources such as resilience and creative thinking
- how brain science can help change-makers
- new resources to help on those days when seems like creating meaningful change isn’t possible

This is open to ORB members, but if you're not already a member, I'd encourage you to check out their great work.

Click here for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deirdremorrison_book-now-emotional-support-for-change-makers-activity-7173950984585420800-D5fQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

19/03/2024

I had the pleasure of spending a day with someone well outside my field not so long ago. I got to ask ALL the questions I could think of about a whole new subject - in this instance, the middle ages.

Of course, this is the kind of opportunity that I absolutely relish - I had a load of questions about architecture, plague, population density, and whether beer really was safer than water.

There were a few good humoured eyerolls about some of the myths I'd picked up (see above re. beer).

Of course this got me thinking.
When we run into someone who's got a different area of expertise, it's such a great opportunity.

Do we embrace it and ask all the questions, or do we sit back and hope to pass ourselves in the conversation without appearing too daft?

How do we approach it when the conversation is so intimately connected with how we think about ourselves - about our very inner workings - our brain....

I'm all in favour of the asking the questions approach. There are no stupid questions when you're learning something new.

If the person you're speaking to is worth their salt, they'll love sharing their passion and knowledge with you, and they won't mind starting at the start either.

We all start somewhere, right? Surprising as it may seem, no one is born knowing words or concepts like neuroplasticity!
Be brave!
Ask the questions!
Most people are only too delighted to have the conversations! I am for sure. Come to an event if you can - it's always more fun. I'll be doing a virtual one for NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action) on 25th April and in person with Emma Djemil The HR Big Meet on 17th May for a start.

CAPTION COMP: How would you caption these two middle ages peeps doing their brain intervention? Thankfully, we have come a long way since then!

18/03/2024

Here's the thing about personal development.
There are so many people who are happy to tell us WHAT to do.
So many methods and acronyms for success systems!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, by the way.
Who doesn't love a good acronym! It helps us remember. That's a good thing.

But honestly, if you don't understand the 'why' behind the 'what' - the reasons behind the regime - then you run the risk of undermining your potential to succeed.

That's not the way for everyone, of course. Some of us just love a bit of woo and magic, and are happy with the 'faith in the feel good'. Horses for courses.

To read more about this article, check this link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deirdremorrison_personaldevelopment-brainawareness-success-activity-7172863950626234369-zOaI?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

17/03/2024

*New Event Dates*

We're back, and we've got brand new dates for the Tools for Thriving Workplaces!

This workshop is organised in conjunction with NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action), and is for HR managers, team leaders, those who manage staff or volunteers in the Voluntary and Community Sector and want to improve how they communicate with and support them, with greater awarness of neuro-tools and techniques.

This event will be delivered virtually, so I'd love to see you there!
Click below to know more!

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deirdremorrison_tools-for-thriving-workplaces-with-neuro-activity-7173226282225254401--DJR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

16/03/2024

I'm not going to lie.
There are times when the work that needs to be done feels overwhelming.
Today is one of those days.

It was prompted by a request to contribute to an article about how certain advances in technology could serve to help us tap into our humanity more.

It's a beautiful and idealistic idea. But the state of things, and the patterns we see in human society again and again suggest that it's unlikely to be the case, unless something changes radically, and quickly.

Look at what our species does - and has done - as our technology has advanced.
- we become more detached from our environments
- we find ways to pack any time we might save with other stuff
- we experienced some of the benefits of slowing down during covid, but we just ramped things back up again as soon as we got a chance

And yes, I absolutely see that there is a tension in this equation - a push-pull that has always existed, and is built into the very fabric of things.

To read more please check this link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deirdremorrison_technology-personaldevelopment-culture-activity-7172161704108216320-6V5h?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop