~ by Cath Ralston, ODA Member
During ODA’s May event, Vicki Millen skillfully explained and guided us to experience the differences between our brain’s two dominant networks. We reflected on the positive impacts of balancing the time we spend working from each and the negative consequences that may arise when we spend too much time working from one.
The session was based on neuroscience research evidencing the benefits of brain-body integration. Using an orchestra as a metaphor for one’s brain, Vicki explained that our effectiveness and wellbeing depend less on any one part and more about how well they integrate with each other. For individuals, a lack of integration can, for example, look like brain fog, procrastination, emotional reactivity, and a lack of empathy. In teams, we see outcomes like change fatigue, workplace silos, less effective problem solving, and apathy.
We learned how to consciously harness and toggle between our two dominant networks to support neural integration.
Table 1: Summary of the two networks
| Task Positive Network (TPN) | Default Mode Network (DMN) | |
| Metaphor | Engineers | Wizards |
| Time focus | Present – here and now | Past and future |
| Activities | Planning and action Tasks, goals, abstract reasoning, actively paying attention |
Thinking, reflecting, imagining, dreaming, gauging other perspectives, introspective, theory of mind |
| Memory | Short term | Long term |
| Positive | Focus, attention, execution | Reflection, visioning |
| Negative | Mental exhaustion, narrow view | Rumination, overthinking, worrying |
From the table above, we can see there are positive (above the line) and negative (below the line) outcomes from spending too much time working from either. The remedy to prevent and/or shift from these negative states is to do the things that will bring us into the other state. As the kinds of activities may differ for people, Vicki prompted us to find our own so that we can plan our days for balance or shift our state as needed.
The reflective activities prompted me to recognise that I need to integrate and plan for active and nature-based activities each day. This increases my effectiveness to a far greater extent than spending long, uninterrupted hours in front of my computer. I also recognised that the relaxation activities I do in my evenings, learning German and playing chess, are keeping my engineers at work – working from my TPN. So, my remaining challenge is to find more wizardry (DFN) ways to relax.
ODA members, note: A recording of Vicki’s session is available to you via the membership portal; just log on to the ODA website. Another great reason to be an ODA member! Join now!