Inspirational quotes. Why are they easy to relate to, but hard to follow?.

Great leaders…

Recently, I came across an inspiring quote on LinkedIn. Paraphrased, it went something like this: “Great leaders believe they work for their team; average leaders believe their team works for them.”

“Great” leaders would probably say something like, “Yes, that’s exactly how I act.” The “average” ones would say, “Hmm, yes, that makes sense.” And then the story stops. Not because even the average ones don’t want to be “great,” but simply because it’s not that simple.

Why do we easily relate to inspirational statements, but find them difficult to follow?

Inspirational quotes often reflect universal human experiences and emotions.

It’s all pretty much like horoscopes. Inspirational, motivational quotes will tap into our hidden desires and goals, which can be a powerful motivator. However, despite recognizing ourselves in these quotes, following them can be challenging for several reasons.

The first and most basic reason is the lack of steps. The comfort zone is the next, “good” reason that will stop us. Various life challenges, internal resistance, focus, lack of motivation… are all other potential factors.

Belief as a cognitive process

Belief is a cognitive process in which an individual accepts a statement as true or real, based on some evidence, past experience, or cultural/moral norms. It is an internal representation of our understanding of the world and will influence our thoughts, feelings, and likely behavior. Sometimes beliefs can change if new information is presented to us or we have a new personal experience. Because, after all, humans are environmental and experiential beings.

Also, belief as a “brain function” refers to how the brain processes information to form convictions. The formation of beliefs is a complex process involving the frontal lobe, which is responsible for decision-making, and the temporal lobe, which is involved in processing sensory information. Today, beliefs are considered to be represented in the brain as networks of neurons that activate in response to relevant stimuli. These networks are constantly “updated and modified” based on our acquired experiences and the data from which we have gained some information, then knowledge, and ultimately “wisdom” (DIKW model).

It is also believed that beliefs can have a strong impact on our emotions, behavior, and perception of reality. For example, beliefs about self-worth or the world can shape our outlook on life and influence our interactions with others. Generally, belief as a brain function emphasizes the complex interplay between our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and the brain’s role in “shaping” our convictions.

So where is the problem?

The problem lies in the first sentence of the previous paragraph. “…Belief is a cognitive process in which an individual accepts a statement as true or real, but based on some evidence, past experience, or cultural/moral norms…”

Experience is a particular problem. Today, digitalization increasingly “takes away” experiences related to human skills. “Older” generations – boomers, Xers, and partly millennials – had time to acquire these experiences and human skills, but it is much harder for younger generations.

Another problem is “in the head” :) or rather, in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for decision-making. Judgment and decision-making are another skill that some have had the opportunity to develop, while others have not.

And what is the solution?

The solution, of course, lies with HR professionals responsible for learning and development. Their task is to provide and change experiences for both “great” and “average” leaders. This experience can be changed through play.

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® as a game

We can develop human skills with the help of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a facilitation method that uses Lego bricks to help people explore complex problems, generate ideas, and find solutions. The method is based on the idea that playing with bricks can stimulate a deeper level of thinking and learning. Through the process of building and reflecting on their creations, participants can express their thoughts and ideas in a more visual and, very importantly, tangible way. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® can be used to develop various human skills, including problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration, and communication. It is often used in business settings for team building and strategic planning but can also be used in educational or personal development environments. During LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® training, participants are asked to build models using Lego bricks that represent their thoughts, ideas, and concepts related to a specific problem, challenge, or deficit skill.

Using Lego bricks in this way aims to engage both the left and right sides of the brain, which helps foster creative and analytical thinking. By building and discussing their models, participants can explore complex issues in a more visual and tactile way, facilitating deeper understanding and encouraging higher-quality opinions and conclusions. And most importantly, they will “gain” experience. Acquiring leadership skills is an ideal “topic” for the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method.

Why play?

Play is an important part of human development and has been shown to have a number of benefits for adults, including improved emotional well-being and increased creativity. Engaging in play can also activate the amygdala, as it often involves experiencing and processing emotions. For example, when adults play board games, they may experience feelings of pleasure, excitement, or competition. These emotions can be processed and regulated by the amygdala.

In addition to the benefits of play for emotional well-being, research has also shown that play can positively affect amygdala functioning. For example, one study found that play was associated with reduced amygdala activity and increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in higher-level thinking and decision-making. This suggests that play can help regulate the amygdala and improve cognitive functioning in adults.

Among other things, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® can be used to facilitate judgment and decision-making in several ways. For example, it can be used to:

• Help individuals or groups better understand and clarify their values, goals, and priorities

• Explore and generate potential opportunities or solutions to a problem

• Evaluate and compare the pros and cons of different options

• Make informed and well-reasoned decisions.

By using Lego bricks to represent different ideas, options, or scenarios, participants can more easily visualize and consider the implications of different choices. This can help them make more informed and effective decisions.

In the context of leadership, we use LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® to help develop strategic thinking and decision-making skills. The process allows leaders to visualize their ideas and solutions in a tangible way, facilitating communication and collaboration within their teams. It can also be used to help leaders develop creativity, empathy, and emotional intelligence. By building and discussing models, leaders can explore different perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and develop “fine” solutions to complex problems.

Overall, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a valuable tool for leaders who want to improve their skills and foster a more innovative, collaborative work environment.

Of course, the motivational statement at the beginning of the text is absolutely a valid motivational statement, if it’s “alive.”

What is the amygdala? (for those who haven’t seen previous articles)

The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure located in the brain that is involved in numerous important functions, including emotions and decision-making. In situations perceived as life-threatening, the amygdala plays a crucial role in activating the body’s stress response. When the amygdala senses a potential threat, it sends a signal to the hypothalamus, which in turn activates the sympathetic nervous system. This causes the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which help prepare the body for action. The stress response increases heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, and redirects blood flow to muscles and other organs needed for fight or flight. In life-threatening situations, the amygdala helps ensure the body is ready to respond to the threat. It is important to note that the amygdala can also be activated in response to situations that are not life-threatening, such as when we feel anxious or stressed. In these cases, the stress response may not be necessary, and amygdala activation can be detrimental to our well-being.