Do you react to the new with an
alligator brain?
An alligator's reaction to newness in its environment is to eat it, attack it, or run from it.
A human, like alligators and other reptiles, has a brain stem. The brain stem is the part of the brain that controls the fight/flight reaction. Its reaction to newness - new ideas - is to eat, attack or run! A sure way to kill creativity in yourself and others around you.
Humans, unlike reptiles, in addition to a brain stem have a limbic system (responsible for emotions) and a neo-cortex (responsible for logic and thinking). Imagine how much more intelligent, well reasoned, and supportive of creativity our reactions would be if we could shi*ft from a Gator-brained reaction to one governed by our neo-cortex (the innovative brain).
So next time you find yourself about to kill an idea, shift your reaction to another part of your brain. Unless that newness is Dee Dee's Dishes, in which case we advise you to eat
it!
This month's Pearl was generously supplied by Jonathan Vehar, Senior Partner of New And Improved, a consulting company that helps leading companies create growth through innovation, by helping groups of individuals think creatively and work productively together. For more information, check out their website at
www.newandimproved.com, or write Jonathan at jvehar@newandimproved.com.
