Alleviate Isolation with this Brain Cocktail—PART 2
Neurotransmitters to tap into for flourishing...
At Funmentum Labs, we’ve been using fun to help groups accomplish seemingly impossible tasks - such as naming their product in a single 2 hour session. So we’ve gotten curious about - what exactly is happening in our brains that helps our methods work so well? Turns out there are key neurotransmitters activated when we are having productive fun at work. We call it the Brain Cocktail.
Last week I explored dopamine, and how it can help you get unstuck. This week, we are going to explore:
#2: Isolation → Oxytocin
Yes, the cuddly hormone - how does that fit at work? Very strongly actually. Isolation is something that a ton of us are experiencing, especially in hybrid work. Now that everything is so scheduled all the time, we both have too many meetings and also not enough time for spontaneous connection. But we need that connection, and the oxytocin it creates.
Here’s a way to get oxytocin: ask a colleague about a recent project they’re working on, or something they’re worried about at work. Then ask follow up questions that go beyond trivial details. See if you can get them to open up about it, and explore it out loud with you. Example questions:
what makes you excited about it?
what’s hard about it?
if you had a magic wand what would you change?
you’re sparking this thought in me (share the thought)— does that make sense? How does that resonate for you?
Another way to inspire Oxytocin is sort of a flip—you can ask them “are there any ways I could improve in our collaboration?” — and then ask genuine follow up questions, while bringing the energy of curiosity instead of defensiveness.
You may think—“who has time in their schedule for this?”. But this is one of the best time investments you can make. If you genuinely are interested in someone, they can feel it, and it will build trust with them. Your colleagues will turn into allies, which are critical in the corporate world (or any workplace really).
If you build trust through oxytocin, they will share information that gives you an advantage in your job. They will be open to hear your feedback or accept your influence on something in their side of the world. This sounds kind of Machiavellian, but it’s only effective when done out of love and genuine interest in the other person’s world.
This can be tough virtually—sometimes these kinds of conversations can happen “after the meeting”, where you call someone 1:1 on the phone to debrief. Or it’s a 1:1, but the conversation is so engaging you blow past the artificial 30 minute construct. Or if you work with VPs whose calendars are time confetti, you try to grab them for lunch or a post work drink. Or you do a walk and talk at the end of the day or early in the morning. Anything that will feel like there’s space to be engaged.
This is worth the time investment, not only because you feel less isolated—you are making deposits in the accounts of your colleagues, which will help you do your job more effectively (and just enjoy your life at work more).
Wrap-Up: The Brain Cocktail (Part 2)
When you or your team are isolated—how can you get oxytocin flowing through your brains? Thinking in terms of the brain chemicals is kind of funny, but it also is a helpful lens to inspire new behavior in yourself and others. Hat tip to Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas - the brain cocktail is drawn from their book Humor, Seriously. A truly excellent read about the power of humor in the workplace. If you made it all the way down here you will love it!
Stay tuned! Next week we’ll highlight the last key ingredient to the brain cocktail, to alleviate burnout. Hit the subscribe button to not miss out.
Thanks,
Devin
p.s. We keep the lights on at Funmentum Labs by running team off-sites. Just keep it in the back of your mind for now… and then when it’s time, let me know.