The Brain Explainer

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

📣 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!

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.

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

www.linkedin.com

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!