EMPOWERING PEOPLE IS IMPOSSIBLEThe neuroscience of intrinsic motivation

Jenni Jepsen

@jenniindk

jenni@goagile.dk

2. a management practice of sharing information, rewards, and power with employees so that they can take initiative and make decisions to solve problems and improve service and performance

empowerment

/ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/ (noun)

1. the giving or delegation of power or authority; authorization

Empowered peopleEmpower people

• Decision-making

• Emotion control

• Higher-level thought

• Mental flexibility

• Goal-oriented behavior

Prefrontal

Cortex (PFC)

THINKING REGION OF THE BRAIN

Limbic System

• Long-term memory

• Old habits

• Reward, pleasure

• Fear

• Prejudice

FEELING REGION OF THE BRAIN

WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF GIVING CONTROL?Common obstacles Agile leaders face on the journey

Busy-ness

Contradictory messages

in the environment

Policies & procedures we ”have to” follow

Stress

Old habits

WE’RE WIRED TO STAY IN HABIT MODE

Doing what we know

takes less energy

for the brain.

CREATING NEW HABITS

1. DECIDE on a behavior change –

Choose one thing and DO it.

Pay attention, attend to it! (Act your way to new thinking.)

1. Feel good about the results of

the change (get ”rewarded” through

positive feedback).

1. Repeat.

It’s up to you to create an environment

where people feel empowered.

What would be the physical evidence

that people in your

organization feel empowered?

How can we

act our way

to new thinking?

What’s your nudge ?ACT YOUR WAY TO NEW THINKING

1. By yourself, come up with the one thing you would like

to improve about yourself.

3. Now, in your group of 2, brainstorm specific things you

(each person) could do to ”act your way to new thinking.”

4. Take that idea, and create your own nudge.

2. Get into groups of 2, and share and discuss WHY you

want to work on this.

GET IN TOUCH

Jenni Jepsen

@jenniindk

jenni@goagile.dk