One of my favorite bloggers, Melani Ward, posted this article today. It seems applicable to the collaborative process, doesn't it? The whole post is reprinted below, but you can also click on the title to read it at Melani's blog.
Money or Fairness – Which is More Important?
Did you know that social pain and physical pain light up the same regions of the brain on an MRI and that as far as the brain goes, social pain is just as harmful as physical pain?
The brain also finds fairness intrinsically important. When people’s brains are being monitored, scientist have concluded that when people judge a situation to be fair, reward centers of the brain light up just like they do when they see a loved one or taste great food.
On the other hand, unfair situations generate significant fear and light up a region of the brain that is stimulated when we feel disgust. In one study they found that fairness was more important to the brain than money. What a relief! I was beginning to think money was all anyone cared about.
So, how can you apply this information at work or in your personal life?
Healthy work environments and healthy relationships are a result of instilling fairness and setting up rewards that make people feel positive.
When you embrace social fairness and apply it to every relationship you have, you are essentially dousing everyone with whom you come in contact with serotonin. Serotonin opens the mind and makes people feel great and successful. In return, you’ll be rewarded with individuals who want to be with you more, learn more from you, and do more for you.
On the flip side, if you diminish someone, it’s like you’re injecting them with high levels of cortisol which will shut the brain down and close it off to new ideas and a willingness to help you out.
So, in every relationship you have, think about how you can inject a little more “social fairness” into the equation. Are your words, actions, feelings, and energy generating positive thoughts and positive responses? Are you praising those who work for you or under you? Are you showing and telling them how grateful you are for them? Are you showing gratitude to those you’re in relationships with?
Imagine yourself with a Serotonin Soaker and see how much more satisfying and productive all your interactions can be.
Check out this article on How the Brain Works.
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