Today’s glass-walled offices may seem far-removed from the caves of the early humans, but the evolutionary principles of the hunter-gatherers continue to inform the responses of managers to stressful situations. New research from Ashridge Business School at University of Reading has cast new light on how the fight or flight instinct impacts on the behaviour and effectiveness of managers.
The managers participating in the Leading on the Edge programme were fitted with heart rate monitors, which operated constantly over a period of two days. During that time, the participants were required to deal with a series of simulated stressful situations, including conflict, tough conversations and unexpected crises.
The results showed a strong correlation between increased heart rate and learning capacity, prompting the researchers to suggest greater use of simulation in management training. Increases in heart rate correlate strongly to enhanced cognitive function when the participant perceives a challenge. In cave man terms, your body and mind are priming themselves for a fight that you know you can win.
Despite these advantages, if the experience of stress reaches too great a level of intensity, the situation is perceived as a threat and the effect begins to counteract itself. The body and brain become overstimulated and must prepare to retreat, which reduces cognitive function. Obviously, in this situation the manager is not equipped to make the best decision. What’s more, repeated occurrence of this kind of intense pressure can have serious implications for both physical and mental health.
However, while we are constantly impacted by our neurobiology, we’re not slaves to it. Other high intensity professionals, such as surgeons, race car drivers and pilots all undertake extensive simulation training in recognition of the fact that the mind can be strengthened and can learn to cope with progressively greater levels of pressure. These systems are not widely used in business. Instead, managers are very often expected to learn by doing. But the Reading researchers emphasise that these are extremely uncertain economic times and there is phenomenal decision-making pressure being put on executives. As such, improved training techniques present a significant opportunity to expedite training, deal effectively with crises and avoid losses.
Using simulation techniques, prospective managers and executives can accustom themselves to the most challenging situations they are likely to face in their work. The simulation triggers the physiological response in a way that can never be achieved by a textbook or seminar and so the trainees can enjoy the enhanced learning ability that seems to come with increased heart rate. At the same time, they will be aware that the training format provides a safe space which offsets the risk of reverting to “flight mode” and losing the advantages.
Anyone who runs regularly knows that the way to prepare for a long distance is to slowly increase the length of your runs, allowing your muscles to gradually adjust to the task required. Remember that the mind is also a muscle and by taking on appropriate training you can ensure that it’s ready to face the necessary challenges.
Till next time,
Julia
