In an era of relentless organizational transformation, understanding the neuroscience of change is no longer a niche insight but a critical competency for effective leadership. This training course is meticulously designed to equip executives and managers with the knowledge of how the human brain reacts to change, enabling them to anticipate resistance, foster adaptability, and lead with greater empathy and impact. By delving into the biological underpinnings of our responses to uncertainty, you will gain a powerful advantage in orchestrating successful transitions and building resilient teams.

This intensive five-day program goes beyond traditional change management models, offering a deep dive into the psychological and neurological processes that drive behavior during periods of disruption. Participants will learn how to leverage brain-friendly communication strategies, mitigate the threat response, and cultivate a growth mindset within their teams. By the end of this course, you will possess the strategic foresight and practical tools to lead change initiatives that not only achieve business objectives but also support the well-being and engagement of your workforce.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Senior Managers and Executives
• Change Management Professionals
• Human Resources and Organizational Development Leaders
• Project and Program Managers
• Team Leaders and Supervisors
• Consultants specializing in organizational change
• High-Potential Leaders
• Communication and Public Relations Specialists
• Anyone responsible for leading or supporting change initiatives
• Leaders seeking to enhance emotional intelligence

Objectives:

• Understand the neurological basis of resistance and adaptation to change.
• Develop strategies to mitigate the brain's threat response during change.
• Learn to communicate change in a way that aligns with brain function.
• Cultivate a growth mindset and foster psychological safety in teams.
• Enhance emotional intelligence for more effective change leadership.
• Apply neuroscience principles to design more effective change interventions.
• Identify and leverage the brain's reward systems to drive adoption.
• Build resilient individuals and teams capable of thriving amidst uncertainty.
• Create a personalized action plan for leading brain-smart change.

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Brain's Response to Change

• Understanding the limbic system and prefrontal cortex in change
• The SCARF model: Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, Fairness
• The brain's natural aversion to uncertainty and loss
• The fight, flight, or freeze response in organizational contexts
• How stress impacts cognitive function and decision-making

Module 2: Communicating for Brain Engagement

• Crafting messages that reduce threat and build psychological safety
• The power of clear, consistent, and frequent communication
• Using storytelling to create meaning and connection during change
• Engaging the prefrontal cortex for rational decision-making
• The importance of active listening and empathetic dialogue

Module 3: Building Psychological Safety and Trust

• The neuroscience of trust and its role in collaboration
• Creating an environment where it's safe to speak up and experiment
• The leader's role in modeling vulnerability and intellectual humility
• Encouraging feedback and learning from mistakes
• Fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion

Module 4: Managing Resistance with Brain Insights

• Identifying the neurological roots of resistance
• Strategies to reduce perceived threat and increase certainty
• Empowering autonomy and choice in the change process
• Building relatedness and shared purpose to overcome silos
• Addressing perceptions of unfairness in change implementation

Module 5: Cultivating a Growth Mindset

• The neuroscience of fixed vs. growth mindsets
• Strategies for fostering resilience and adaptability
• Encouraging learning from challenges and setbacks
• Developing a culture of continuous improvement
• The leader's role in promoting a positive outlook on change

Module 6: Emotion Regulation and Leadership Presence

• Understanding and managing your own emotional responses to change
• Techniques for emotional regulation under pressure
• The impact of a leader's emotional state on the team
• Cultivating executive presence through self-awareness
• Leading with calm, clarity, and conviction

Module 7: Designing Brain-Friendly Change Interventions

• Applying neuroscience principles to change planning
• Designing training and development programs that engage the brain
• Structuring meetings and workshops for optimal engagement
• Leveraging reward systems to reinforce new behaviors
• Creating a sustainable framework for neuro-informed change

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.