Who’s The Boss You, Or Your Amygdala?

Your first thought, as it was mine when I first heard the term, is probably going to be this: What exactly is an amygdala?

Amygdala: The amygdala is a section of the brain that is responsible for detecting fear and preparing for emergency events. (Source)

Because my educational background is in business, I have little practical knowledge of the brain and brain function beyond the basics that I need to know.

And, while sometimes a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, sometimes it can be priceless!

Attending a meeting today the moderator spent some time discussing the amygdala and how it can affect the way that we work, sell, pursue or decline to pursue business opportunities.

In essence, she said, we are creatures of habit who for better or for worse establish for ourselves a personal comfort zone that we are then loathe to move outside of.

When some idea or pending decision is perceived as uncertain or unpredictable, in other words outside of that pre-established comfort zone, our amygdala will kick in and generate a fight or flight response.

An example that was thrown out was the visceral feeling one might get when an opportunity to enter into a deal that would effectively double our current business presents itself.

Exciting on one level and yet, frightening on many others. The feeling to flee might be overwhelming but at the same time, on purely a business opportunity level, the deal might make a great deal of sense (assuming all of the vetting is positive of course).

So how do we overcome the hesitation to step outside of our comfort zone?

How do we tamp down the fight or flight emotional reaction and instead make a pragmatic business decision?

I’m not 100% sure of that answer yet but, as a rudimentary interim solution, some of the tips in this video may actually work.

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Article by Michael Haltman, President of Hallmark Abstract Service in New York.

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