When the Brain Says No : The Neuroscience Behind Resistance, Resilience and Moving Fowarsd
If you’ve ever announced an organizational change and noticed the room go quiet — like the Wi-Fi just died — you’re not alone. Change communication, in corporate life, is like sending a “We need to talk” text. You might have the best intentions, but the brain on the other side is already bracing for impact. I’ve seen it countless times. During one transformation exercise, we explained the logic, strategy, and structure in painstaking detail. A colleague raised her hand and asked, “So… are we still safe?” That’s when it hit me — logic doesn’t calm fear; connection does. The Brain’s Old Software for a New World Despite all our evolution, the human brain still runs on three key systems: • Reptilian Brain – Keeps us alive. It asks, “Am I safe?” • Limbic Brain – Manages emotions and relationships. It asks, “Do I belong?” • Neocortex – Handles logic and reason. It asks, “Can I understand this?” When change strikes, the amygdala (the brain’s alarm bell) takes over — not to sabotage us, but to...
