Can I be the one to lead the change?

Historical events like the one we are living through today have a propensity to act as a catalyst for change. We have already seen monumental shifts in the way we work, as businesses do what they do best and adapt to their circumstances. Other changes such as reforms to education and healthcare will be slower to come as the bureaucracy of governmental systems stands firmly in the way of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. But change will come – of that I am sure. 

For me, this last 12 months has solidified my thinking about the importance of our approach for meaningful societal change. Executive functions underpin so many of our social challenges; if we understood executive functioning better people would find sustainable ways to overcome these challenges. I know that if everyone could understand the basics of neuroscience and the critical role of our executive functions then the world would be a fairer, healthier and more sustainable place. The way to develop this understanding is through training and the building of a community of dedicated pioneers which form the basis of our work at Connections in Mind. Over the last few months - whilst fighting off feelings of fear and doubt - my thinking has crystalised and I have realised, that I have what it takes to lead this change, in fact I know it’s my life’s purpose. 

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, let me start with a definition of executive functions. It is a cumbersome term, but one coined, and regularly used, in neuroscience, that I am not at liberty to change. Very simply: executive functions are the brain processes which help us to execute tasks. They are the part of our brain which regulates our instincts and impulses. Executive functions help us to self-regulate, hold information in our short-term memory and think flexibly. They do not fully develop until our late 20s in neurotypical people and underpin a myriad of traits of neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism and more. Every single person on earth has strengths and challenges in their executive function profile. They wax and wane depending on our personal levels of stress, nutrition, and sleep. Most importantly everyone, no matter what their age, background or education can benefit from working to improve their executive functions and associated skills.

Executive functions and their associated skills (executive function skills) under pin a variety of social challenges. I believe that if everyone understood the basics of how the brain works and the critical role the executive functions have in helping people participate fully in society then the world would be a better place:

·     If parents understand that their 2-year-old hasn’t fully developed the part of the brain they need to inhibit their responses when they have a tantrum. They will be less likely to try and shame and punish them out of their responses. 

·     If teachers understand that a child who struggles to get started on a task in class and is disruptive needs help developing their executive function skill, task initiation, rather than punishment through a detention.

·     If education leaders and policy makers can understand that the current system rewards those children who have abnormally strong executive functions rather than those with any form of innate intelligence, then we will be able to reform education to make it fairer for all. 

·     If doctors can understand that a patient’s lack of progress in adopting a healthy diet is because they have weak response inhibition. They need support to develop skills in this area to avoid temptation rather than medical interventions to alleviate their symptoms.

·     If prison rehabilitation staff can understand that the inmate who is always picking fights is in fact lacking emotional control skills and needs to learn how to self-regulate.

·     If managers can understand that an otherwise excellent colleague who is chronically late on deadlines needs training and support to develop their planning and prioritisation skills rather than a written warning.

If in all these cases and millions more people understand that the skills we need to live productive, healthy, stable lives are just that: skills. Skills which need training and support to develop. Then it would help us to reframe the challenges we face in society and start to think of innovative and sustainable ways that we can overcome them.  

As I share my knowledge with more and more people, the power of our approach never ceases to take my breath away. There is not a webinar I host, a talk I give or a professional training course I deliver where at least one, if not many, people speak to me afterwards briming with excitement about how our approach has changed the way they think about the world, learning or their own personal development. To write this sounds like I, my Co-Founders and colleagues have developed some sort of miracle, mystery cure but instead all we have done is translated years of neuroscientific research into digestible information for people to access, learn from and use. It resonates with people because it is grounded in science but mostly because it is logical and practical, and we can all identify directly with the concepts.

Learning about it once is not enough; I have found that people who are so excited by our approach often return to their school, workplace or home and without regular support struggle to implement their learning or share their new knowledge in a meaningful way. I have found that what they need is regular recaps on the learning, support from other likeminded people and a sense of purpose that it is worth fighting for change, because the benefits outweigh the hard work needed to achieve it. What they need is a community. A community of other pioneering people: people who have discovered for themselves the power of an executive function approach; are dedicated to making sustainable change in the world; and who are willing to share their knowledge, experiments and best practice. The people will be what makes this community work, yet every strong community needs a leader: someone whose passion for the cause means that they live and breathe this work every day, someone with a vision for the future, someone dedicated to the ultimate goal.

 During lockdown, as many people did, I spent time soul-searching. It became clear to me that our message held the key to significant social change. Change for good, change which will improve the lives of millions of people, change which will make us happier, healthier and more connected. Training and community are the key to this change, but it needs a leader. Like many change makers I was crippled by doubt: who am I to nominate myself as a change maker? Am I mis-using my privilege? Do I deserve to take on this work? Over the past few months, I have done some deep work with my coach on this and two quotes have really resonated with me and become my mantra. “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs and “Be grateful for what you have AND demand what you deserve.” Abby Wambach. I start 2021 absolutely convinced of my role as change maker, but I do so humbly and always remembering this is about the work and not the ego. Typing it out here is hard because I have been conditioned not to put my head above the parapet, to fit in and follow the crowd. Now I am firmly stepping off the path and treading my new path, one which will lead to important change for us all.

This mission is my life work, I intend to change the world, for the benefit of all people everywhere. The recipe is simple, but it will take strong goal directed persistence, flexibility, metacognition and emotional control on my part (these are all executive function skills). I believe that I am just about the right balance of crazy and practical to achieve my goal. I will not be doing this alone; I already have a dedicated team of supporters and colleagues who are just as passionate about our cause as I am. I am always looking for people to join me on this journey, please email me victoria@connectionsinmind.co.uk to get involved or join our network of likeminded professionals on Mighty Networks here.