Framework 130 Satisfying Social Cognitive Needs
Introduction
The brain has specific, traceable and trackable social needs, ie it doesn't like being alone
Six needs are required to satisfy the neurochemical brain, ie start from the bottom with relatedness and move up to hope for the future.
(source: Pippa Hague, 2022) ©NeuroPower Group
Addressing these 6 needs in a change context:
1. Relatedness (refers to strong links to the community; your work is valued; stakeholders' concerns are addressed; foundations are laid, ie choosing values, rules of engagement, roles and responsibilities, feelings, etc)
2. Expression (refers to expressing your feelings; need to include 'hard', difficult conversations, etc; need to have the right, safe environment so that people can express their authentic feelings, etc without fear of any ramifications, etc)
3. Leading the pack (refers to setting and achieving goals; incremental success measures; improve and consolidate improvements; understanding what is working, and not working, for your different stakeholders, ie monitor and evaluate around engagement, etc)
4. Interpersonal connection (refers to caring for and respecting others, especially those most impacted by the change; feel free to express your feelings, ie any emotional anxiety; become the custodians of the experience; ensure that participants have adequate resources, etc)
5. Seeing the facts (refers to data; continually reviewing performance, etc)
6. Hope for the future (based on the previous 5 needs being satisfied; refers to vision or purpose, etc)
NB These six social cognitive needs of the brain are linked with our baseline needs as humans, ie
- belonging (to a fair, safe community where you have a clear role; adding value; socially accepted, etc)
- achieving (feel successful and in control; with achievable tasks and celebrating success; involved in prestigious, higher status work; respected and admired by others, etc)
- progressing (learning and growing; feeling and seeing progress; getting a return for your effort, etc)
When applying these needs, it can help to think of them in terms of mechanics and dynamics; mechanics (are we clear on the systems, processes and measures that need to be in place to be successful) and dynamics (do we feel safe, can we express and feel connected, and do we have an emerging feeling of optimism that it's all going to turn out OK)
(source: Pippa Hague, 2022) ©NeuroPower Group