Have you ever felt like you were on the same 'wavelength' as someone? Ever wondered what human brains do when they solve problems together?
In this episode, we take a look at brainwave or neural synchrony and what it means for teamwork and collective problem-solving. We also dive into why the body matters a lot when it comes to the brain.
I met Caroline Szymanski several years when we co-facilitated a workshop on the Neurobiology of Innovation at the Design Thinking Festival - hosted by the Hasso Platner Institute for Design Thinking. She is a social neuroscientist, consultant, coach at the HPI School of Design Thinking and former researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.
Caroline’s work explores how our brains function not just in isolation but in dynamic, social settings. Her research focuses on concepts such as co-creation and innovation, and how our brains align in terms of wave frequencies when we engage with others. Her insights challenge traditional views of neuroscience that often consider the brain in isolation, rather than as part of an interactive social organism. Her social brain research helps us better understand how brains function within social interactions and offers insights into optimizing teamwork and collective intelligence.
Below are 5 key insights from her research on neural synchrony and collective intelligence:
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Brains on the same wavelength = better teams
By measuring brain activity in real-time during interactions, Caroline's studies reveal that synchronized brain patterns often correlate with more efficient teamwork. Her experiments show that teams with higher levels of brain synchronization tend to perform better, indicating a strong link between neural alignment and effective collaboration.
We can't force brains to synchronize
One of the core elements of Szymanski's research is the exploration of whether synchronized brain activity is part of an innate ability or if it can be induced through external stimuli. Her experiments reveal that trying to artificially synchronize brain waves can actually hinder the natural synchronization process. This finding highlights that the ability to sync up is unique to each pair of individuals, influenced by their dynamic interaction and can't be externally imposed.
Embodiment
Brain synchronization and collect intelligence are influenced by movement and action. Szymanski's research highlights the idea that physical actions are embedded and integral to social cognition, and suggests that incorporating more movement-based activities can help enhance team dynamics.
Joint attention
Joint attention refers to the shared focus of two people on a third entity. In social neuroscience, joint attention is believed to be the foundational pillar of language and complex social behaviors. Szymanski's studies demonstrate that this joint attention can lead to increased brain synchronization, even in the absence of physical movement. This insight has profound implications for understanding how shared goals and visions can enhance teamwork and innovation in organizations.
Misconceptions about diversity in teamwork
While diversity is often seen as a key driver of innovation, some research shows that the effectiveness of diverse teams depends on the dynamics within the team, not just diversity in and of itself. As the research suggests, simply bringing together people with different perspectives does not automatically result in successful collaboration. Certain types of dynamics that result from a variety of skill levels or perspectives can hinder a team's ability to problem solve effectively. For example, if someone with a lower level of skills or knowledge has higher levels of confidence than others in a group, this can lower the group's collective ability to accurately navigate a problem or challenge they are faced with.
Neural synchrony and social neuroscience research helps us move out of studying brains in isolation and gives us new insights into collective intelligence and relationship dynamics. Listen to more of her insights in this episode.
Learn more about Caroline Szymanski's research
Also check out Suzanne Dikker's work on brainwave synchrony and how this can inform education.
