You know that ‘cooked’ or fried brain feeling ...

When we’re overloaded with too much information, our response might be to say, ‘I can’t take anymore, I’m done.’ 

The ‘I’m done’ statement sounds like we are cooked, roasted, ‘done’ 
and baked. 

And in a way, we are. 

Our brain feels fried and full and there isn’t any more space to take in more content, information or learning.

Whatever we try to add in, seems to overflow and doesn’t stick or stay there. This is cognitive overload. 

Like the overflowing of a dam wall, rising river waters in times of flood, a monster tide on the full moon or a 
glass overflowing at the kitchen sink: all of these situations show 
us what is happening in our brains with information. 

There’s too much information for the space available.

Our brain doesn’t seem to have evolved to cope with the huge amounts of information we’re expecting it to today. 

We don’t help ourselves by doing these 3 things: 

1. trying to just ‘soak up’ information 
2. multitasking with more than one device or source of information 
and
3. repeatedly switching between the sources. 

Look out for when you’re feeling cooked and ‘done’. It’s a clear signal to try a new or different way of handling information. And we don’t have to suffer this. 

Check if you’re doing any of the 3 things listed above. As you reduce these and bring in contrasting behaviours that help with cognitive load coping, you’ll feel better ... quickly. 

Read more in my book:
‘Argh! Too much information, not enough brain: A practical guide to outsmarting overwhelm’. 

Psychological safety in a hybrid world

The mix of some people here, some people there, some people anywhere, is creating this hybrid world of work. 

And it requires some subtle responses. 

Psychological safety is still psychological safety. No matter where people are working from. 

Amy Edmondson’s work is extended here in collaboration with Mark Mortensen in this Harvard Business Review article that’s a must read for leaders and managers. 

Navigating the hybrid world of work requires a step by step process. 

‘I love your posts and pictures!’, they said

‘Oh, thank you,’ I said. ‘Now theres a heap of them together ... in the one place.’ 

I’ve curated a collection of ideas, posts and imagery from the last year or so and published them in ‘Better Ways of Thinking and Working’. 

In this era of change, uncertainty and complexity, how are you adopting better ways of thinking and working? 

What are these better ways, anyway … and how do you get started?

In this 180 page full colour collection of practical and mind-shifting essays, you’ll find inspiration, insights and a path to better.

It also features the practical, creative and inspiring hand-drawn visuals that accompany many of my ideas. 

When you need a shot of insight, a change of perspective or a reframing about how you could do things, possibilities are on every page. 


‘Better Ways of Thinking and Working: How Changing The Way You Do Things, Changes What You Can Do’. 

Get it here

Connecting deeper ... remotely

In these hybrid times when people may be here, there and anywhere, there’s a danger we miss the good quality, deep connections. 

Not the login type of connection - nor the break the ice chit-chat connection. 

But rather, the deeper ability to engage with people, to bring warmth, humanity and empathy to an online call with a remote team. 

To say ‘it’s not the same as face to face’ or ‘it’s hard to read cues and body language’ is to try to use the same techniques. 

But you may have to do something different. Many things different. 

How can you better connect with your team no matter where they are? 

Many days of each week I’m working with a brand new team, a new group of people I’ve not met before. Swift and deep connection with them is a priority. 

We’ve got to be able to get close online, to trust and build engagement so we can achieve what needs to be achieved. 

And quickly. 

Consider how you’ll make connections with your team, group or meeting participants. 

Every time. 

Don’t leave it to chance. 
Or think it’s not important. 
Or that you’re already well enough connected. 

How deeply you can connect with people affects everything else that follows. 

Finding your way with the new

Copying someone else’s way of working might just work. 

And it might not. 

While there are methods, techniques and new habits to start, sometimes the best thing to do is simply try them out. 

No strings attached. 

Try it on. How does it feel? What do you like about it? How might it work for you? 

As businesses change to new and agile ways of working, there can be a little too much ‘don’t mess it up’ and not enough ‘let’s try it out’. 

I’ve been working with leaders and their teams as they try tools, techniques and methods like 
- visual management 
- timeboxing for tasks and meetings 
- backlogs of tasks to be done
- co-creating with customers 
- running experiments 
... and 30+ more ways of working. 

This is no switch to flip overnight. 

It’s an opportunity to learn, experiment and experience... over time. You might even bring some of the greatest detractors into the experience. 

‘This was so much better than I thought it would be’, said a participant at a Better Ways of Working virtual workshop recently. 

Safe. Experimental. Collaborative. Supportive. Experiential. 

There’s no other way to make these transitions to newer ways of working, but to help people find their way.