Spark 9 – How to think more strategically: Triune Brains: Insights

There is a fascinating model of the human brain called the ‘triune brain’, which was proposed by American physician and neuroscientist Paul D MacLean. It postulates that our brain is a composite of three distinct brains developed through our evolutionary journey: the reptilian complex (base instincts), the limbic system (emotions) and the neocortex (rational thinking).

When you peer into the vast expanse of space, you’re not merely looking at stars and galaxies. You’re observing a realm that requires an intricate dance of logic, emotion and instinct to truly understand and appreciate – a dance that mirrors our brain’s functions.

Picture this: an organisation is much like a spaceship, venturing into the unknown, aiming for a distant star. The oldest part of our brain – the ‘reptilian brain’ – is the ship’s engine, driving forward, seeking sustenance and survival. It ensures that the ship avoids meteor showers and black holes by reacting swiftly to immediate threats.

Then, there’s the limbic system – the emotional centre – which is akin to the crew members aboard the ship. They bring the human element, the camaraderie and the spirit, ensuring that the journey is not just about survival, but also about experiencing joy, wonder and connection.

Lastly, the ship’s state-of-the-art navigation system represents the neocortex, processing vast amounts of data, planning the route and strategising for potential challenges. It’s this part that ponders the greater questions: Why are we heading to this star? What do we hope to achieve?

How to think more strategically: new way of strategic thinking

The description of the human brain I have just compared to space travel – the triune brain – while sometimes contested in the academic field, offers a profound perspective on human decision-making, pivotal for strategic thinkers.

I am a person who believes in more than logic and that we process things with more than just our brains, so this model appeals to me.

This thinking was further developed in recent years, with other academics conducting research into the body as a processing structure (i.e. illness and disease as expressions of emotions and trauma). Here, I am focusing on Paul D MacLean’s idea: ‘To understand the imbalances of our modern world, we must recognise the evolutionary imbalances of ourbrain.’

When one strategises, one must be conscious of which ‘brain’ is in the driver’s seat.

The reptilian brain seeks to meet our basic needs and keep us safe – is your thinking driven by these needs and is that appropriate?

The limbic system highlights the role of emotional intelligence and seeks to address things like the impact of morale on team performance. Are you shaping strategies with too much or not enough consideration of people in the mix?

Lastly, the neocortex represents the analytical and critical thinking essential for complex problem-solving and innovation. Are you overplaying this logical approach at the expense of other forms of thinking?

Are you acting out of primal instinct, emotional impulse or rational analysis? Often, the most effective strategies are formulated when we can harmoniously integrate all three, considering our base instincts, emotional intelligence and analytical prowess.

How to think more strategically: case study

In Melbourne, the nonprofit Beyond Our Streets embarked on an ambitious project. Their goal? Tackle homelessness by tapping into the very psyche of society. They turned to the triune brain model to develop their strategies, realising that to evoke change, they needed to resonate on instinctual, emotional and rational levels.

At the heart of their campaign was a series of powerful visuals. A reptilian brain responds to stark, clear, visual cues – the stuff of basic survival. So, they showcased images of dilapidated buildings juxtaposed with potential refurbished shelters. This viscerally conveyed the ‘threat’ of homelessness and the ‘safety’ of shelter.

Simultaneously, they launched emotionally charged storytelling sessions where the homeless shared their heart-wrenching journeys. These stories connected with the public at an emotional, limbic level, fostering empathy and humanising the faceless statistics of homelessness.

Lastly, with the neocortex – the rational brain – in mind, they developed workshops and published comprehensive literature on the societal cost of homelessness and the economic benefits of their proposed solutions.

By the year’s end, Beyond Our Streets had not only exceeded their fundraising target, but had also spurred local businesses and communities into action. They tapped into our primal, emotional and rational drives, crafting a strategy that was holistically human.