Healthy Brain Chemistry Creates Equal Opportunity Business

Relating male-female relationship dynamics to productivity in the workplace may initially seem a stretch, even though we all know how motivation and morale are affect by how people get along in any environment. Dr. John Gray, of Mars Venus fame, puts it down to brain chemistry. Healthy brain chemistry leads to better relationship dynamics, which in turn leads to greater effectiveness and productivity. The thing is, the process is not automatic. However, once the dynamic is known, individuals or businesses can design in activities or systems to support the best of brain chemistry outcomes.

Dr. Gray’s studies led him to understand that in order to stimulate certain hormones, we need a combination of doing what we need for ourselves along with receiving input from others we work and relate with. In this day and age of potential for labeling something as sexist because it treats males and females differently, we must be clear that brain chemistry is equal opportunity. In a similar way, equal opps was taken to ridiculous extremes that lead to installing the same number of stalls in male and female restrooms. The reality is, anyone who has ever seen a line to the ladies room, let alone waited in one, knows that equality is NOT served by having the same number for each. The systems dynamics are different. Equality of opportunity is served by tending to the specific needs of the situation.

So it is with brain chemistry. Stay with me here. We will be unraveling the dance of four neurotransmitters, all of which exist in both genders :

• Dopamine- promotes energy, clarity and motivation
• Serotonin- gives comfort, contentment and optimism
• oxytocin – the hormone of love and caring; key for women
•  testosterone- the hormone of desire and will; key for men

 Women thrive on more oxytocin, which they tend to generate when acting in a nurturing fashion on behalf of themselves or their colleagues. Oxytocin levels generate feelings of love, care and bonding. So doing kind things for herself or others- whether getting a coffee, giving or receiving a compliment, coming up with new ideas that allow a sense of professional pride, or helping generate new cost-saving ideas in a collaborative creative environment-  will release oxytocin in her brain.  She gets a flood of oxytocin along with seratonin which causes the feel-good endorphin rush; and she glows, thrives, and acts to get more of this feeling. The cycle of productivity continues.

 On the other hand, when a woman has to do something highly competitive in a pressurized environment that raises her testosterone levels, this causes depletion of her oxycotin and serotonin. So while she may feel the thrill of her testosterone and dopamine rush while expressing her power, the aftermath feeling may leave her feeling unsupported and empty. If this feeling is not addressed in the long run either by opportunities for caring at work or at home, she will burn out. Knowing this is not a character flaw, but rather universal brain chemistry in operation, she or the workplace systems can make sure to balance out the hormonal levels if and when necessary. A strong woman does not need to be masculine.

Men, on the other hand, thrive when they can protect and serve, solve knotty problems and swoop in to save the day. This skyrockets their testosterone and dopamine, and makes for the familiar swagger of achievement. When males receive praise or positive feedback for these valiant actions, this releases their oxytocin, which causes them to feel more loving. Now they are doubly motivated to do more of the same again.  Think how often we females lambast this peacock routine of men hogging all the credit as pure ego. And think about their reaction when they are chided versus praised….now we can understand that dynamic. Who knew it was brain chemistry!

And males who are consistently not allowed to be game-savers suffer from lowered testosterone and dopamine, which can lead to disempowered,  ‘wimpy’, less productive males.  And who is happy with this situation? Unless the cycle is reversed by encouraging and allowing him to step up, whether at work, back at home or out with the guys, men suffer the opposite fate of females. Once again, knowing this dynamic can allow for appropriate counter-actions to be taken.

One side note of interest. Have you ever wondered why males tend to bond after fights or competitions while females tend to become lifelong enemies? Boys and men tend to fight to protect someone or serve a cause. This involvement stimulates testosterone and dopamine. So whatever the outcome, they are flooded with their feel-good hormones throughout the process.  Girls and women, on the other hand, see fighting and competition as the opposite of cooperation and collaboration. The rise in testosterone and dopamine while her oxytocin and serotonin levels drop leave her feeling tough and distinctly out of sorts. This disruption in her well-being is the impression she is left with, which may color her subsequent relationships with those involved.

So directors and sales managers take note about how you set up internal targets and competitions. You may get collateral results other than what you bargained for!

I know, even I have to overcome some of my inbred cynicism at encouraging both niceties in women- which do not have to be at the expense of substantial contributions- and praise for men which is connected to heroic or productive performance.  Frankly, in my view, much of the dynamic is basic human courtesy and good manners. But knowing what to expect and how to handle the gender specific actions and reactions based on brain chemistry does make for fewer dramas along with easier and more predictable planning. And, I daresay, more productive outcomes that spill over from personal well-being to the workplace and home environment. Equal opportunity productivity, where everybody wins!