Educational articles

Photo by Alina Kulbokienė

How do you make decisions - considering the context and functionality or relying on stereotypes?

We tend to act according to automatic scripts that have been successful in the past, without taking into account the changed circumstances and the new context, which requires different actions for functionality. Standardised processes are functional when we aim to repeat the same action multiple times quickly and clearly. But if we want a customised process, applying the principles of a standardised process will no longer be functional. Every time circumstances change, it is worth pausing to assess the new context.

Neuroscientists* claim that the human brain can operate in two ways: in automatic mode (also known as the default mode network) or in a direct experience mode (referred to as the direct experience network). Automatic mode reproduces old images and is based on patterns and repetition: we learn certain ways of doing things and repeat them automatically - this saves energy and speeds up processes. However, it also blocks any new developments. Experiential mode, on the other hand, forms new images, consumes a lot of energy and requires the ability to shift attention. This way of working allows you to listen to your body, its states and signals, to feel your environment. By becoming aware of these sensations, we can discover unexpected ideas and possibilities.

If a person lives in a routine for a long time and acts only automatically, life begins to seem dull and monotonous, and their activities no longer yield the desired results. Usually, there’s an underlying stereotype that does not match the changes in the environment.

Stereotypes, in principle, are not bad. They are necessary for us to function more quickly. Stereotypes become an obstacle when they start to limit our choices and growth. This is when it becomes essential to "switch" to an experiential mode: by acting in this way, we can feel the joy of life, the aesthetic pleasure, the inspiration that encourage us to create, develop and grow.

Excerpt from Rasa Baltė Balčiūnienė's Leadership training program