The Renaissance in Understanding of Emotions

I have recently learned that my previous understanding of the brain is incorrect. I used to refer to a “reptile brain” and a “three-brain system” that I found straightforward and enjoyable to explain. However, through more research, I have since discovered that this simplified explanation is inaccurate.

According to research by Lisa Feldman Barrett and others, the theory that our brain has a primitive reptilian part that takes over and causes an amygdala hijack is not accurate. It has been found that the amygdala does not always activate during stressful situations and the idea of a “hijack” has been largely discredited. Furthermore, our emotions are not forced upon us by underdeveloped areas of the brain.

We create our emotions ourselves. Our thoughts and emotions are interconnected processes. The ingredients of our emotions are vast and they do not happen to us. Emotions are made up of various components, including the physical sensations we experience, the situation we’re in, the people around us, our personal (past) experiences, and the language we use to describe our feelings. This is actually great news as it means that we have a greater degree of control than we realize.

When we think, we are often influenced by old neural networks in our brains. Therefore, it's important to be mindful and not blindly trust everything we think or feel.

The neural networks in your brain are similar to cross-country ski tracks. Your brain prefers to use the tracks that allow for faster movement because it is efficient and saves energy. If you step outside of those tracks it’s like skiing in fresh snow – it requires more effort, feels awkward, and is a struggle. If we don’t consciously pause, pay attention, and make a deliberate effort to choose the more challenging path, our brains will stay stuck in the old neural networks. This can keep us stuck in current patterns, regardless of whether they are productive or beneficial. Most importantly, it means we are not consciously choosing our way forward.

As Feldman-Barrett has found, our emotions are guesses. The brain makes predictions and maps the current sensations to past experiences to explain the cause. Our emotions come from the predictions the brain makes using past experiences as a reference point in trying to understand our current experiences. Therefore, emotions are primarily constructed by the brain to give meaning to our current experiences.

According to recent neuroscience research, our attention directs the firing of neurons and the development of new connections in the brain. Meaning our past experiences and thoughts shape neural patterns that influence how we interpret present experiences. It also means that our attention has a lot of power.

Let's say that during a conversation with my colleague and boss, my colleague thanks our boss after receiving congratulations on a successful project.

Constantly my brain starts making connections with similar past experiences, causing a rush of sensations such as my head feeling on fire and my blood feeling electrified. Under my conscious thought, I try to understand the cause of these sensations and realize that it was similar to when people steal my ideas or belongings. Suddenly my brain is trying to predict what will happen next to keep my energy in balance and keep me safe – “This person is stealing my ideas. I need to defend myself.” In an instant my brain is making up stories about how evil and selfish my colleague is.

Luckily the same practices we, at Precipice, have always spoken about in teaching leadership development still apply – mindfulness and emotional granularity.

Leaders can be aware that it is important to improve our ability to understand and reflect on our emotional patterns by enhancing our emotional vocabulary. Studies have shown that having emotional granularity, or the ability to distinguish between more nuanced emotions, can lead to better long-term health, fewer doctor visits, less hospitalization, and improved social and emotional functioning. In this practice, you attempt to break down the components of your emotions, particularly the physical sensations you are experiencing. For example, a rapid heartbeat does not always indicate that your mind has identified a danger or that something alarming is happening. It’s possible that your heart is racing because you’re thrilled, or because you’re hungry or have had too much caffeine. One moment is like a snowflake – a unique mix of emotions that may never come together again. The practice here is to observe all that is happening in any given moment to begin to discern, and this will support you to respond more flexibly.

As Feldman-Barrett says, we can learn to be "architects of our own experience."

We can be agents in choosing where we put our attention and how we respond to our emotions.

At Precipice Development, our programs are built on the latest, peer-reviewed research. If your consultant is still educating you on the concept of the Reptile-brain, it might be an opportune moment to consider a change in approach.

Navigate the skies at your own altitude,
with Jess & Kerri

Kerri, Co-Founder & Strategic Lead at Precipice (she/her)

As Co-Founder and Strategic Leader of Precipice, Kerri drives innovation and growth. With an MBA and Certified Coach designation, she brings a strong academic foundation. Her forward-thinking vision has been instrumental in integrating design thinking into Precipice’s unique approach. Her career spans from precision machining to diverse sectors like Oil & Gas leadership and community health at Community Natural Foods and Alberta Health Services in both front line and corporate leadership roles. Noteworthy roles include leadership in medical equipment planning for facilities like Calgary’s Bridgeland Riverside Continuing Care and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Kerri’s versatility shines in collaborations with Precipice’s clients, from facilitating change management to creative strategic planning. A dedicated learner, her adventurous spirit extends to creative hobbies.

Jess, Co-Founder and Creative Experience Designer at Precipice (she/her)

Jess excels in crafting unique client experiences, collaborating with Kerri to develop transformative programs for leading organizations. Since 2019, Precipice has led diverse leadership initiatives, from steering leaders through acquisitions to creating year-long development experiences for departments in Alberta Health Services. Jess proudly created the Conflict Agility program and swiftly tackled pandemic challenges with the “Cultivating Resilience” webinar series. Precipice has also proudly collaborated with the University of Alberta on two multi-day leadership development programs and initiatives on creating a culture of care. Jess’s background in acting and theatre adds a unique touch to her work, leading to innovations like the Conflict Lab—a blend of theatrical practice and conflict resolution that has benefitted many clients, including a pilot with J5 Design. Jess’s passion extends beyond work; from previously being a yoga instructor to a Spinning and F45 enthusiast, she even started out as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator in her varied career!

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Testimonials

I cannot say enough about the people behind Precipice Development and the work they do. I have worked with Jess and Kerri to co-design two comprehensive leadership programs at the University of Alberta. The content they bring forward is thoughtful, context-aware and well researched; their facilitation, authentic and engaging yet humble. Jess and Kerri live the practices they teach and it shows. It has been such a pleasure to work with and learn from them.

Our organization was grateful for Jess & Kerri's ability to hold space for challenging and brave conversations - it really set us up for success for the next year and I'm excited to see how we can continue to engage them in this work.

“Jess & Kerri, thank you so much for taking the time to help me with my mindset and perspective on my peers. Your techniques started working within the first 10 minutes. Amazing! The meetings became productive and stress-free.”

"The work you do makes a difference not only in the productivity of employees but in the lives of individuals. There are many challenges around us but if we remain curious and open, we can see them as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding. Your energy, thoughtfulness, and amazing ability to stimulate others to ‘see’ is so valuable in this journey. Keep up the great work – although you may not see it, even if it changes one parent’s spirit when they come home to their spouse and children, just imagine what a difference that can make."

“I wanted to thank you for a very fun and interesting day yesterday at the course… I learned some things about myself. You were very entertaining in your delivery and made the day whiz by.”

“I just wanted to thank you sincerely for the coaching course. I thoroughly enjoyed this session as it was highly relatable to my future endeavors.”

“You are such a great coach and bring the best out of people. Working with you has been a great growth opportunity for me!”

In our Relationship Coaching sessions with Jess we feel like we enter a bright room, and everything hard, confusing and painful gets lit up in a higher way, bringing immediate clarity and lasting compassion, for ourselves and each other. She has a gift for asking potent questions that unravel inner wisdom. She is loaded up with tools to share, many of which have completely changed how we handle conflict, bringing us out of exhausting blame & shame cycles, into elevated conversations rich with vulnerable sharing and compassionate listening, that lead to lasting positive change. Investing in Jess as your coach is an investment in the joy, health and peace of your relationship, and therefore your entire life. If it's not already abundantly clear, we could not recommend her highly enough. Thank you Jess!

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