Ed. note: This article first appeared in an ILTA publication.
Of all the essential qualities that legal teams require, resilience might be at the top of the list. Rapidly transforming technology — including game-changers like GenAI — is disrupting workflows even as legal organizations try to manage the “tech debt” of outdated or legacy systems. Of course, that’s alongside a barrage of new data privacy regulations and ESG mandates.
Change is also coming from a business perspective. Clients are increasingly demanding value-based pricing and transparency, challenging the traditional billable-hours revenue model while creating new opportunities for innovative service offerings.
One thing is guaranteed: the only constant is change. To successfully navigate these stormy seas, law firms and corporate legal departments need highly resilient teams. Resilient teams perform better and recover more quickly when adverse events occur, and can adapt to change more readily.
Fortunately, an unlikely area – neuroscience – provides a powerful, evidence-based resource that legal teams can tap into. An understanding of neuroscience translates the science of how the brain and nervous system function into practical strategies that improve performance, resilience, and engagement. As a result, leaders and employees alike can develop strategies to stay focused under pressure, manage challenges with confidence, and improve overall team dynamics, providing a decisive competitive advantage in today’s modern workforce.
The Heart-Brain Connection
An understanding of some essential neuroscience principles starts – counterintuitively enough – with the heart.
Recent findings from the HeartMath Institute indicate that the heart contains approximately 40,000 neurons, functioning like a mini-brain (https://www.heartmath.org/resources/infographic/mysteries-of-the-heart/). When coherence is achieved between the heart and brain – often through intentional breathing techniques – they synchronize, resulting in heightened calm, mental clarity, and focused attention. You can think of coherence as similar to when all the instruments in a symphony orchestra are perfectly in tune and playing in perfect harmony.
When the heart and brain are out of sync, incoherence ensues. This state inhibits brain function and impairs performance — often manifesting as emotions such as frustration, irritation, impatience, or worry. Imagine a symphony orchestra where the instruments are out of tune.
While heart-brain coherence is valuable for individuals, the most compelling effects of coherence emerge in group environments when “inter-brain coherence” or neural synchrony occurs. Studies indicate that when coherence is cultivated collectively, the social atmosphere shifts dramatically — relieving tension and fostering meaningful alignment among participants. When teams are centered and in sync, they create a more coherent field environment and are less affected by others’ incoherence, as seen in a rowing team perfectly in sync.
Lock It In
So, what are some ways to achieve this coherence? As a practical tool, leaders can utilize the Heart Lock-In Technique, a trademarked technique developed by the HeartMath Institute.
This simple technique creates beneficial, sustained physiological changes, which are imperative for building a new baseline of resilience. It is about rewiring the foundation, because neurons that fire together, wire together. The result is that individuals operate from a new, more resilient baseline — and things that might once have triggered or stressed them do not have the same impact.
The Heart Lock-In Technique is easy to deploy:
Step 1: Focus your attention on the area of the heart. Imagine your breath is flowing in and out of your heart or chest area as you breathe a little slower and deeper than usual.
Step 2: Activate and sustain a regenerative feeling such as appreciation, care, or compassion.
Step 3: Radiate that renewing feeling to yourself and others.
For those who might cast a wary eye on the above, keep in mind that science supports the process. There is also a very real, business-related reason to embrace it. Consistent practice of the technique can help others become more coherent, benefiting the individual, the team, the organization, customers, and partners.
Of course, the Heart Lock-In Technique is not the only tool that legal professionals can use to harness neuroscience and create more resilient teams.
Throughout the workweek, create a No Meeting zone—block time for deep work and recovery. Also, consider ending the week with a five-minute celebration of wins. Focusing attention on the positive is a great way to create a state of brain coherence that optimizes performance.
Regular team check-ins can help reduce stress and create space for structured updates. During these meetings, make a deliberate effort to create a safe space — a brief haven from the stress that may be present elsewhere in the workday. Encourage open communication, show empathy, and ensure everyone feels heard and respected. Make a point of spending time talking about things that are not work-related.
These are just a few of the tools legal teams can draw on to harness neuroscience and build more resilient teams. By utilizing these practical tools, legal professionals can foster a happier, healthier, and more productive work environment, transforming workplace well-being into a competitive advantage that drives actual results.
Natalie Alesi is Global Senior Director of Customer Success at iManage.
The post The Neuroscience Of Resilient Team Building appeared first on Above the Law.