How the hidden drives and motivations of the Trimotive Braindetermine our behaviour at work -- and what we can do about it. Unless we are in physical danger few of us think we are living 'under threat'. Yet our brains believe we are at risk many times a day. Nowhere is this more true than at work, where our response to deadlines, budget cuts, abrasive managers, competitive colleagues and dissatisfied customers is too often controlled by a part of our brain that's better suited to detecting, devouring or running away from predators. This is our threat brain, and on its own it is little help in dealing with the complex challenges of organisational life. In Beyond Threat, business psychologist and international leadership and organisational change consultant Dr. Nelisha Wickremasinghe takes us beyond the threat brain and describes the workings of our evolved Trimotive Brain which can respond with intelligence and compassion to unwanted, unexpected and unpleasant life experiences - if we learn how to manage it. This book is an invitation to: Discover how our biological heritage (nature) and individual experience (nurture) combine to create who we are - and why that matters in organisational life. Learn to notice and re-direct the hidden motives that control most of our behaviour - especially those arising from our threat brain. Find out, in three detailed case studies, how executives working in different corporate environments identified and overcame the problem habits arising from their overactive threat brain. Beyond Threat is written for people leading and changing organisations. It offers a radical new understanding and awareness of the limitations we bring to work with us every day - and the possibility of transforming our experience and capabilities.

About the Author
Dr Nelisha Wickremasinghe is a psychologist, entrepreneur, educator and international leadership/organisational change consultant who has worked in the field of human development for 25 years. She has postgraduate degrees in psychology and family therapy, a Master's in public sector management and a Master's and Doctorate in organisational change. Her work at the boundary of psychotherapeutic practice and management development has taken her across the globe to support organisations like Fujitsu, Thomas Cook, Amec Foster Wheeler, Nielsen, Lloyds Banking Group, Aviva and BT to develop their leaders and implement complex change. She also developed and ran a successful organic food business and restaurant and, for ten years, was clinical and management lead in mental health and social care services. Dr Wickremasinghe works internationally with large corporates teaching and consulting on healthy growth. She is a senior client director at Sa d Business School, Oxford University, an adjunct at Ashridge Hult International business school and managing director of The Dialogue Space, which provides unconventional, whole-person facilitation and coaching for individuals, groups and organisations. Her professional practice combines brain science and developmental psychology to develop individual, team and system resilience. The concepts and applications in this book have grown out of her personal experience, professional practice and doctoral research and draw on many conversations with groups and individuals working in diverse organisational contexts.

Reviews
At work and home, we believe we are reasonable, 21st century adults. But this highly readable and relevant book has opened my eyes and deepened my understanding of a parallel reality. Our nervous system and vital parts of our brain tell us it's a jungle out there and we are under threat. If we can recognize, understand and manage these embodied 'messages', the implications for ourselves, our families and friends as well as the organizations we work in - are simply enormous. Jim Cookson, Director Client Solutions, Ashridge/Hult International Business School Regulating our motivational system by paying more attention to and nurturing our safe brain is, I believe, at the cutting edge of leadership learning and practice. I have run leadership development programmes based on Dr Wickremasinghe's work for over four years, deeply immersing our leaders and managers in these practices. Participants have been inspired and energised to lead more courageously and act as catalysts for change within organisations. It is very timely to see this work appearing in print. This is a powerful opportunity to reach a much broader audience of executives and L&D practitioners, enabling them to rethink how they develop and compete for the top talent of the future. Tom Jones, VP, Rolls-Royce I believe that trust is at the heart of great leadership, and to understand what is really driving our behaviour is fundamental to creating the environment where excellent teamwork and transformation can take place. Over the last five years I have worked with Dr Wickremasinghe, developing our high potential future leaders to embrace the challenge of leading global teams within a complex business. I am delighted that her insights into the emotional brain and impact on leadership style will now reach a wider audience through this book. Christoph Debus, Chief Airlines Officer, Thomas Cook Group Dr Wickremasinghe's translation of the neuroscience of motivation through the Trimotive Brain concept has resonated with Fujitsu's global leaders and helped develop a deeper understanding of our behaviours and relationships at work. In the leadership development programmes we have run, high achieving participants from around the world quickly recognise their own Threat-Drive brain loops and appreciate the importance of managing their inner critic and developing self-compassion as they expand their capabilities and aspirations. When I look around the room and see leaders from very diverse cultures nod in agreement and appear genuinely touched by the clarity and warmth of these ideas and practices, I am convinced that this kind of learning and understanding is fundamental in helping organisations to unlock the potential of their people. Ian Parkes, VP, Global Talent & Leadership Development, Fujitsu In this beautifully written and humane book, we learn how we become the stories we tell about ourselves and how, by re-authoring our sense of self, we can address our demons and lead more fulfilling lives. Jules Goddard, Fellow, London Business School Take your time while reading this book. It brings discoveries about human nature that need to sink in. More importantly, it gives you hope, courage and curiosity to embark on a journey of compassionate self-discovery. The Trimotive Brain is like a three-headed fantastic beast whose heads need to agree on the direction and then the beast can fly!" Mike Houghton, Programme Director, Amec Foster Wheeler



Book Information
ISBN 9781911193340
Author Nelisha Wickremasinghe
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Triarchy Press
Publisher Triarchy Press