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The Neuroscience of Collaboration: Understanding the SPACES Model with Hilary Scarlett
Manage episode 515843314 series 3367134
Your brain wants to help you collaborate, but its first job is survival—which means threat detection often wins over clear thinking. We dig into how to design teams and projects that quiet the alarm bells and unlock focus, trust, and creativity, using practical neuroscience you can apply today.
With Hilary Scarlett, author of Neuroscience for Organizational Change, we break down the SPACES model—self‑esteem, purpose, autonomy, certainty, equity, and social connection—and show how each lever measurably shifts performance. You’ll hear why clear boundaries act like a playground fence that invites exploration, how agendas reduce anxiety, and why recognition rewires attention toward progress. We talk interbrain synchronisation and why an in‑person kickoff can create faster agreement and deeper empathy, then show how to sustain that bond online with rituals, a shared purpose, and simple behaviours that build tribe.
Psychological safety takes centre stage: not being overly nice, but welcoming candid questions, surfacing mistakes early, and learning fast. Drawing from aviation’s transformation, we outline how language, norms, and reporting change outcomes. We also explore autonomy and co‑creation—the IKEA effect, choice under constraints, and how ownership keeps people going when work gets hard. For inclusive collaboration, we share practical steps to support neurodivergent colleagues with reflection time and asynchronous input so quieter insights aren’t lost.
Walk away with three actions you can use immediately: listen deeply when certainty is scarce, revive confidence by recalling past wins, and reduce stress with shared laughter or a simple team meal. If you’re leading through AI‑fuelled change, these human fundamentals are your edge. Subscribe, share with a colleague who runs cross‑functional teams, and leave a review with the SPACES lever you’ll try first.
How to contact Hilary Scarlett
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryscarlett/
Website: https://www.scarlettandgrey.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Neuroscience-Organizational-Change-Evidence-based-Practical-ebook/dp/B0DK822VW1
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Chapters
1. The Neuroscience of Collaboration: Understanding the SPACES Model with Hilary Scarlett (00:00:00)
2. Why Brains Shape Collaboration (00:01:34)
3. The Three Cs In An AI World (00:02:04)
4. Hilary’s Path From Lab To Workplace (00:03:19)
5. First Reactions To Project Invitations (00:05:11)
6. Threat State And Prefrontal Limits (00:07:09)
7. Kicking Off Teams With Connection (00:09:23)
8. The SPACES Model Overview (00:09:48)
9. Self‑Esteem And Purpose (00:10:28)
10. Autonomy And Certainty (00:11:12)
11. Equity And Social Connection (00:12:15)
12. Boundaries Create Safe Exploration (00:13:43)
13. Face To Face Or Virtual (00:17:09)
14. Interbrain Synchronisation Science (00:18:14)
15. Build Tribe: Name, Purpose, Rituals (00:19:56)
16. Lunch, Shared Plates, And Bonding (00:21:18)
17. Curiosity Over Certainty (00:22:55)
18. Micro‑Similarities And In‑Groups (00:24:19)
19. Psychological Safety, Not Niceness (00:24:59)
20. Lessons From Aviation (00:25:54)
21. Choice, Ownership, And The IKEA Effect (00:27:38)
22. Autonomy In Constraints (00:29:28)
23. Self‑Esteem Through Recognition (00:31:19)
24. Fairness, Transparency, And Voice (00:32:20)
25. Include Neurodivergent Think Time (00:33:48)
26. Three Practical Leader Actions (00:35:18)
27. Closing Thanks And Resources (00:36:47)
37 episodes
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