At the end of May 2024, we celebrated 10 years of Better Minds with an inspiring conference packed with inspiration and valuable connections! It is impossible to capture all the insights in one blog. Nevertheless, we would like to give you the top key take-aways to build (and keep) a future-proof organisation and the healthiest version of yourself. Below you will find the best from Best Minds! ‍

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Eliminate those outdated processes today

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During the joint keynote with Elke Geraerts, Peter Hinssen explained the concept of ‘creative destruction’. This implies that economic progress involves constantly breaking down old structures and building new ones. This is necessary for innovation and economic growth. While most companies are doing this, at the same time they forget to eliminate old processes: ‘yesterwork’, as Peter calls it.

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Any player that continues to reinvent itself will emerge as a ‘Phoenix’ company. Such a company is distinguished by its ability to rise from the ashes of their old structures and come back stronger. But that requires a culture of continuous innovation, adaptability and strategic vision.

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Decisive leadership is more than ever a must

In a world where constant change is happening at lightning speed, the BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) concept is burning hot. Elke Geraerts explained how this concept describes the current state of the world. And especially: its impact on our mental resilience. Leaders need to take the lead on this. Their attitude acts as a lever for the wellbeing of the entire organisation.

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In this context, it is useful to recognise the two forms of leadership: self-leadership and leadership to others, as Erik Franck described it.  Self-leadership is about managing your own energy (spiritual, emotional, physical and mental). It is about finding meaning in your actions, managing your physical and emotional wellbeing, and reflecting on your mental state. Leadership to others involves managing others' energy. To do so, you need to understand what gives or costs others energy, and how to facilitate their involvement in the organisation.

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A sense of belonging is already one of them. Furthermore, employees want to be able to learn and feel they are allowed to make mistakes. They also look for a way to contribute with their unique competences. And they want to be able to challenge others. If these four elements are present, you build a team where inclusion and psychological safety are the common threads.

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This is how to invest in mental resilience and focus

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Understanding these characteristics can help us navigate the complexity and uncertainty of modern life. By recognising the fragility and anxiety associated with rapid change, we can make incremental adjustments. Not to mention, those who are mentally resilient will also be better able to focus. Elke doesn't just say that focus is the new gold!

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How to go about this in concrete terms? That was also discussed in detail during the workshops on how our brain works and wellbeing. ‘First and foremost, realise that you are the conductor of your attention span,’ advised Aisha Cortoos. Because most of your attention is given away by yourself. Especially in an age where we work in a fragmented, hyper-focused and -connected way. Did you already know that our brain responds to 4G? That stands for pleasure, danger, group and habit. Both external and internal triggers play a role. Examine which ones have the biggest impact on you. Finally, being aware of this and avoiding autopilot is the first step.

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Knowing that your own thoughts are often the biggest distractor and how this mechanism works helps you take control. Where intention and attention overlap, focus is created! Therefore: focus as much as possible on one task at a time. Multitasking may also give some people a focus boost, like flashing a biro or pacing during a phone call. But this is not the same as switch-tasking, which in turn is a focus killer.

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Finally, try to approach your emotions as a valuable compass. Embrace their messy, chaotic nature. They are not a weakness, but valuable sources of information. Loneliness, stress, anxiety - these are all signals that something needs to change. Learn to recognise, understand and deal with these emotions. That way, you will prevent them from piling up and leading to less resilience, and more chronic diseases. Ready to join us in making it work for you, your team and your organisation? Contact us!