Dopamine, Engagement, and Modern Challenges

Dopamine is one of the most important chemicals in the body, playing a role in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, and movement. However, the modern world is challenging for dopamine levels because of the way our environment and habits overstimulate the brain's 'reward center' while also reducing opportunities for deep, sustained satisfaction.

We sit down with Scott Byrd, Co-Founder of Pathways Global, for a discussion about how brain chemistry affects workplace performance, exploring the role of dopamine in motivation, the importance of understanding your brain's patterns to calm your nervous system, and how to improve workplace interactions, especially when giving feedback.

We also discuss ways to increase dopamine, and explore the impact of ADHD on performance.

Key moments: 

• The effect of blue light on dopamine levels
• Why being ‘up, light, and direct’ is key for workplace interactions
• The importance of orienting yourself around the ways your brain works
• Strategies for helping employees stay engaged in this dopamine-addicted environment and society
• ADHD and modern work challenges
• Why how-tos and checklists are less useful than a simple commitment to conversation and learning

Key links:

• Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/
• Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw
• Bamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/
• Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-byrd-4a2081a/