This morning I had an email from Charlie Fern, a White House Speech writer, with a link to scientists who extract images directly from the brain. My first reaction was to thank Charlie, for her thoughtfulness and for taking time out of her busy day to inform mine. My next reaction was to question this new brain analysis technology to see what specific tool it could offer my clients at the MITA International Brain Based Center. Do you look at dynamic new insights in your field, with an eye to benefiting today from discoveries?
To go to research with questions about practical applicability is the opposite of merely criticizing the work’s shortcomings. Instead it simply uses what appears valid in ways that visibly display the benefits of that research. This process moves you into new places of thought and action. Simply pose questions to the work that will allow it to grow your own competitive edge.
Smart Skill 4 – Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools
Here are a few questions I ask of research in any brain related areas that I deem to be valid and reliable:
How might this research impact life and work? In this case Japan’s Labs reconstruct images inside a person’s brain and display them on computer monitors. I’ll read on.
What is the main thread in the research that relates to life and work? This research showed changed brain activity such as blood flow as a key factor to view various images within the brain. This notion of changed mental activity is a concept used often when we consider choices people make for prosperity or poverty in any area. Am I finding a relevant hook here to hang new ideas for tools? Back to the reading.
How did the research help change or show growth? When participants looked at new images, their brains reconstructed new meanings and their mental images changes. Now I find myself wondering how much brainpower we gather by the icons and images we observe? That makes a difference to how we spend a day, and what we choose to display around us or seek out. What we see changes our minds! Onward…
How will this research help us to understand and use brain activity? The research suggests that in 10 years this research will enable us to read a person’s thoughts with some degree of accuracy. I find myself wondering how my own awareness can get a jump start on this discovery. 
What tool could be created from this discovery? Based on the importance of building awareness for what a human mind is thinking at any moment and what changes that thought, I created a brain training tool that fosters awareness of others around us. The object of this tool is to grow a higher TQ by knowing and being known. It will be useful for brain based certification we do for leaders and learners, to improve mental awareness of others at work.
Simply put, precise questions tend to lead to related inventions! What question could you toss at research in your field today, to create a tool that will improve your workplace?
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Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools
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on Dec 30th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I can see that asking good questions about practical applications make a lot of sense.
Robyn McMasters last blog post..Invitation for Christmas Tea
on Dec 30th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Thanks for stopping by to look at the possibilities with research, Robyn. What a great way forward for any person or workplace:-) Saves the energy of venting, and offers alternative solutions – which makes for a win-win:-)
on Dec 31st, 2008 at 9:04 am
How can modern society be made to appreciate and exploit the experience and wisdom of retired senior citizens?
rummusers last blog post..Happy New Year.
on Dec 31st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Not sure society can be made (or should be made) to do that, Ramana. Yet I am responsible to do my part in that direction, and have an exciting program starting up in the coming months – which we are so excited about. A part of me wishes it would start a movement — but I do it more because it’s the right thing to do as I see it:-) You?
Ellen Webers last blog post..Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools
on Dec 31st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for insights Ramana. Interesting! Yes, while I’m not sure we can or want to make modern society do that, what about each of us inspiring one older person to stay in the race to teach us more:-)? Thoughts?
on Jan 1st, 2009 at 7:42 am
Congratulations! This post was selected as one of the five best business blog posts of the week in my Three Star
Leadership Midweek Review of the Business Blogs.
http://blog.threestarleadership.com/2008/12/31/123108-midweek-look-at-the-business-blogs.aspx
Wally Bock
Wally Bocks last blog post..New Year’s Day 2009: looking forward and backward
on Jan 1st, 2009 at 9:04 am
Yes indeed. Any small beginning will do. As you already know, I keep getting feedback from my mentees about how valuable they find my inputs for their development. The local equivalent of a Chamber of Commerce as you call it, has taken the initiative to arrange for this process. Why can’t this be made popular?
Incidentally, since you do not have a contact box, please allow me to invite you through this comment box, to my blog http://rummuser.com/?p=727 and to leave a comment if you care to. I have given a link to your blog in the post. Thank you.
rummusers last blog post..Relationships -Schopenhauer’s Porcupines.
on Jan 1st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Well thanks Wally! What an honor to be given the privilege of interacting with your site Leadership Midweek Review of the Business Blogs at
http://blog.threestarleadership.com/2008/12/31/123108-midweek-look-at-the-business-blogs.aspx.
Happy New New Wally! Let’s expect wonderful adventures- based on the new things we’ll both learn in the coming year! Happy 2009!
on Jan 1st, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for the link Ramana, and also for the privilege of feedback that helps us all to think of the issues in new and different ways. The parts that count on both ends – will be the parts that change lives for the better! Bravo!
on Jan 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
[...] Over Life’s Ruts Smart skill 3 = Question with the Brain in Mind and Move Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools Smart skill 5 = Question Myths and Reboot Brainpower Smart skill 6 = Question to Refuel Finances [...]
on Jan 3rd, 2009 at 9:37 am
[...] Over Life’s Ruts Smart skill 3 = Question with the Brain in Mind and Move Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools Smart skill 5 = Question Myths and Reboot Brainpower Smart skill 6 = Question Ahead for Grandparent [...]
on Jan 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
[...] Over Life’s Ruts Smart skill 3 = Question with the Brain in Mind and Move Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools Smart skill 5 = Question Myths and Reboot Brainpower Smart skill 6 = Question Ahead for Grandparent [...]
on Jan 16th, 2009 at 9:17 am
[...] Over Life’s Ruts Smart skill 3 = Question with the Brain in Mind and Move Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools Smart skill 5 = Question Myths and Reboot Brainpower Smart skill 6 = Question Ahead for Grandparent [...]
on Jan 26th, 2009 at 8:28 am
[...] Over Life’s Ruts Smart skill 3 = Question with the Brain in Mind and Move Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools Smart skill 5 = Question Myths and Reboot Brainpower Smart skill 6 = Question Ahead for Grandparent [...]
on Aug 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
[...] Over Life’s Ruts Smart skill 3 = Question with the Brain in Mind and Move Smart skill 4 = Question Research to Create Cutting Edge Tools Smart skill 5 = Question Myths and Reboot Brainpower Smart skill 6 = Question Ahead for Grandparent [...]