Tame the Primitive Brain: 28 Ways in 28 Days to Manage the Most Impulsive Behaviors at Work

Praise for Tame the Primitive Brai "Who's in charge of you? It's not your rational mind, oh no—don't believe for a minute what it tells you. It's your primitive brain. So learn now in this book how to tame the lizard, and get smarter, have more impact and, what's more, have more fun." —MICHAEL BUNGAY STANIER , Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, the first Canadian Coach of the Year, Rhodes Scholar, and author of Do More Great Work "Bowden has done it! This book sets you on the path of understanding the why and how of human behavior. Its applications not only apply to the business world but also the larger environment of interpersonal relations. The 'golden nuggets' presented in each chapter are introduced in a thought-provoking and immediately usable manner. I will encourage others looking for this edge to read on." —DR. DEAN TRIPP, PhD , Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Queen's University; Awarded the Canadian Pain Society's Excellence in Interprofessional Education Award "Useful. Useful. Useful. This is neuroscience for the rest of us. Well researched, clear, and insightful, Tame the Primitive Brain is a toolbox of smart ideas that help foster you and me relating to one another effectively. Managers, leaders, and lay persons will find practical, easy-to-practice, clearly delivered information on every page." —JOHN KING , cofounder and senior partner of CultureSync and coauthor of Tribal Leadership "I really enjoyed this book—found it immediately accessible and readable and fun as well as genuinely informative and useful. As a physician and psychiatrist with 25 years' experience teaching communication skills to doctors and medical students, I would recommend this book to any professional who is keen to communicate more effectively." —DR. JULIAN BIRD, MD , Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Physicians and coauthor of The Medical Interview "I believe there is no greater source of joy and happiness in this life than having a simple and honest connection with another human being. In Tame the Primitive Brain , Mark Bowden captures the essence, and highlights the importance, of the human connection and brilliantly reveals how to best achieve it—both in and out of the workplace." —KINVARA BALFOUR , a leading authority on what's hot (and what's not) in the world of fashion, beauty and pop culture, culture-hawk and commentator of cool

Acknowledgments ix Preface xi Introduction 1 WEEK ONE YOU 9 Day One Shared Instincts 11 Day Two Snap Judgments 22 Day Three Default to the Negative 32 Day Four Best–Fit Thinking 40 Day Five Friend, Enemy, Sexual Partner, or Indifferent 49 Day Six Moods and Emotions 59 Day Seven The Spice of Life 73 WEEK TWO RELATIONSHIPS 85 Day Eight Relationships Are Dyadic 87 Day Nine Opposites Attract 95 Day Ten BFFs 105 Day Eleven Enemies 114 Day Twelve Indifference 125 Day Thirteen Moods Are Contagious 132 Day Fourteen The Four Stages of Relationship 141 WEEK THREE TRIBE 151 Day Fifteen We Are Tribal 153 Day Sixteen Tribal Nurture 161 Day Seventeen Hierarchy 168 Day Eighteen Tension 176 Day Nineteen Values 187 Day Twenty Diversity 196 Day Twenty–One Changing Tribes Is Expensive 206 WEEK FOUR NEW YOU 215 Day Twenty–Two Suspend Judgment 217 Day Twenty–Three Be Curious 225 Day Twenty–Four Open Your Heart 235 Day Twenty–Five Give 243 Day Twenty–Six Manage Your Disappointment 250 Day Twenty–Seven Values Trump Rules 257 Day Twenty–Eight Expand Your Tribe 267 Conclusion 275 Further Reading and Resources 278 About the Author 282 Index 283

MARK BOWDEN is a noted body language expert and creator of TRUTHPLANE™, a unique training model for anyone whose success depends upon communication that builds strong and trusting relationships. His techniques are used by top executives and organizational and political leaders around the globe, including CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and leaders of G8 powers. A sought-after keynote speaker and trainer, he delivers speeches and seminars worldwide on persuasive and influential verbal and nonverbal communication to stand out, win trust, and profit.