In every moment of our lives, our brains are quietly shaping and reshaping themselves.
Every thought we have, every habit we form, every interaction we repeat, they all activate networks of neurons in the brain. Over time, these connections strengthen, forming our patterns of behaviour, responses, and even our sense of what feels “normal.”
Our brains reward familiar thought patterns, releasing neurochemicals that make them feel good, even when they’re unhelpful. Over time, we become hooked on our own biases. Addicted to a pattern of thought. Without awareness, we’re shaped by our environment. With it, we can gently rewire. That’s not manipulation, it’s liberation.
This ability of the brain to change itself through experience is called neuroplasticity. It means that we are never stuck; our brains are designed to adapt.
In some areas, like those related to memory and learning, we can even grow new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. These gentle, natural functions allow us to keep evolving, not just intellectually but emotionally, socially, and behaviourally.
"Unaware of our brain’s wiring, we’re shaped by others. Aware of it, we can shape ourselves."
Georgina Brown
An Awakening — Not a Fix
At BARDO, we don’t see neuroscience as a tool for fixing people or changing who they are.
We see it as a quiet invitation to awaken the brain — to understand how it responds to the world around us, and how we can shape that world in return.
Much of our behaviour is a product of our environment — shaped by culture, media, workplace norms, and everyday messages we don’t always realise we’re absorbing. When the brain is constantly exposed to pressure, fear, or exclusion, it adapts to survive. When it’s offered safety, novelty, reflection, and connection, it adapts to thrive.
The NIMM Difference
This is the foundation of our NeuroInclusive Maturity Model (NIMM), a developmental framework grounded in neuroscience that supports people and organisations to move from fixed patterns to more flourishing ones.
By understanding how the brain learns, remembers, reacts, and changes, the NIMM helps us create environments that are not only inclusive and evolving, but neurologically supportive for everyone.
No pressure. No judgment. Just knowledge, gentle rewiring, and the space to grow.
More Detail...
Neuroscience offers a fascinating and empowering lens for understanding equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI), personal growth, evolving leadership, and sustainability. Far from being about "changing who we are," it helps us comprehend the mechanisms of how our brains—and our bodies—work, guiding us to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits. This is not about blame or shame; it’s about liberation and growth, enabling individuals and organisations to move toward greater inclusion, equity, and sustainability.
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The Science of How We React to Change
At the heart of understanding human behaviour is the polyvagal theory, introduced by Dr. Stephen Porges. This theory explains how our autonomic nervous system—particularly the vagus nerve—regulates our responses to safety and threat. When faced with change, our default reactions often fall into the "fight, flight, or freeze" categories. These reactions can make addressing embedded biases and unhelpful thinking patterns feel emotionally and psychologically overwhelming.
In the context of EDI, this is critical. Our brains are wired to seek comfort in the familiar (the "in-group") and to perceive the unfamiliar (the "out-group") as a potential threat. This natural response isn't inherently bad, but when left unchecked, it can perpetuate stereotypes, exclusionary behaviours, and resistance to change.
By understanding how the nervous system operates, we can develop trauma-informed practices that create safe environments for learning and growth. Trauma, whether large "T" (e.g., significant life-altering events) or small "t" (e.g., microaggressions, systemic inequities), deeply impacts how individuals from minoritised groups navigate a world not designed for them. This understanding allows us to approach inclusion with empathy, recognising that reactions to change or perceived challenges often stem from deeply ingrained survival mechanisms.
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Breaking Free from Limiting Patterns
As Gabor Maté highlights in The Myth of Normal, many of our limiting beliefs and behaviours are rooted in experiences shaped by trauma, societal norms, and survival strategies. These patterns can make individuals feel as though they are "stuck" in ways of thinking or behaving that don’t serve them. Neuroscience, particularly the concept of neuroplasticity, shows us that we can rewire these patterns.
Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form and reorganise synaptic connections—proves that the brain is not static. With intentional practices, such as mindfulness, storytelling, and reflective exercises, we can create new pathways that support inclusivity, innovation, and connection. As Dr. Joe Dispenza explains in Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, the self is not fixed; it is shaped by repeated habits of thought and behaviour. By interrupting these cycles, individuals can move toward a more agile, growth-oriented mindset that benefits not only themselves but also their workplaces and communities.
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Empathy, Connection, and the Role of Mirror Neurons
Inclusion is deeply tied to our ability to connect with others. Mirror neurons—the brain cells responsible for empathy—activate when we witness someone else's experience, allowing us to "feel" their emotions. Exercises like storytelling, role-playing, and collaborative problem-solving activate these neurons, fostering connection and understanding.
Dr. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability (Daring Greatly and Atlas of the Heart) underscores the importance of shared stories in breaking down barriers and building trust. When people feel safe to share their experiences, it creates opportunities for "brain wave synchronisation"—a phenomenon where neural activity aligns during meaningful conversations. This synchronisation deepens relationships, aids performance, and accelerates personal and collective growth.
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From Awareness to Action: Rewiring for Inclusion
Trauma-informed pedagogy and neuroscience-based tools like pause-and-pivot techniques, habit loops (cue, routine, reward), and vagal toning exercises (e.g., breathing techniques, movement, and mindfulness) empower individuals to manage their biases and build inclusive habits. These practices help people recognise that biases are not "who they are" but learned patterns that can be reshaped.
For example:
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Pause and Pivot: Encourages individuals to pause when they notice a biased thought and pivot toward curiosity or compassion.
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Micro-behaviours: Small, consistent actions, like amplifying underrepresented voices in meetings, can create significant cultural shifts over time.
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Allyship Practices: Moving from passive support to active advocacy through empathy and proactive inclusion.
These tools not only enhance individual well-being but also contribute to inclusive workplace cultures, fostering innovation and collaboration.
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EDI, Sustainability, and the Bigger Picture
EDI and sustainability are deeply interconnected. Both require us to break free from outdated, binary ways of thinking and embrace interconnectedness. Caroline Criado Perez’s Invisible Women highlights how systemic biases impact everything from healthcare to urban planning, often to the detriment of women and marginalized groups. By addressing these inequities, we can design systems that are fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable.
Organizations that prioritise EDI and sustainability are better equipped to tackle global challenges like climate change, resource inequity, and food security. Neuroscience helps bridge the gap by fostering empathy, collaboration, and long-term thinking—essential qualities for creating a sustainable future.
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A Shared Vision of Inclusion and Sustainability
When we integrate neuroscience into EDI and sustainability, we create opportunities for growth, connection, and positive impact. This work is not about "fixing" people or assigning blame but about empowering individuals to embrace new ways of thinking and being—ways that benefit themselves, their workplaces, and society at large.
By understanding how our brains and nervous systems function, we can navigate change with empathy, build inclusive cultures, and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges together. Let’s shape a future where inclusion and sustainability aren’t ideals—they’re habits of mind and action.
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A Reading List for Growth
To deepen your understanding of these concepts, explore the following:
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The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté
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Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
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Daring Greatly and Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
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Think Again by Adam Grant
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Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
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Evolve Your Brain by Dr. Joe Dispenza
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The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (trauma and its impact on behavior)
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Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute (challenging limiting beliefs in leadership)
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Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath (change management strategies)
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The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (habit formation and change)
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Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (indigenous wisdom and sustainability)
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The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (sustainability and climate action)
