What is an HMW?
Using a standardized note-taking system called "How Might We's" will help your team to think of solutions instead of focusing on the problems they want to solve. With this technique, you rephrase the problems in the form of a question, beginning with the words “How might we…?”.
One Brain, One Elephant, and One Rider?
There are a lot of theories about the brain and there is continuous learning and research about it.
My goal in this special post is to explain the “WHY” behind the HMW questions and what happens in the human brain when a problem is rephrased in a HMW question instead. So I will focus on two of them:
The “Triune Brain” theory of P.MacLean (1960s)
The Elephant and Rider metaphor from J.Haidt (“ The Happiness Hypothesis”, 2006)
In the video above I explain the above ones and how they build on each other.
In “The Happiness Hypothesis” book of J.Haidt, the metaphor 🐘Elephant and Rider is explained.
We have 2 decision-making systems: conscious (rider) and unconscious (elephant). We use our unconscious system most of the time to make decisions, after which our conscious mind makes up a rational explanation to justify the decision.
HMW’s and Our Brain
When we are focusing on the problems, on the negative things, our elephant from the brain is activated, the unconscious part, which operates with simple problems and sees any complex ones as threats.
In order to help our brain to activate the conscious part, the rider, and to be able to operate with complex problems but also be focused on positive aspects and possibilities/opportunities, we need emotional connection.
How do HMW’s create an emotional connection?
How - is a question - when scientists used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they found that questions that asked participants to disclose their opinions increased neural activity in the areas of the brain associated with reward and pleasure. Reward and pleasure are activating happiness neurotransmitters which are reducing stress and anxiety so the elephant becomes relaxed.
Might - suggests exploration of solutions of something you care about (emotional investment) that you are linking to a bright outcome that just arises.
We - suggest that we work together in a safe environment that is experimental and fail-safe (we are talking about potential solutions, not final fixed ones) while trusting our relationship.
One phrase summary:
HMW’s questions are helping to activate the prefrontal cortex of our brain, the conscious part, the rider in the above metaphor which is able to solve complex problems, focus on the positive aspects, and look into the future, at the same time open to change and flexible. The brain is prepared for the creativity flow and finding solutions now.
If you find this post interesting and you want more of this kind, I would be happy if you could write a comment and let me know what else you would be interested in.
Resources used:
Mindarhitect.ro Podcast
The NeuroMindfulness Institute - Neuromindfulness Training
Paul MacLean - Triune brain theory (1952)
J.Haidt (“ The Happiness Hypothesis”, 2006)
PCM and The Neuroscience of Stress- Magda Tabac Trainings
What happens in your brain when you read a HMW question instead of a problem?