What are Neurons & Networks?

Neurons serve as a medium of communication (facilitated by synapses) within the human system and brain by processing signals physiologically and electrochemically. In other words, neurons are considered as building blocks of the nervous system. Networks can be considered analogous to the processes and lateral links established by the neurons and synapses with other parts of the body and nerve cells to coordinate physical muscular movements, cognitive abilities, heart beats/rhythms, learning, etc. thereby facilitating a synchronistic physiological and psychological functioning of the human body.

What are Metaphors?

Metaphors have their own charm. Academic scholars, practitioners, poets, literature specialists and others have used metaphors in their own way to exemplify ideas, thoughts, models and like. The metaphor of gardening was used to illustrate effective management by Stephen R. Axley in his well-written article How Does Your Garden Grow? An excerpt of this article can be found at https://www.questia.com/magazine/1P3-222373901/how-does-your-garden-grow . I read this article as a part of my school curriculum (graduated Fall 2016) and we were required to explicate U.S. organization/workforce metaphorically. I could relate today’s 21st century organization and workforce to neuronal networks due to my passion toward neuroscience, especially neuroplasticity.

Human brain consists of more than one hundred billion neurons, interconnected with each other through synapses. 

Today’s U.S. (and global) organizations can be considered analogous to the nervous systems and the workforce members to neurons – building blocks of organizations.

• Each member in the organization uses his/her cognitive abilities and brain capacities to achieve individual and organizational goals.
• While functioning toward attainment of goals/objectives, the neurons not only interact with the rest of the body system within an individual but high-level interconnection occurs among neurons of the workforce members thereby establishing higher order synapse and interconnections to establish networks, processes and links within any given department/division/organization.
• Above-mentioned networks recreate the team and group dynamics within the organization not only domestically but internationally considering the number of mergers and acquisitions global companies are doing.
• These workforce neuronal networks work in an engaging manner if communication flows properly within the organization. Any disruption in this flow, disrupts certain network connections and synapses leading to organizational paralysis in achieving goals/objectives. This paralysis can be considered analogous to Alzheimer or Parkinson or other nervous disorders where certain parts of the body/brain fail to function systematically thereby impacting the whole nervous system or body system.

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity can be considered analogous to those global organizations that are referred to as learning organizations. The brain’s plasticity nature can be attributed to the fact that the neurons and synapses keep reorganizing themselves throughout the human life span thereby forming new neural connections throughout life. Learning organizations that emphasize more toward learning and development tend to keep reorganizing their current learning curve to be in sync with the technology, global and/or other business advances. The neuroplasticity concept not only helps each member of the workforce to expand his/her knowledge and learning (provided the person is motivated to learn) but also new neural pathways are established through new interconnections and knowledge-sharing with other members or new members of the workforce.

What Metaphor would you use to describe today’s global organizations and workforce?

Feel free to share your insights and let us together create an enriched mutual learning platform. Thank You!