Building an Antifragile Brain with Dr. Brynn Winegard

Turning Strife into Success:
5 Key Insights Using the MERIT Framework

An #NSBOriginal Article
By Dr. Brynn Winegard

You’re in for a Maelstrom of Challenges: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt plague the North American workforce as a result of the WFH pandemic isolation and volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous geopolitical and socioeconomic circumstances – all contributing to worker distress, disengagement, disorder, negative emotions, negative work experiences, unprecedented sick days, absenteeism, silent quitting, low morale, and a growing mental health epidemic (Gallup, 2024).

Meanwhile, You Must Deliver Growth & Profit Through it All: The coming marketscape is poised to create much bigger winners and losers than ever before. By all accounts we can expect a continuation of what we saw through the pandemic – “the rich will get richer, the poor will get poorer”.  You and your business will be asked to grow, innovate, deliver margin, and profit contribution amidst all of this – the labor shortages, AI disruption, economic downtown, runaway inflation, a recession, supply chain issues, trade wars, worker disengagement, a continuation of the great resignation, more disorder, disaster, and disease. 

People Need More Than a Pep-Talk: Workers need to be poised to do more with less, take on more and win, and thrive through continuous adversity. Pep talks, micromanagement, schedule flexibility, hybrid models, one-on-ones, and boxes of cookies don’t tackle the challenges of low worker engagement, fixed mindset, fragile thinking, and wavering mental wellness head-on: they merely bandaid some of the more obvious symptoms (e.g. loneliness, sadness, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and reported negative work experiences, Gallup 2024). Further, doing nothing, ignoring the problem, hoping things will magically get better isn’t a viable solution. The riskiest option is to do nothing, stand still, make no investments, not plan for an inevitable future. As Denis Waitley famously said “The real risk is doing nothing.”

Workers Need to be Taught, Not Told: Workers won’t take endless hits and still strive to succeed because they’re told to do it, they’ll strive to thrive when they are trained to do it. Specifically, trained in how to use their brains better and differently to foster an antifragile mindset – one that grows, develops, and flourishes through challenge, shocks, strife, and adversity. Many of the challenges workers express come from having had to manage themselves, alone, for too long. Self-management can work for outlier self-starters, but people need more external management, direction, guidance, support, tools, best-practice insights, and frameworks to follow as they proceed through their workdays, challenges, and projects. 

“Antifragility goes beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; but the antifragile gets better.”
–Nassim Nicholas Taleb, self-described professional risk-taker and author of ‘Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder’

Credit: Tatiana Barletta

Dr. Brynn’s (New!) Keynote, “Building an Antifragile Brain”

Based on her new book to launch Jan 7, 2025 entitled The Working Brain: Optimizing Your Workday Performance – Dr. Brynn teaches people how you should use your mind to ensure you and your brain aren’t just resilient, you’re antifragile: you don’t just stay the same through strife, challenge, and difficulty – you get better. Post-traumatic growth isn’t just as possible as post-traumatic stress, it is way more valuable to individuals and organizations. Properly trained and equipped, workers can decide whether strive, thrive, and flourish through adversity, or merely survive. So how can workers “eat coal and spit out diamonds”?

Dr. Brynn’s proprietary MERIT Framework for Peak Cognitive Performance – backed by research and based on brainscience – informs people how to move the needle beyond being fixed, fragile, growth-minded or even resilient (staying the same) in their thinking, toward becoming antifragile (getting better).

Here are some examples of simple, every day, low-tech things professionals can do to usher in their own antifragility and build a brain that is poised to succeed through strife – both at work and in life.

5 Key Takeaways from Dr. Brynn’s “Building an Antifragile Brain” Keynote

1. Do Hard(er) Things

“Hard things are hard” – President Obama

Do hard things, challenge yourself, and step outside your comfort zone regularly.

Brain Benefits: When we engage in challenging tasks, our brains are forced to adapt, learn, and grow. This process, which increases neuroplasticity, involves the strengthening of neural connections and the creation of new ones. The harder the task, the more the brain must work to solve problems and navigate obstacles, leading to enhanced cognitive function. Whether it’s learning a new skill, tackling a complex project, or simply choosing a more difficult path, these challenges stimulate brain activity, keeping our minds sharp and agile. Challenging tasks stimulate brain growth, neurogenesis (new neurons), new neural connections, network complexity, and strengthen neural connections: basically, your brain gets sharper, more capable, and more complex. Engaging in difficult activities pushes cognitive boundaries, fostering flexibility, adaptability, and antifragility.

Nassim Taleb’s concept of antifragility refers to systems that grow stronger under stress. Like your muscles, or the Incredible Hulk, the brain is one such system. When we expose ourselves to difficult situations, the brain adapts by becoming more resilient. This is akin to how muscles grow stronger when subjected to resistance. By regularly stepping into discomfort, we train our brains to handle stress better, leading to a more robust and flexible mental state. This antifragility is crucial in an ever-changing world where unexpected challenges are the norm.

Workday Benefits: The confidence gained from overcoming tough challenges spills over into everyday tasks, making them feel easier by comparison. This sense of accomplishment can boost motivation, increase focus, and enhance time management skills. Additionally, the problem-solving skills honed through difficult tasks can be applied to work, leading to more efficient and creative solutions. choosing to do hard(er) things is not just about building character; it’s about optimizing brain function, fostering resilience, and improving productivity. By embracing challenges, we not only enhance our neural pathways but also prepare our minds to thrive in the face of adversity, making us more effective in our personal and professional lives.

2. New Daily Practice: Microdose Failure on Purpose

Fail on purpose every day, face failure head-on, and learn how you fail.

Brain Benefits: The brain thrives on challenges. When we microdose failure, we expose ourselves to novel situations that require creative problem-solving. This stimulates neurogenesis, the process of forming new neurons, and strengthens neural pathways. Each small failure becomes an opportunity for the brain to learn, adapt, and improve. Over time, this practice enhances cognitive flexibility, allowing us to approach problems from multiple angles and find innovative solutions more efficiently. By microdosing failure, we train our brains to become more resilient in the face of setbacks. Small failures teach us to manage stress, adapt to change, and recover quickly. This practice builds mental toughness and reduces the impact of larger, more significant failures, as our brains become accustomed to bouncing back and learning from these experiences.

Workday Benefits: Embracing micro-failures can lead to greater productivity. When we intentionally push ourselves out of our comfort zones, we develop a tolerance for discomfort and uncertainty. This willingness to take risks can lead to breakthroughs in our work, as we become more comfortable experimenting and trying new approaches. Moreover, by normalizing failure, we reduce the fear that often holds us back from pursuing ambitious goals, enabling us to move forward with greater confidence and speed. Incorporating microdosing failure into your daily routine may seem counterintuitive, but the benefits are clear: improved neural functionality, increased brain antifragility, and enhanced productivity. By redefining failure as a tool for growth, we can unlock our full potential.

3. Don’t Do it Like Yesterday: New Day, New Way

Strive for continuous learning, growing, improving. Our brains thrive on novelty and challenge.

Brain Benefits: When we intentionally seek out new ways to approach tasks or learn something new, we stimulate neural plasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This ongoing adaptation strengthens cognitive function, improves memory, and enhances problem-solving skills. By refusing to do things “like yesterday,” we encourage our brains to remain agile and responsive. The brain, when exposed to continuous learning and new challenges, becomes more resilient. Just as muscles grow stronger with use, the brain builds its capacity to handle stress, uncertainty, and complexity when pushed out of its comfort zone. Striving for daily improvement and new learning opportunities helps create a brain that doesn’t just endure difficulties but thrives on them. Incorporating continuous improvement and learning into your daily routine transforms productivity. Instead of mindlessly repeating the same tasks, you begin to innovate and optimize your work processes. This not only leads to more efficient outcomes but also keeps you engaged and motivated. The energy derived from mastering new skills or refining old ones can translate into a more dynamic, fulfilling workday.

Workday Benefits: Trying new things activates the brain’s reward system, reinforcing learning, creativity, divergent thinking, and innovation because of something called “The Novelty Effect” – effectively, that the brain loves newness, novelty, and discovery. Tinkering with new tools or concepts nurtures problem-solving skills and creativity, while hands-on experience promotes synaptic plasticity, enhancing the brain’s capacity to form new neural pathways. Curiosity drives exploration and information-seeking behavior. It activates the hippocampus, crucial for memory formation, thereby improving knowledge retention, and cognitive function. This is why continuous education strengthens existing neural networks and creates new ones, improving overall cognitive abilities, which has benefits for you in all you do – at work and in life.

4. Risk-Free is Risky: Rules, Structure, Order are Overrated

Allow some randomness, take on small risks, and lean into change (it’s inevitable anyway).

Brain Benefits: You can’t hope for new outcomes by doing the same things over and over. Clinging to rigid structures and outdated rules can stifle growth and creativity, leading to stagnation in both personal and professional realms. Embracing change and allowing for a degree of chaos not only fuels innovation but also enhances neural functionality, brain antifragility, and overall workday productivity. When we expose ourselves to new experiences and challenges, we activate neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process is crucial for learning and memory, allowing us to adapt to new environments and tasks. Sticking to the same routines dulls this adaptability, leading to cognitive rigidity. By stepping outside our comfort zones and welcoming change, we keep our brains flexible, sharp, and ready to tackle new challenges.  Further, when we avoid risk and adhere strictly to established structures, we deprive our brains of the opportunity to grow resilient. Embracing uncertainty and navigating through change equips our minds to better handle future disruptions and change, making us not just resilient but antifragile.

Workday Benefits: In the workplace, rigid adherence to rules and structures can hinder productivity. When employees are allowed the freedom to experiment, fail, and learn from their mistakes, they become more engaged and innovative. Flexibility in work routines encourages a dynamic environment where continuous improvement becomes the norm. This adaptability not only fosters a more motivated workforce but also leads to higher productivity, as employees are empowered to find the most efficient ways to achieve their goals. In a rapidly evolving world, clinging to the safety of the familiar can be more dangerous than taking calculated risks. By recognizing that change is inevitable and necessary, we open ourselves up to new possibilities, both in our neural development and our professional lives. Taking calculated risks engages the brain’s reward pathways, promoting learning and motivation. It encourages a proactive approach to challenges, fostering resilience and confidence. Letting go of rigid structures in favor of flexibility and adaptability not only makes us more productive but also ensures that our brains remain agile and ready for whatever the future holds because some environmental unpredictability stimulates adaptive thinking and enhances problem-solving skills. Embracing change activates the brain’s adaptive capabilities, fostering resilience, which enhances your ability to manage uncertainty and thrive in dynamic environments.

5. You Take Care of the Means (Process) and Ends (Outcomes) Will Take Care of Themselves

Fall in love with the process and maintain a “loose grip” on the outcomes.

Brain Benefits: In the quest for success, it’s easy to become fixated on outcomes—whether it’s achieving a promotion, completing a project, or meeting a specific goal. However, research and experience suggest that by shifting our focus from the outcomes to the process, we can enhance neural functionality, foster brain antifragility, and boost workday productivity. When we concentrate on the process rather than the outcome, we engage in continuous learning and problem-solving, which stimulates the brain’s neuroplasticity. This active engagement strengthens neural connections, making our brains more adaptable and efficient. By embracing the process, we create an environment where our brains are regularly challenged, leading to improved cognitive function and enhanced creativity. We more readily accept the iterative nature of learning and development, where setbacks are viewed as opportunities for growth rather than failures. This mindset trains the brain to become more resilient, adapting and thriving under pressure. The brain becomes ‘antifragile,’ more capable of handling future challenges with increased robustness.

Workday Benefits: Productivity isn’t just about ticking off tasks; it’s about sustained focus and meaningful progress. By falling in love with the process, we reduce the cognitive load associated with worrying about outcomes. This mental shift allows us to remain fully present in our workday, improving concentration, and reducing chances of burnout. The reduced anxiety associated with outcomes frees up mental energy, which can be redirected towards creative and strategic tasks, ultimately leading to higher-quality work and greater overall productivity. By taking care of the means—focusing on the process—we create a fertile ground for outcomes to naturally take care of themselves. This approach not only enhances our brain’s functionality and resilience but also ensures that our workday is productive, fulfilling, and sustainable.

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By integrating these strategies into daily life, professionals can cultivate an antifragile brain, enhancing neuroplasticity, productivity, motivation, and overall performance. Embracing challenges and fostering continuous growth not only builds resilience into antifragility, but also unlocks the full potential of your amazing human brain.

-Dr. Brynn Winegard

About The Author
Dr. Brynn Winegard | Expert on Business Brain Science

More psychological safety means much happier, healthier, more motivated, higher performing workers – and who doesn’t want that for their workplace?!

Dr. Brynn speaks to the applied neuroscience of how professionals can feel more motivated, get more done, be happier at work, all while striking better balance for sustainable workplace wellbeing. Psychological safety at work is part of this: research shows that workers who feel more psychological safety in their work environments also typically demonstrate and score higher on metrics like creative thinking, expressed new ideas, innovation, productivity, output, satisfaction with their employer and employment context (so less turnover!) ,overall performance, workplace happiness, career satisfaction, and sustained motivation in their jobs.

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