B5: Next Practices in Workforce Resilience: Strengthening Executive Functioning Through a Brain-Friendly Work Culture

To thrive in the demanding and often stressful field of human services, we must understand how brain function shapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. As Dr. Bruce Perry states, “A brain-aware perspective helps me when I’m trying to understand people.” When we integrate this perspective into our work and build brain-friendly environments, we can strengthen our executive functioning skills, which are the key to staying well while working in challenging environments and partnering with individuals with complex needs.

Everyone possesses executive functioning skills—the 12 brain-based skills that influence how we plan, respond, and accomplish tasks. By identifying our strengths and addressing our challenges, we enhance our ability to work efficiently, reduce frustration, and foster deeper trust, stronger relationships, and more productive conversations. Understanding how these skills develop—and how they are shaped by individual experiences, resources, and environments—allows us to shift from self-judgment and deficit-based thinking to greater self-compassion and empathy for others.

We can develop executive functioning skills most effectively in brain-friendly work environments—spaces that support cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and clear decision making. This interactive workshop will provide practical, science-backed strategies to promote psychological safety, self-regulation, and healthy expectations, which support employees’ ability to plan, adapt, and collaborate with greater ease. Join us to explore how a brain-science approach can support executive functioning and transform both personal well-being and organizational success.

Learning Objectives

• Strategies for creating brain-friendly workplace environments that support executive functioning skills
• Complete the executive skills questionnaire to identify personal strengths
• Learn strategies to leverage strengths and set meaningful, achievable goals
• Explore how reducing judgment and false deficit narratives enhances workplace relationships

Presenters

Karen Johnson
Senior Director, Change in Mind
Social Current

Dana Emanuel
Senior Director of Learning and Innovation
New Moms

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