How Studying Change Makes Us Truly Brain-Smart – Reflecting on Málaga’25
Over the past few days, if you’ve been following my social media, you’ll have seen plenty of updates from Málaga’25, a three-day gathering where I brought together 25 thought leaders to explore and shape the future of change management.
Together, we developed new ideas, established the value of change management for senior leaders, and explored ways to build change capability across entire organisations.
Now, as I prepare to launch the next cohort of my Neuroscience for Change course, I find myself reflecting on how being brain-smart this recent event truly was — and why it left everyone who attended feeling so inspired.
Why Was Málaga’25 So Impactful?
To explain how impactful and brain-smart Málaga’25 has been, I want to draw a few connections to me Neuroscience for Change course. This course offers over 30 practical techniques for creating brain-smart environments that energise and inspire stakeholders.
Let’s look at how the event aligned with key neuroscience principles that promote learning, collaboration, and creativity.
1. We Addressed ‘Pain’ in the Brain
The brain often perceives new experiences as threats, especially when they disrupt the status quo. Change is often seen as a disruption which is why creating a psychologically safe environment is critical.
At Málaga’25, many of the attendees didn’t know each other beforehand. Asking a group of strangers to share personal insights and experiences can be risky, but it worked beautifully, because of the mutual respect and psychological safety in the room.
By pre-empting and addressing the potential pain in the brain, everyone felt heard, valued, and respected. That kind of environment reduces the brain’s threat response, allowing people to open up, contribute fully, and collaborate more deeply.
2. We Focused on the Power of Shared Purpose
When it comes to neuroscience and change, having a shared purpose among the team can help ideas to flow and a bond to be built. At Málaga’25, a clear common goal united us: to find new ways to help people cope and thrive with change at work.
This shared mission gave the event direction and energy. People were generous with their time, ideas, and effort, recognising that they were part of something meaningful. When everyone’s working toward the same outcome, collaboration flows naturally.
3. We Ensured We Were Boosting the Brain’s Pleasure Response
Boosting the brains pleasure response is another aspect that made this event so successful.
There was no hierarchy. Everybody felt that they could contribute, and their voices were heard. Also, laughter. Laughter has an amazing impact on the development of brain chemicals that make us feel good. And we certainly had that!
Thanks to Marlene Ive, who arranged two fantastic dinners, we had plenty of informal moments to connect, relax, and laugh. These social experiences gave everyone a massive brain boost — generating endorphins and deepening the sense of connection.
4. We Created Space for Insights
The brain releases dopamine, the motivation and reward chemical, when we experience new insights or “aha” moments. At Málaga’25, there were countless opportunities to showcase your own or build on others’ ideas and create new thinking together.
A huge thanks to Gill, whose expert facilitation kept our sessions focused and purposeful. She set clear boundaries and objectives, ensuring that our brain energy was used in the most effective way possible.
5. We Challenged the Status Quo
Our brains also thrive when given the chance to challenge assumptions. At the event, we created space for critical thinking which ensured we didn’t fall into the trap of simply agreeing with each other.
Constructive challenge was encouraged, helping us generate new insights and avoid groupthink. This kind of discussion supports both innovation and psychological safety.
6. We Valued Rest and Reflection
Just as our brains need stimulation, they also need rest and reflection. To move from one performance “peak” to the next, we must create “valleys”, moments of pause.
Again, Gill’s facilitation shone here. There were regular opportunities for:
- Individual reflection
- Quietly talking to the person next to you
- Thinking through what you have just heard
- Considering what you have just discovered
These moments allowed people to digest ideas, deepen understanding, and prepare their minds for the next insight which we were all grateful for.
More About Neuroscience from Capability for Change
It’s been an amazing time, and I look forward to sharing more of the insights of At Málaga’25. But it just reminds you if you know about neuroscience, you really can create the most impactful events and get the most out of people’s precious time by giving their brains, the conditions within which they can excel.
Find out more about my Neuroscience for Change course and book your place on the October or December Virtual Classroom course here.