Masters in Sales
We have just completed an energetic week in Chennai, where we…
Why conversations fail: these are the 3 invisible mistakes
You never translate your inner thoughts one-on-one into words. This is why three typical errors creep into conversations: omissions, distortions, and generalizations. These are the root cause of most misunderstandings. In this Short, you will learn how to recognize and resolve them by simply becoming more specific and/or asking follow-up questions. #communication #conflict #softskills
Focus your communication solely on what you have under your own control
As communicators, we often want to persuade others; we would like them to behave differently or communicate differently. But you can forget about that. You only have control over your own behavior, your own feelings, and your own thoughts…
Chunking as a means to understand each other better
In this episode, we dive into the principle of chunking: a communication technique that demonstrates how we assign meaning by framing matters more broadly, more specifically, or differently. A chunk is simply the concept someone brings to the table in a conversation – a term, a desire, a value, or an idea. But what that […]
The Drama Triangle
In this episode, we examine the drama triangle, a powerful psychological model developed by Stephen Karpman in the 1960s within Transactional Analysis. The model illustrates how people in conversations and conflicts often—unconsciously—step into fixed roles: Victim, Persecutor, or Rescuer. These three roles reinforce each other and sustain the dynamic. The Victim feels powerless, evades responsibility, […]
BrainTrain joins 1% for the Planet: because connection is about more than just people
At BrainTrain, it’s all about strong connections: between colleagues, within teams, between people who sometimes fundamentally disagree. We believe that real change begins with the quality of our relationships. But for us, connection goes beyond the workplace. That’s why we are proud to announce that BrainTrain is now officially joining 1% for the Planet. This […]
PODCAST Is empathy disappearing? And is it truly important?
Empathy seems to be in freefall: according to research from the University of Michigan, empathetic capacity among young people has declined by no less than 40% over the past twenty years. But what does that actually mean? In this episode, Ils and Bart delve deeper into empathy as a mental skill—not as an emotion, but […]
Podcast with Bart and Herman Konings on different generations in the workplace
From Baby Boomers to Generation Z: on many shop floors, four generations work side by side. This creates richness, but also friction. In this episode, Bart speaks with Herman Konings, trend analyst and author, about the deeper dynamics behind generational differences. Herman demonstrates how demographics, upbringing, and social events shape each generation differently — and […]
BrainTrain now also has two certified Mediators in Social Affairs (labor relations) in-house.
From now on, you can also turn to us for mediation between individuals or parties in the workplace. Because where there is no wind, there is no movement… Below, we provide a few tips for when you identify conflicts in the workplace: # Stay away from positions and stances Help people articulate their underlying interests […]
How to achieve true transgenerational collaboration?!
Today, 21% of the labor market already consists of (the oldest members of) Generation Z. Meanwhile, the oldest working generation, the Baby Boomers, is exiting in waves. This has significant consequences, as the different generations in the workplace each view work and life in their own unique way. These differences create friction. Managers—who often belong […]