What if the key to building better teams and products is hidden in our brain chemistry? In this episode, Brad Nelson joins us to break down the neuroscience behind motivation, happiness, and productivity—especially for Agile teams. From dopamine and serotonin to stress hormones like cortisol, we explore how brain science can inform leadership, team culture, and workplace habits. Plus, we connect these insights to practical Agile practices like pair programming, retrospectives, and sustainable velocity.

Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.

• The four key brain chemicals that drive motivation and happiness

• Why a lack of control is the most stressful thing at work

• The neuroscience behind agile practices

• How to use gratitude, movement, and breaks to boost productivity

• The connection between stress, cortisol, and sustainable team performance

• Practical ways leaders can create high-performing, engaged teams

• The surprising link between happiness, mastery, and continuous learning

• Dan Pink's work on autonomy, mastery, and purpose - https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation?podconvergence

• DC and Ryan - https://www.apa.org/members/content/intrinsic-motivation?podconvergence

• Shawn Achor - https://www.shawnachor.com/?podconvergence

• Positive Psychology - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/positive-psychology?podconvergence

• Upward Spiral by Dr Alex Korb - https://www.amazon.com/Upward-Spiral-Neuroscience-Reverse-Depression/dp/1626251207?podconvergence

• Hawthorne studies - https://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/hawthorne/01.html?podconvergence

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs?podconvergence

• Meik Wiking and the Happiness Research Institute - https://www.happinessresearchinstitute.com/experts/meik-wiking?podconvergence

• HarvardX: Managing Happiness: https://www.edx.org/learn/happiness/harvard-university-managing-happiness?podconvergence

• Book: The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins: https://www.amazon.com/High-Habit-Take-Control-Simple/dp/1401962122?podconvergence

• TED talk on The brain-changing benefits of exercise by Wendy Suzuki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHY0FxzoKZE?podconvergence

• Book: The infinite game by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Game-Simon-Sinek/dp/073521350X?podconvergence

• Peter Senge's "Learning Organization" - https://infed.org/mobi/peter-senge-and-the-learning-organization/?podconvergence

• Brad's favorite product: Nvidia Shield for streaming content: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/shield-tv-pro/?podconvergence

• Brad's podcast Agile for Agilists: https://www.agileforagilists.com/?podconvergence

• Brad's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradgile/?podconvergence

• Places to get started on finding a therapist:

• Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/?podconvergence

• Better Help - https://www.betterhelp.com/?podconvergence

• Talk Space - https://www.talkspace.com/?podconvergence

Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast

Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow.

Follow the Pod

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/

X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence

Instagram: @podconvergence