Dr. Marian Diamond, Professor of Anatomy at the University of California in Berkeley, has devoted three decades to the study of how enriched environments can improve brain size and performance.

Although much of Diamond's work has been carried out using rats, the results can be applied to humans with a reasonable degree of confidence. Diamond and her colleagues carried out many experiments with rats who were exposed to various environments with different levels of stimulation. Some rats were reared in large cages with plenty of toys and mazes and a dozen other rats for company. These environments were classified as enriched because the rats had plenty of things to do in the presence of stimulating company. The enriched rats were then compared with others living in less stimulating environments and also with rats living alone in boring, impoverished conditions. All rats received the same level of dietary care.

The results of the research showed that the rats in the enriched environment had an additional increase in brain cortical mass and that this was due in part to changes in the size of the nerve cells, including their dendritic branching. In other words the nerve cells in the brains of the rats in the enriched environment actually increased in size.

Diamond's research has also disproved the saying "...you can't teach an old dog new tricks". A group of old rats were exposed to enriched environments and compared with old rats in standard environments. The researchers once again reported an increase in cortical mass.

Diamond drew some interesting conclusions from this research. One has been to challenge the "grim reaper death" myth which suggests that we lose neurons at the rate of about 1,000 a day after we turn forty years of age. (This is cause for serious concern, particularly when you consider that the dead cells are not replaced!) Both Diamond and other researchers have challenged this idea and reported that enrichment and mental stimulation may keep the cerebral grim-reaper at bay.

The brain, like a muscle, needs to be exercised regularly. It needs the enrichment that comes from a stimulating and interesting environment.

Your office should provide a stimulating environment. The money invested in interior design to provide a well-designed layout and good facilities will be well spent. As a manager I'm sure you'll have noticed that staff don't work well in dull, unstimulating environments with routine or tedious tasks. Marion Diamond's research shows the need for managers to provide stimulation both in the surroundings and the work you allocate to staff.

To what extent can you train the brain? Is there any limitation to its efficiency? Scientists are beginning to feel that geniuses are made rather than born! A number of studies of gifted people have shown that their extraordinary abilities and gifts arise not so much from innate talent but from extraordinary persistence and practice.

An article published in New Scientist magazine referred to a young man who had the ability to remember up to 80 digits after looking at the list of numbers only once. Many classified him as a genius. His ability was remarkable but it had developed as a result of his participation in a psychological experiment for two years in which he was paid to spend an hour a day memorising lists of numbers. The so called genius of idiot savants (pron. "sav-aunts") often results from an obsessional interest in one particular area , for example, calendar dates, and then repeating these dates for hours on end to the neglect of many other things.

Brilliant men like Einstein and Newton had an extraordinary commitment to their work pursuing it with determination and persistence. Their magnificent brains reflect the enormous input and output of their work. Outstanding managers almost always have in common their capacity to work hard. The truism that success is 99% effort and 1% brilliance is more appropriate than we admit. This applys equally to your efforts both at the office and at home.

When you commence an exercise programme (say jogging) you tend to go through plateaus with practice. The brain seems to do the same thing. When you commence to learn a language it is often hard going, but eventually a plateau is reached ... the same for learning a musical instrument. It has been suggested that the brain lays down models in fixed groups that enhance performance. If you work at something for long enough you'll develop extraordinary ability.

To what extent do you provide your brain with enriching experiences? You might like to check your current status by completing the Enrichment Checklist.