Executive Function (EF) skills are a set of modifiable brain-based skills that we use to control our attention when solving problems. They include working memory (keeping information in mind), inhibitory control (staying focused and resisting impulsive behavior), and cognitive flexibility (thinking about something in multiple ways). These skills work together – like the instruments in an orchestra – to make it possible to keep our goals in mind, avoid distractions, and be flexible, at work and in life. Typically, EF skills peak in early adulthood and then begin to decline, but they can be improved through awareness and practice, or negatively impacted by stress, at any age.
Given the importance of EF skills for work and life, we can help improve employees’ performance and satisfaction by first making them aware of their EF level and then providing suggestions for strengthening their skills.
Only de-identified data are used by Reflective Performance, and these data are only used to develop norms that can be tailored to each organization or job level and to help us figure out how we can best work with organizations to strengthen their employees’ EF skills and unlock their problem-solving potential. Reflective Performance researchers can analyze the Reflect/EF results across the organization and correlate them with other de-identified information provided by the organization, such as job placement, employee type, position, etc. In the future, Reflective Performance intends to utilize larger de-identified data sets collected across all adult assessments to provide aggregate norms or benchmarks across industries, geographies, market segments and employee types, which will help customers identify their performance vs. their peers or competitors.