 The Salience Network:
The Brain Network You’ve Never Heard Of (But Use Constantly) You’ve probably heard of “executive function," that hard-working system of your brain responsible for focus, decisions, and getting things done. Maybe you’ve even come across the Default Mode Network (DMN), the system that activates when your mind wanders, reflects, or dreams - the one where your imagination lives. I've been running on the premise that these two networks collaborate, like complimentary opposites. On and off. But there’s another, lesser-known player in your brain that might just be the secret to your clarity, intuition, and creativity. It’s called the Salience Network, and it’s the one deciding what matters most right now. It doesn’t compete with the other two. It manages them. What Is the Salience Network? Think of the Salience Network as the orchestrator, the mode-switcher, the meta-attention system. It watches for emotional cues, bodily sensations, environmental inputs, and says: “What’s most important here? What deserves your attention?” Think of it as the brain’s spotlight operator. In every moment, it scans the inner and outer world. It’s the part of you that:
It doesn’t think or do. It decides where your thinking and doing should go next. It’s not either/or anymore. It’s dynamic, intelligent flow, with the Salience Network serving as conductor, not competitor. Metaphors to Make It Stick The Salience Network is:
So it’s not loud, but it’s powerful. And when it’s working well, it helps you feel clear, attuned, and aligned. Why It Matters More Than Ever It's noisy out there, and in your head. With the constant pings, distractions, and emotional overload, your Salience Network is under siege. We can be overcome by a deep inner meh. Many of us have been trained to ignore our inner signals, to override instinct with productivity and greater output. If you're feeling scattered, burned out, or stretched too thin, you’re not alone. That’s what happens when your brain runs on structure and an emphasis on productivity without enough space to pause, sense, and shift. The Salience Network is your built-in reset button. Not to stop everything. But to recalibrate what matters most. Tuning in to this network can help you:
If you’ve ever had an insight appear out of nowhere, or shifted gears mid-thought because “something felt off,” you were likely listening to this quiet but crucial system as it spotlit an important thought. How to Strengthen It The good news? This isn’t abstract brain science. It’s trainable. You strengthen your Salience Network by practicing:
These are all elements of Creative Intelligence (CQ). The goal isn’t constant clarity. It’s being able to tune your attention like an instrument, with curiosity and care. Final Thought You don’t have to run your life on tasks, lists, and to-do’s alone. There’s a quieter intelligence in you, one that knows when to pause, when to pivot, and when to pursue. It’s constantly scanning for what matters most. All it asks is that you notice when it's calling for your attention. If you want to sharpen that discernment, if you’re craving more clarity, more insight, and a way to move through complexity with intention, start by growing your CQ.
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 Image: VietNam Beautiful via Unsplash What do you see when a child kicks a soccer ball?
Freedom. Joy. Friendship. Play. A child at play is a moving illustration of creativity and human development. Children learn by playing. It’s how humans are wired. Consider what a child learns by kicking a ball:
What does a social psychology and economics student who’s taking an engineering course see when a child kicks a soccer ball? A solution to poor infrastructure and electricity on demand. Wait. What? Adults Can Benefit From Play, Too It’s true. The innate ability to learn through play isn't limited to children. It's a fundamental aspect of human nature that can spark innovation and drive change. Back in 2008, two students at Harvard University, Jessica O. Matthews (referenced above) and Julia C. Silverman, who was studying Social Anthropology and Economics, made this creative leap together in an engineering class. You see, Matthews’ family is from Nigeria, and on her many trips to visit family who still live there, she observed two big things:
Matthews brought this observation to Silverman, and they co-create a device that harnesses and stores the kinetic energy of being kicked to generate reliable energy for a small device. And through the iterative process of trial and error, their experiments resulted in a prototype of an object called SOCCKET - a soccer ball with an embedded gyroscope generator and a power port - that could turn 30 minutes of play into three hours of light or a fully charged cell phone. The imaginative leap this took is one seen time and again in creative thinking: random association. Let’s walk through what the process could have looked like. Observation: Matthews and Silverman observed two disparate facts and brought them together: the universal love for soccer, and the prevalent issue of unreliable electricity in a wide array of communities. This observation sparked their curiosity and planted the seed for innovation. Playful Exploration: Inspired by the idea of play and its potential to generate energy, Matthews and Silverman began experimenting with different materials and designs. They approached the challenge with a sense of curiosity and playfulness themselves, allowing them to explore unconventional ideas. Frustration and Setbacks: As with any creative endeavor, the process was not without its challenges. Initially, engineering experts said their idea couldn’t be done, forcing them to adapt and learn on their own. There were surely moments of frustration when initial prototypes failed to meet expectations or faced technical difficulties. But instead of giving up, they persisted, using setbacks as learning opportunities to refine their approach. Iterative Design: Through a process of playing with trial and error, Matthews and Silverman iterated on their designs, continually refining and improving the SOCCKET prototype. Each version brought them closer to their goal, as they learned from both successes and failures along the way. Excitement and Breakthroughs: Alongside the challenges came moments of excitement and breakthroughs. When they successfully developed a prototype that could convert kinetic energy from play into usable electricity, it marked a significant milestone in their creative journey. These moments of success fueled their motivation and inspired them to keep pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Collaborative Innovation: Throughout the process, Matthews and Silverman collaborated closely, leveraging each other's strengths and perspectives to overcome obstacles, uncover their blindspots, and drive innovation forward. Their partnership exemplified the power of teamwork in creative problem-solving. Real-World Impact: The culmination of their efforts resulted in the creation of the SOCCKET, a groundbreaking innovation with the potential to address energy poverty and empower communities around the world. Their journey from observation to invention demonstrates the transformative power of creativity when combined with empathy, persistence, and collaboration. The two women went on to co-found Uncharted Play (now Uncharted), a company “on a mission to accelerate the equitable development of smart, sustainable infrastructure worldwide.” What started as a simple obsersvation of play became their ethos for impact. The Power of Play The journey of Matthews and Silverman in creating the SOCCKET illustrates the power of play to transcend perceived limitations and drive transformative change. They dared to challenge the status quo and ask, "what if?" They embraced the spirit of play, allowing curiosity and imagination to guide their creative process. They ignored the experts who said it couldn’t be done and taught themselves just enough to have a breakthrough. Through playful exploration, they uncovered unexpected connections and solutions that had the potential to reshape entire communities. The SOCCKET may not have turned into the promise it initially held, but its conceptualization and initial impact serve as a powerful testament to the potential of small ideas to spark significant change. The story of the SOCCKET demonstrates how innovation and creativity, even in their early stages, can have far-reaching implications and inspire broader conversations and initiatives. This story serves as a powerful reminder that your greatest breakthroughs often emerge when you give yourself permission to play, to dream, and to push beyond the limits of what's expected or assumed. When you unleash your creativity and refuse to underestimate yourself, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. So, what's your limit? Don't underestimate yourself. Embrace the playful, imaginative spirit within you and dare to dream big. Who knows what transformative impact you may unleash on the world.  Image: Erik Dungan via Unsplash Do you ever find yourself teetering on the edge of a brilliant idea, only to be halted by an inner voice screaming, "You're in danger! Don't jump!"? If you've experienced this, know that you're not alone.
Creative minds often grapple with self-doubt, anxiety, or frustration that seems to block the path to innovation. But what if I told you there's a secret weapon to shatter those barriers? Enter emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ isn't just about managing emotions; it's your superpower for breaking free from the fight-flight-freeze mode when challenges arise. Picture this scenario instead: You're on the brink of a creative breakthrough when that familiar doubt sneaks in, your heart rate accelerates, and you instinctively retreat. But then you pause, taking a deep breath as your EQ steps in. It helps you recognize the emotional whirlwind for what it is: fear of the unknown and misplaced self-doubt. With your newfound awareness, you take a moment to self-regulate, quieting those inner negative voices. As you regain your composure, you're able to leverage the power of creative thinking. How? By asking the right questions, exploring new perspectives, and tapping into your unique insights. You dissect the complex emotions you experienced, extracting the valuable nuggets of information they hold. Surprisingly, that initial emotional turmoil becomes fuel for innovation. And here's the good news: You can learn to better manage these rogue emotions and inner voices. Moreover, you can discover creative thinking techniques tailored to your unique style, propelling your ideas forward. Research underscores the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in fostering creativity. Dr. Daniel Goleman, renowned psychologist and author of "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ," says, "Emotional intelligence is the ability to sense, understand, and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions as a source of human energy, information, connection, and influence." This insightful perspective underscores the profound impact of EQ on our cognitive processes and creative endeavors. I've had the privilege of teaching these strategies to some of the most brilliant creators and experts. While their selection of tactics may vary, the end result remains the same: breakthroughs. So, the next time that inner voice warns you of danger, remember: your EQ is your creative compass. It's your guide to navigate the inner landscape and unleash the genius within. If you're eager to develop new skills to calm that inner noise and amplify your creative capacity, I invite you to schedule a chat with me. Together, we'll explore the tools in my kit that can empower you on your creative journey. |
AuthorVeronica Scarpellino is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the ICF and Board Certified Coach (BCC), stands at the forefront of creativity and career evolution. With over 20 years of immersive experience and formal coaching, she specializes in guiding professionals through transitions, emphasizing the transformative potential of creative thinking. Archives
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