NUEROSCIENCE FOR LEADERSHIP: HARNESSING THE BRAIN GAIN ADVANTAGE
By T. Swart, Kitty Chisholm and Paul Brown
WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT
This book is a deep dive into the science behind how our brains react to leadership. It looks at the brain in depth, from the molecular level of neurotransmitters, the physical areas of the brain and how it all evolved to act as a leader of follower. It is not a textbook on chemicals in the brain; far from it. The authors have done a fantastic job of taking a detailed topic and explaining how is can be practically applied by any leader.
FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Trust is fundamental to leadership, because it is fundamental to interpersonal relationships.
The brain can be compared to an organisation, with higher level functions requiring more resources and having more control over outputs, while routine processes are handled easily - until something goes wrong.
Our brains have evolved to prioritise the negative in any situation, so we need to clearly communicate when we are trying to make a positive change.
if a brain can’t find meaning, it will construct meaning. Be careful what you might accidentally construe.
Emotions are not a bad thing. They are critical to motivation and meaning, and will enhance a leader’s communications.
THINGS TO GUIDE A NEW LEADER:
The brain looks for shortcuts. Be aware of your biases and mental gaps when you think you understand a complex situation.
Change is perceived by our brain as bad. You need to influence others to show why it isn’t.
We trust our own experience more than we trust external messaging. This makes it hard to simply explain a change and expect engagement.
THINGS TO REMIND AN EXPERIENCED LEADER:
Communication occurs at every level of your brain. Be aware of the message you send when you think you aren’t sending a message.
If you aren’t aware of your values, you can’t communicate them. This means you can’t align them to your organisation, or align others to your values.
Theory isn’t enough. To improve as leader takes deliberate practice.
THE QUOTE I’D TWEET:
“We do not like the word follower. It gives the wrong impression, implying that the leader is in front, forging one path, and the rest are behind.”
3 THINGS TO PUT INTO PRACTICE:
Trust my stories, and develop ones for expressing what’s important to me. Stories are influential at the most fundamental level of our brains.
Be clear. Subtlety and inference are a sure way to have someone construct a meaning I didn’t mean to impart.
Don’t downplay my emotions. Use them to connect and influence, but be aware of the fact they can have through mirroring.
INSPIRED READING
Your Brain at Work by David Rock.