Becoming a Natural Leader Through Brain Adaptability

Co-authored by Justin James Kennedy, Ph.D., Elizabeth Gould, and Katrina Hardie

If leaders are made, not born, how can you use neuroscience to reshape your brain for maximum leadership potential?

Understanding how we learn and grow is a fascinating topic, and the great news is that knowledge of neuroplasticity can help us become better leaders. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences and learning and it can be harnessed to improve leadership skills.

According to research by Michael Merzenich at the University of California, San Francisco, deliberate practice and seeking out new experiences can help develop the neural pathways and connections necessary for effective leadership. A leader has to adapt quickly to changing environments, and market pressures as well as manage a team with diverse backgrounds and interests.

This means that leadership development programs that incorporate principles of neuroplasticity, such as deliberate practice focused on new situations and concepts followed by feedback, can be more effective than traditional training programs. Practicing how to respond rather than react to emotionally challenging situations that have a tight time frame to get it right, is key to strengthening the brain. Through practicing these situations, neural pathways can be strengthened so they are cognitively perceived as events to be managed rather than calamities.

However, more than simply engaging in new experiences is required. Creating a supportive environment that encourages experimentation and learning is also crucial. Organizations that incorporate principles of neuroplasticity into their leadership development programs are more likely to see positive results. By providing opportunities for practice and feedback in a supportive environment, leaders can continue to not only grow and develop their skills but adapt and learn quickly how to manage a team in an unpredictable environment.

Understanding the concept of neuroplasticity is essential for leadership success. By incorporating the principles of neuroplasticity into leadership development programs, organizations can help their leaders develop the skills necessary to thrive in today's world and anticipate the challenges in the future.

Neuroplasticity creates more robust communication between teams and leaders

But where should I focus if I want to become a better leader using neuroplasticity as my primary tool? What areas can I apply them in?

These are good examples of where to focus and what new skills you will learn in the long run.

Self-awareness: Being self-aware is an essential skill for leaders. They can understand their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations with enhanced neuroplasticity. This insight allows leaders to make better decisions, delegate tasks more effectively, and inspire their teams while having an understanding of their possible weak points and the situations that could trigger them.

Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It's a crucial skill for leaders, allowing them to communicate effectively, build relationships, heighten empathy, and inspire others. According to recent research by Richard Davidson, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the brain's plasticity allows us to develop new habits and behaviors that promote emotional intelligence, citing practices, such as mindfulness meditation and positive self-talk.

Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in enhancing empathy and social cognition, key components of emotional intelligence. By engaging in diverse social situations, individuals can strengthen the neural pathways associated with understanding and sharing others' emotions. This heightened empathy enables leaders to connect with and inspire their team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

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Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Leaders regularly face challenges and setbacks, and resilience is essential to success. Neuroplasticity can help leaders develop resilience by rewiring their brains to approach challenges with a growth mindset, learn from failure, maintain a positive outlook, and inspire their teams during difficult times.

Communication: Effective communication is a critical component of successful leadership. According to research by Matthew Lieberman, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, by focusing on active listening, non-verbal communication, and clear articulation, it’s possible to measurably strengthen the neural connections that underlie communication and become more effective communicators.

Decision-Making: Leaders are often required to make complex decisions with far-reaching consequences, and often under pressure. Neuroplasticity can aid in honing decision-making skills by facilitating cognitive flexibility, improving information processing, and enhancing critical thinking abilities. Neuroimaging studies by Garavan and colleagues have revealed that when individuals engage in cognitive tasks, such as problem-solving or decision-making, new neural connections form, and existing ones become more efficient. By consistently engaging in decision-making processes, leaders can strengthen these neural networks, leading to more effective and confident decision-making abilities.

Creativity: Leadership often requires creativity and innovation and neuroplasticity offers solutions here as well. Engaging in activities related to this type of stimulus in the neocortex area of the brain stimulates the brain's ability to form new neural connections and encourages creative thinking. Lateral thinking activities (which have shown an incredible success rate), according to Edward de Bono, a Maltese physician and a psychologist in the field of creative thinking, are essential when we want to grow and strengthen our creativity.

Being able to harness and power up our brain’s neuroplasticity offers limitless opportunities for personal growth and development in leadership. We can rewire our brains and become more effective when leading teams, groups, or even if we want to apply to individual situations. By practicing new behaviors and habits, our brains will grow accustomed to seeing things from different perspectives.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity and discover how neuroplasticity can help you grow into a natural leader?