The Neuroscience of Leadership: The Head-Brain
The Head-Brain
Welcome to the second blog in our 4-part series on our three brains. (Did you miss the first part? You can read it right here.) So, now that we know we have three brains, how do we know which one to listen to? Should leaders let their head, heart, or gut make the important decisions?
The answer is, let each brain do what it’s good at. Each of our three brains has a specific purpose and function that it excels at. Understanding the function of each brain, and how to use your strengths to optimize performance and outcomes is the very best way for leaders to go about making decisions.
The Head-Brain’s Best Work
Our head-brain specializes in reasoning and strategic thinking. It is also the center of creative thought which is necessary for innovation and problem-solving.
The head-brain is best used in the decision-making process when it tackles things like collecting and analyzing objective information, making lists, and developing rational arguments for or against ideas.
But the head-brain can easily make incorrect judgments if it is not aligned with or if it ignores signals from our other two brains.
Our Head-Brain is best at:
Consciousness
Perspective
Curiosity
Learning
Clarity
Flow State
Analytical and Creative Thought
The Head-Brain’s highest expression is creativity.
Influence on decisions: The head-brain brings logic and reason to decision making.
But here’s the thing --
Our head-brain can only do its best work if we can keep it in its own lane and not let it try to run E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
And according to Sukhvinder Obhi, a neuroscientist at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, being in a position of power may fundamentally change the way the brain operates.
In his early research, he found that people in a position of power often developed a diminished capacity for empathy - a clear sign that the brain is in control, rather than the heart. He also found that the most powerless people tend to develop an increased capacity for empathy.
That’s why leaders most especially need to know how their thinking influences their decision making - and when their head-brain needs to take a back seat. (Interesting newer research from Ohbi is exploring how power causes brain damage and diminishes a leader’s capacity to read other people.)
And there are other examples of our head jumping in where it need not be involved too.
Like when our ego connects to our heart and impacts our decisions. For example, have you ever had your head send a warning to your heart with phrases like “don’t do that” following it up with inflated brain-logic like, “don’t you remember when that thing happened to you? I’m telling you, don’t do that.”
This is our brain trying to protect us, trying to influence our heart into feeling a certain way, or making a decision. But it’s not the brain’s place to tell the heart how to feel.
Or, maybe you’ve had an experience where your brain talks you out of a gut feeling you have - again using inflated, faulty brain-logic to override instinctive “gut-logic” that can’t be explained away with reason.
These are instances when letting our head-brain take a break from driving our decision making is a good idea. Our head-brain is a beautiful machine that is capable of amazing feats - but it works best when it shares responsibilities and stays in its lane.
When we put it to use for what it’s actually good at, it can help us make sense of data, solve problems, and understand how to move forward.
Ready to Optimize Your Head-Brain?
Here are some simple ways to optimize your head-brain for maximum performance. The goal here is to give your brain the tasks that it’s good at and keep it from driving decision making processes that it isn’t qualified to lead.
Recognize Chatter
Learning to differentiate between when your brain-powered mind is telling you something that is important and noteworthy, and when it starts going off-track and running a chatter-loop of unhelpful commentary. (i.e., all the ego-driven reasons you should or shouldn’t do something)
Meditation/Stress Management
Regular stress management/meditation exercises can significantly improve mind-body connection and help you become a better, more balanced leader.
Diet
Eating a diet that discourages inflammation will support healthy blood flow to the brain. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are beneficial.
Movement
Moving your body and getting your heart rate up stimulates blood flow and triggers internal chemical reactions that elevate mood and improve capacity for learning and thinking.
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