Remember the line leaders in kindergarten? Did you ever want to be chosen but weren’t, no matter how hard you tried? Teachers selected those students for a reason: either they trusted them to follow expectations or needed them close by for supervision.
Now, fast forward to the workplace—are the same traits that got students picked in kindergarten the ones that define leadership today?
The neuroscience of leadership delves into the nervous systems and brain’s role in trust, influence and decision making, revealing how these early behaviours can still shape the way we lead and are led in organisations.
How might have your life experiences impacted the way you see yourself and lead?
Stressful experiences are incredibly influential in shaping how we view and respond to the world around us and other people. They can alter our life outlook, coping strategies, and how our nervous systems respond to physical and emotional pain. During childhood in particular, scientists believe that these experiences physically alter the brain in ways that negatively impact long-term physical and emotional health and lead to behaviours that limit our potential.
Leadership is obviously far more complex than simply going first in line. Effective leadership requires skills like:
Communicating a clear vision
Navigating uncertainty and risk
Making difficult decisions
According to Willie Pietersen Leadership comprises of three key domains
Intrapersonal Leadership - The leadership of self
Strategic leadership - The leadership of the organisations
Interpersonal leadership - The leadership of others
Willie Pietersen suggests that key to success is integrated leadership, ensuring that all three domains are working hand in hand, each one supporting the other. When any one is missing, the others cannot succeed. The overarching message in the leadership literature is the importance of the human dimension
How well do you understand the human dimension?
For example, do you know how your brain and body work together to drive your feelings, thoughts and behaviours? Do you understand why two people can respond so differently in the same situation? Do you know that chronic stress changes the brain leading to
Disengaged teams
Toxic workplaces full of conflict
Declining productivity and profitability
I believe that forward thinking leaders are the pioneers who will transform our society from one that ignores the brain and nervous system to one that learns its mechanism thereby enhancing their own wellbeing and performance and the lives of others.
When you know how to work with your nervous system and brain, it changes everything, for the better
As a nervous system expert, I have learned it’s crucial to start at the top. I guide leaders to do the inner work, enabling them to lead themselves, others, and their organisations with balance and brilliance.
Doing the inner work results in behaviours like:
Calmness under pressure
The ability to truly listen to every voice
Curiosity when navigating change
Your nervous system and brain make these behaviours possible, hence, understanding the nervous system and brain is critical for leadership. Dysregulated leaders, whether from high demand, chronic stress, poor sleep, trauma, or other factors, spread tension and discord, negatively impacting all areas of their work and life.
A dysregulated nervous system is contagious—you either share your calm or your stress
Contrary to old ideas of ruthless leadership, research shows that when people operate in "fight, flight, or freeze" modes, they may perform but never at their best. The nervous system seeks balance, needing a sense of safety to cue the brain to function optimally.
Yes, stress can be useful, but too much for too long harms both health and performance. Stress resilience—the ability to manage and recover from stress—is essential. Recognising your nervous system state is the first step toward maintaining your mental and physical health.
Signs of dysregulation include:
Inner tension and a feeling of unease
Critical of self and others
Sleep disturbances
Need to control leading to micromanagement and conflict
Craving sugar, alcohol, or other coping mechanisms
Signs of regulation include:
An inner calm and sense of ease
Curiosity and compassion for yourself and others
Restful sleep
Trust, delegation and collaboration
Choosing healthy foods, exercise and relaxation
All leadership starts with self-leadership. Are you leading from your ‘true’ self, or are you leading from your ‘stress’ self?
Is your physiological state driving your brain and behaviour resulting in fear and manipulation-based leadership? Or are you operating from a state of inner balance, and leading with trust, empathy and inspiration?
How would things change for you if you could shift your internal state?
I partner with executives and leaders helping them become active operators of their nervous systems and recognise and rewire the biological pathways that hinder optimal health, relationships, and performance.
Working with me results in:
Feeling calmer and more connected even under high pressure
The ability to think clearly and creatively
Better relationships
Improved business outcomes
You can attend all the leadership training you want, but if your nervous system is dysregulated, it will limit your leadership
True leaders go first—they learn to work with their nervous system and brain so they can lead others with the calmness, clarity and confidence.
Every day, in every moment, you're faced with choices. By understanding how the body and brain work together, you can choose with intention, optimising outcomes for yourself, others, and your organisation.
Are you ready to lead the way? If yes, please get in touch, if not, what’s getting in your way and how can I help?
Andrea Edmondson, M.Ed., is a multidisciplinary executive coach. Her signature 3-month NeuroSmart Program is designed specifically for senior leaders and can be delivered one-on-one or to leadership teams.
To find out more please schedule a call or visit her website NeuroSmart Learning
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