Hacking brain science for leaders

Hacking brain science for leaders

Leadership expert and author Steve Gladis, MA English '84, PhD Education '95, and Senior Scholar in Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, has released a new book titled Hacking Brain Science for Leaders: The Neuroscience of Leadership. This comprehensive guide offers a deep dive into the brain's inner workings to reveal how neuroscience can transform leadership practices. Gladis, a seasoned executive coach with decades of experience, presents evidence-based insights into how understanding brain functions can lead to better decision-making, emotional regulation, and the cultivation of trusted relationships.

Hacking Brain Science for Leaders is divided into four sections, each targeting a critical aspect of leadership:

  1. Making better decisions: This chapter explores the prefrontal cortex's role in decision-making, the impact of dopamine on reward and risk-taking, and strategies to overcome cognitive biases.
  2. Managing emotions: This chapter delves into the limbic system's influence on emotions, techniques for emotional regulation, and the neuroscience of emotional intelligence.
  3. Building trusted relationships: Highlights the role of oxytocin in trust-building, strategies for cultivating cooperation, and repairing team conflicts.
  4. Understanding change and neuroplasticity: This chapter discusses the brain's ability to rewire itself, promoting continuous growth and resilience in leadership. 

In addition to theoretical insights, Hacking Brain Science for Leaders presents a compelling narrative of a fictional company facing real-world challenges. Through this story, readers see how brain science principles can be applied in a business context to overcome obstacles and achieve success.