The Neuroscience of Leadership

In a recent Strategy+Business magazine article, David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz discuss the latest understandings in brain research that relate to organizational transformation. While the article focuses on corporate change, the same insights can be applied to personal change. For example, the following conculsions about organizational change (taken directly from the article) are also powerful considerations for personal change:

• Focus is power. The act of paying attention creates chemical and physical changes in the brain.
• Expectation shapes reality. People’s preconceptions have a significant impact on what they perceive.
• Attention density shapes identity. Repeated, purposeful, and focused attention can lead to long-lasting personal evolution.

There you have it.  Brain science research has confirmed what personal development gurus (among others) have said for so long – focus on what you want (not on what you don’t want) and if you believe you can’t or can, you’re correct. 

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