What is Neuroscience anyway?

There has been a great deal of talk in recent years about Neuroscience and how important it is for leaders to understand the way in which our brains work. There was a time that people thought that we only used 10% of our brains, but actually there is no scientific evidence to suggest that this is true. Actually the complete opposite is true – we are actually using some part of our brain all the time and there is no part that is never used. So what exactly is neuroscience and how can we use it to improve our leadership and therefore the performance of the people we lead?

One definition of Neuroscience is that it is “any or all of the sciences, such as neurochemistry and experimental psychology, which deal with the structure or function of the nervous system and the brain.”

Another is the study of how the nervous system develops, its structure and what it does; and that Neuroscientists focus on the brain and its impact on behaviour and cognitive functions. But it’s not just Neuroscientists who should study how our brains affect what we do. As leaders, it’s vital that we understand how our brains work and how they affect us, so that we can also understand the impact of our words and actions on those around us. No longer can we expect to lead teams merely by commanding them; and no longer can leaders get away with sitting in isolation behind their desks, without considering how their behaviours affect other people.

The Basics

The nervous system is divided into two areas – the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS consists of nerves its function is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs; the CNS consists of the spinal cord and the brain.

The brain is the most complex part of the human body – a spongy 3lb mass that is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement and controller of behaviour.

How Does Your Brain Affect How You Feel?

Emotions are thought to be related to activity in brain areas that direct our attention, motivate our behaviour and determine the significance of what is going on around us. Emotions create feelings that lead to a state. Work by Paul Broca (1878), James Papez (1937) and Paul D. MacLean (1952) suggested that emotion is related to a group of structures in the centre of the brain called the Limbic System. Here are just a few of these structures and what they do:

The Amygdala is involved in detecting and learning what parts of our surroundings are important and have emotional significance. It is critical for the production of emotion and may be particularly so for negative emotions.

The Thalamus plays an important role in regulating states of sleep and wakefulness.

The Hypothalamus plays a role in emotional responses by synthesizing and releasing neurotransmitters which can affect mood, reward and arousal.

The Hippocampus is mainly involved in memory, working to form new memories and also connecting different senses such as visual input, smell or sound to memories. It allows memories to be stored long term and also retrieves them when necessary.

A part of the Cingulate Gyrus is thought to play a central role in attention and behaviourally demanding cognitive tasks. It may be particularly important with regard to conscious, subjective emotional awareness. This region of the brain may also play an important role in the initiation of motivated behaviour.

So now you know a bit more about how your brain works and how it deals with emotions, let’s look at how to put that knowledge into practice.

Limbic Success Tips

Leadership development that is grounded in Neuroscience is extremely powerful. Understanding how your brain works means that you can work with your team to get the best from them.

How can you get started today?

1. Start by noticing your moods and your emotions. How do you feel at different times of the day and in different situations?

2. Then look at other people’s moods. Do you know why they’re showing a particular emotion or behaving in a certain way?

3. Can you see a connection between how you’re feeling and how someone else is behaving? Can you see how your behaviour or current emotional state is affecting them?

Take some time to watch the people around you and you’ll to notice how your emotions can affect other people as well as yourself.

By Peter Green

Peter is a speaker, workshop facilitator and author. Founder of Limbic Leadership, helping front line leaders harness the brain for massive influence, higher engagement and exceptional results from their teams. Leadership Development Grounded in Neuroscience!