Understanding Neuroscience – Benefits for Business Leaders

Any kind of modern-day executive training covers neuroscience, which is a branch of science that looks at the brain and how it impacts on cognitive and behavioural functions. There is plenty of excitement surrounding neuroscience at the present time and research on the brain is at an all-time high. Both the EU and the US have launched programs that will help us to better understand the brain as a result of the research carried out. Scientists have drawn up some rather intriguing insights into how the brain functions and there are some notable observations that could have major implications for business leaders.

We now know that the brain will change and adapt depending on certain experiences, with the latest research stating that the brain continues to create neural pathways to adapt to a new experience, create memories and learn new information. The physical structure of the brain can also change as a result of learning, with cognitive exercise leading to physical changes in the brain.

There are many different ways humans are motivated, from care and affiliation to achievement and desires. Research has suggested that intense exercises in attention, self-awareness and mindfulness can lead to changes in the brains hardware as well as selfish habits, which can ultimately lead to a change in how we behave e among others.

It’s important that business leaders take advantage of the latest research put forward in neuroscience but it’s just as important to know when to separate the rigorous research from information that is irrelevant and unfortunately, plenty of this exists. Neuroscience is still evolving and great progress has been made in recent years but it’s important to know that, with greater understanding of the brain, there is also plenty of irrelevant information doing the rounds that requires business leaders to be cautious.

Neuroscience is something that we should encourage business leaders to delve deeper in to, with much of the research already conducted telling us so much about how people learn and how behaviours change. As research continues business leaders can expect to gain even more knowledge about how to lead people and develop an effective organisation. Neuroscience may not provide all the answers but it does give us an idea of how we should tailor programs and learning methods to build effective organisations.

There is even the possibility of managers being able to harness neuroscientific research to change how they act in the workplace. Managers come in many different forms and have differing characteristics but if we were to discover the most beneficial form of behaviour for an organisation and its employees, there could be scope for business leaders to adapt and open new areas of learning and development.

This article was provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working in the CBT & Psychotherapy industry – in this instance for London based practice Think Change Consulting – who were consulted over the information contained in this piece.