Tag: Leaders

5 Neuroscience Hacks for Making You a Better Leader

Neuroscience Hacks

What has neuroscience got to do with leadership? Quite a lot, reveal many studies. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress and chaos in the modern day lives can take a toll on leaders.

As per the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2019, as complex structural changes impact people’s work, relationships and lives, mental health problems now affect an estimated 700 million people worldwide.

Leaders need to confront these facts and find ways to overcome these challenges. A leader needs to understand how the human brain responds to challenges, situations and various events.

Here we look at 5 Neuroscience hacks for better leadership.

1. Learning New Things:

The brain changes throughout your life. The neuroplasticity of the brain is affected when you learn new things. Our brains work better when we keep learning new things. Leaders understand the urge for learning that is inbuilt into the human brain.

Leaders encourage constant learning and help their team take on new challenges. They create a framework where learning, experimentation and growth is encouraged for their team members.

Researchers have found that new neurons are created in the brain associated with learning, memory and emotion throughout adult life. Your brain can be as dynamic as you want it to be.

2. Stress Management

Stress Management

Our brains work best when they are constantly supplemented with physical activity. The physical activity stimulates the chemicals that affect the brain cells. It is immensely helpful in keeping your brain sharp and focused.

As human beings become more and more dependent on technology, the stress in the system builds up. Physical exercise and activity is the best way to release this stress.

Leaders need to know that stress impairs brain functioning. It also speeds up cognitive decline. Physical activity, mindfulness and aerobics can help to manage stress.

3. Leading by Example

lead-by-example

According to neuroscientist, Tej Tadi, “brain cells that fire both when a person acts and that person observes the same action performed by another person.”

Leaders must understand that people learn by observing things around them. The brain mimics the behaviour of the persons we associate with. Leaders must set the right examples by leading from the front. They must create a congenial environment where people can learn and grow together.

4. Uncertainty is Good

We all seek predictability and certainty in things we do. But situations and events around us are never predictable. The corporate world, in particular throws many unprecedented and unknown challenges. Leaders need to constantly guard themselves and their teams against the unpredictable.

A Yale University study has shown that the brain benefits from volatility and uncertainty boosts learning. Professor Daeyeol Lee says, “when you enter a more novel and volatile environment, this might enhance the tendency for the brain to absorb more information.”

The brain is not always learning, but adapts according to situations. So, the more challenging situations may bring out the best in the teams.

5. Explain the Why

explain-the-why

Our brain works best when it can understand the cause and effect. People are in a state of inertia unless they are compelled to move. Resistance and change can be hard. But when people know the reason why something needs to be done, they figure out the how.

Leaders need to play an important role in defining the why, the purpose to bring out the best in their teams. Our brains are geared to work on positive experiences. When we know something is important and feel connected to it, the results can be taken to a different level altogether.

When leaders understand the psychology of their people, they can connect with them better & bring out the best in them.

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7 Traits of Highly Admired Leaders

Highly Admired Leaders

A leader is a force multiplier. When teams truly believe in their leader, they are able to do accomplish incredible things.

What makes leaders highly admired? Well, there are some traits of leadership that make people stand out. These traits help individuals rise to another level and inspire trust in others.

Great leaders are able to connect, inspire and elevate their followers to the next level. Here’s a look at some of the most admired qualities of leaders:

1. Stay Positive

Stay Positive

Great leaders always set their sites on a lofty goal. They aspire to reach and push others to higher levels all the time. They know how to create a happy,  motivated and focused team for achieving shared goals.

When things go wrong and don’t work as per expectations, good leaders take charge of the situation. They confront problems and do not blame others. They resolve to provide solutions and in the process inspire others to do so as well.

Even in the worst situations and catastrophic failures, they do their best to save individuals and teams. They know that they are responsible for the well being of their teams. They stay positive and encourage others during tough times.

2. They take ownership of their mistakes and failures

No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, but rarely do leaders admit their failures. A leader who can openly admit his mistakes and failures builds a rapport with the team.

The most admired leaders take ownership of what they do, especially the mistakes. Many leaders are quick to blame others and try to point fingers in adverse situations. But great leaders take responsibility and make others accountable too.

3. Results

Results

A leader is admired when he can deliver the results. Whether it is the sports teams or corporate ones, the truly outstanding leaders deliver the results.

How effectively a leader can maximise the strengths of his teams shows his mettle. The truly capable leaders have the ability to look ahead, to plan, anticipate and achieve great results.

Admirable leaders have the ability to anticipate trends, see what others miss and rally their teams to achieve remarkable things. They are able to visualise and communicate goals with clarity to energise people around them.

4. Focus

Focus is one of the most important things for leaders today. A great leader is always doing the things that create maximum value. They know the importance of energy, time and focus. They maximise their impact by focusing on the things that are truly important.

A great leader always helps the teams to focus on the right things. Leaders align their teams in the right direction and eliminate all distractions. They know what needs to be achieved by themselves & by others.

Great leaders focus on strengths of people and combine them in a way that everyone benefits from each other. They have clarity and bring intense focus to do things that seem impossible for others.

5. Collaborate without Ego

Collaborate without Ego

The leaders need to collaborate and work with people to succeed. Many a times, leaders are let down by their ego. They are unable to check their egos and it often leads to conflicts with others.

Leadership is the ability to bring out the best in people, helping them to improve and making a positive contribution to everyone around you.

The truly admirable leaders are able to build bridges and find ways to collaborate with others. They know the art of making connections, fostering long term relationships and helping people succeed.

6. Value Everyone

A good leader treats everyone fairly without any bias. The standards are same for everyone and you can expect no undue favours from them.

Leaders create an environment where people know what they do is important. They know that their contribution matters, they know they are valued and want to be part of the team.

A leader ensures that people are driven by important things that will add meaning and create impact. They know how to bring everyone to a common platform where people can make contribute towards a bigger cause.

7. They Do it Themselves

They Do it Themselves

People rarely listen to leaders, they simply watch what leaders do. Leaders never expect others to do what they don’t do themselves. They walk the talk. They are authentic, committed and know what it takes to be successful.

A great leader backs people when they are down, supports them in failures and prepares them to take on bigger challenges. A leader leads by examples in all he is doing. He is setting the benchmarks by his own performance and work ethics. When the team can look up to their leaders, they rise to his standards and achieve great thing in the process.

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8 Personality Traits that Make You a Leader

Leadership traits

Leadership is not about titles, it is about your attitude and what you do.

Leadership is rare quality. Some people are naturally gifted to be leaders. But most people especially in corporate world acquire leadership through hard work and grit. When you build and develop the right traits, you can improve your leadership abilities.  

Leadership is about influencing things positively and making an impact that can translate in something bigger than self interests. It is about doing what it takes to be able to instrument things for well being of others.

Here we look at some of the personality traits that make you a leader, no matter where you are & what position you hold:

1. Doing More than Others:

Doing More than Others

It sounds very simple, but the primary quality of leadership is about giving. When you give more than others you rise up the leadership ladder. It is about taking responsibility and going out of the way to get things done and helping others.

Leadership is not given to anyone, but people rise to become leaders by their actions and attitude.

2. Authenticity:

Great leaders push themselves and also want their teams to do their best. They are authentic and are driven by the big picture. This authenticity can be seen in their day to day actions. Whether it is the projects they are working on, their communication or interactions with clients, they are honest.

True leaders wield power with the work they do and who they are. They don’t show off or mislead people. They do what they say and never say anything they don’t mean.

3. Inspire Others:

Inspire Others

If you inspire others to raise their standards and game, you are a leader. The best leaders always inspire their co-workers, team mates and associates to be their best.

You can never succeed by running away from responsibility, shirking work, and indulging in politics. You can only rise higher in life by doing great things, raising your standard, and constantly pushing yourself to do better.

They have the best interest in their hearts for all, make meaningful difference and inspire others to be great too.

4. Growth Mindset:

The challenges of tomorrow cannot be solved with the skills of yesterday.

Change is the name of the game. Anyone who detests change inhibits his own progress. When you are a leader or aspire to be one, you need to embrace the change. You need to proactively change and steer things in a better direction all the time.

Leadership is about acquiring a growth mindset, where you constantly strive to get better & make others better too.  

5. Inner Drive:

Inner Drive

Leaders are driven by what they want to achieve. They are disciplined, because they are motivated by what they are doing.

In Dan Pink’s book, Drive, he argues that “purpose” & “mastery” are two things that humans find most motivating. It is about finding meaning in what we do and getting really good at it.

By sheer involvement and mastery of your work, you can not only gain expertise but also improve your leadership capabilities.

6. Problem Solvers:

You can either be a complainer or a problem solver. The problem solvers are constantly looking for solutions, others are busy complaining. People who solve tough problems and provide valuable solutions are always in demand.

Leaders need to deal with pressure situations every day and they are need to constantly look for creative ways to find solutions. When you find solutions and help everyone win, you are a leader.

7. Humility:

Humility

Humility is acknowledging that you don’t know everything. Despite whatever expertise you have in your field, nothing is ever constant. Things change fast and the only way to keep pace is by being humble. Leaders are humble; they know that they don’t everything.

It is by constantly looking for better ways of doing things, learning from those who are more accomplished and being open minded to accept the right inputs. Humility is a great virtue that leads people to improve themselves and rise up the echelons of leadership.

8. Impact:

Does your work create impact? This is a really hard question to answer, but leaders ask this question with everything they do. Yes, doing things that create an impact and makes a meaningful difference matters a lot.

The time you spend doing things will have little significance, if it doesn’t make an impact. Leaders do meaningful work, create positive impact and attract success.

Conclusion:

Leaders influence things positively. They care deeply about what they are doing, contribute and do their best to help everyone. They live up to higher standards, put their hand up in tough situations and make things better. Leaders give more than they receive and are ready to sacrifice their interests for larger good of those around them.

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When Leaders Need to Act Tough

Tough Leaders

Leadership is hard. It gets harder in the world driven by technology, where people spend very little face time even when they are working next to each other. As a leader, you need to set the tone, culture and high standards. Sometimes, you need to act tough and draw the line between what is acceptable and what is not.

Great leaders act tough when they need to; they are not compelled by the circumstances and situations. They are ready to take temporary setbacks for accomplishing their long term vision. Here are some situations when leaders need to act tough:

1. Status Quo

A leader needs to get things moving and challenge the status quo all the time. No organisation or institution can excel without action and relentless pursuit of improvement. A leader needs to set the pace for their team and drive people to accomplish greater things together.

2. Politics

Politics

Nothing is more crippling for organisations than politics. It spreads like cancer. The earlier you tackle it, the better it is. No successful leader encourages politics; infact, they deal with it with an iron fist. People who take the route of politics often end up messing their own careers and achieving very little in the long run. Leaders encourage creativity instead of politics.

3. Mediocrity

Great leadership promotes excellence not mediocrity. Far too often people are keener to do what is easy rather than what is meaningful. Leadership needs to challenge mediocrity and push people to achieve higher standards.

The best way people rise in life is by raising their standards. When people take pride in what they do, they produce great work and grow. Great leaders push average employees into superstars by placing their faith and encouraging them to succeed.

4. Lack of Discipline

Lack of Discipline

Discipline and commitment are non negotiable. Leaders never compromise on discipline and work ethics. When everyone breaches the code of conduct and rules, they should be dealt with proper action.

Great leaders establish great culture by enforcing meaningful rules and policies that can help them achieve synergy in the group. People who are casual about things are rarely disciplined to achieve success.

5. Negative Attitude

Negative attitude is a serious disability. When people spread negativity, lie and gossip, it creates a vicious cycle. Nothing good is achieved from it. It makes people fall into a trap where they simply create a cocoon of negativity around them.

People who are negative find a way to complain about everything. They don’t believe in what they are doing and discourage others from giving their best too. In the end, they only waste their time in negativity and never achieve anything worthwhile. Leaders need to distance themselves and their organisations from such people.

6. Dishonesty & Unethical

Dishonesty & Unethical

When people are dishonest with each other, they create an environment of suspicion around them. Top leaders encourage open communication and honesty. They like to lead with high integrity and character. When teams know they can trust their team members and leaders, they are likely to succeed.

7. Misplaced Priorities

The real world has dynamically changing priorities. Teams and individuals must understand the priorities in order to achieve what they want. The role of leadership is to constantly communicate what is important and requires attention.

If someone in the team doesn’t understand the priorities, deadlines and urgency of things that need to be done, leaders need to act tough. They need to take action to ensure that things are not repeated by others.

8. Unfair treatment

Unfair treatment

One of the fundamental tenets of leadership is to treat others with respect. Each and every team member is equal. When someone shows a biased attitude and treats other people unfairly, leadership needs to take stringent measures.

Rudeness and unfair treatment of others shouldn’t be tolerated by leaders. They must act to ensure that everyone is treated equal irrespective of their designations of what they do.

9. Excuses

There are two kinds of people, one who give you the excuses and others with the results. Leaders need to identify people who are always looking for excuses and deal with them. When the stakes are high, you cannot back off and give excuses.

Leaders need to inculcate a great spirit in their teams where they consistently give their best and resilient enough to succeed. They should adopt and attitude of learning and experimentation to produce the goods.

10. Poor Results

Poor Results

Leaders expect positive outcomes and progressive work. When teams and people are not producing the results, leaders need to analyse the missing pieces in the puzzle. If the teams are not really connected to their work or find meaning, they often produce poor results. Leaders need to understand the sensitivity of people, but never compromise on results and growth.

Poor results don’t lead to progress or growth. Ultimately if you need to grow, you have to deliver great results, surpass expectations and achieve excellence. It is always possible to achieve it when you give your best. Great leaders strive for progress and results.

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