The National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard, where I research and teach, is creating short video modules based on our curriculum. I am pleased that I was asked to take on the inaugural segment on the leaders brain.

In this clip, I discuss the ways that cognitive biases shape one’s perceptions and decisions–sometimes in dramatic ways–along with strategies for counteracting their effects. I also explore the instinctual freeze-flight-fight response to threat preempts more reasoned thinking (along with tips on how to recover from an “amygdala hijack”–an essential competency for leaders). I often tell aspiring leaders that the most important, relevant research for them now is happening in the fields of neuroscience and psychology. This is a small window into that fascinating world.

Having a common understanding and vocabulary around our human hard-wiring is a great way to improve the function of your team. My talks on this topic always include take-away tools that make it easier to share the learning. If you’d like to learn more, contact me to discuss a talk or custom workshop.