Leadership is a very special talent: the talent to decisively influence others through credibility, through our authenticity. We're not talking about a role, about being a boss, but about earning the trust and commitment of others, starting with our own inner leadership.
What can we do to govern ourselves better? Let's start by internalizing a series of neuro-healthy habits, beneficial for our brain. The human brain is the most fascinating organ in the universe, the most powerful. However, it is also the most vulnerable. Beyond what we inherit and our temperament, we have a great capacity (if we want it) to learn, to train ourselves, to develop new habits.
More specifically, leadership, from a neuroscience perspective, teaches us that there are nine habits or repeated behaviors that should shape our “second nature,” in Aristotle’s words. These guidelines are divided into three blocks:
A) MANAGEMENT HABITS:
Activate the purposeThe purpose, the meaning, to inspire ourselves personally and inspire others. “Leadership is the intersection of vision and courage.”
Choosing what we thinkHumans run the risk of becoming scattered and overthinking things. Putting things off, procrastination, leads to anxiety, so we must choose the idea that best suits us.
Visualize what we want to achieveImages originate from our imagination, expectations, and prophecies that we want to come true, and they often do. Our brain processes images faster than words.
B) CARE HABITS:
Relax your mindThe body, which is never still, can be revitalized through mindfulness and restorative sleep. Negative stress attacks the brain and physically damages it. Lack of sleep causes fever and colds in the short term, and in the long term, it kills, drastically reducing life expectancy.
Nourish the brain well by avoiding white poisons. Australian nutritionist Catherine Itsiopoulos recommends a Mediterranean diet and balance. She advises caution with sugar (which should not exceed 10% of caloric intake, according to the WHO), salt, flour, and dairy products.
Practice the appropriate exerciseExercise develops the hippocampus, which is key for memory and learning. We should practice at least two and a half hours of moderate activity per week.
C) DEVELOPMENT HABITS:
Talk to positive, non-toxic peopleLoneliness kills, and toxic people drain us. A good conversation makes us better people and better leaders.
Let's catch the intelligent optimism. As an explanatory style of reality, optimism benefits our brain and pessimism makes us defenseless, which affects the immune system that defends us from viruses.
Continuously learn It stems from willpower: frequent reading, constant curiosity, a desire to learn more and to forge our character. Leadership that is not appreciated depreciates.
Beyond simply knowing these habits, which may seem like common sense, we must recognize our strengths and areas for improvement, so we can maintain the former and capitalize on the latter. Having a coach along is even better. Practicing neuro-healthy habits will give us a longer and better life.