When world-class athletes or performers prepare for an event, it is easy for an outsider to see the physical preparations. Athletes are on the track constantly, musicians are practising non-stop, and dancers are twirling and working their bodies to ready themselves for a performance. But, what about mental readiness? Leaders may be physically ready (reports printed and copied, models built, etc), but if you don’t focus on your mental game, you may lose before you even begin.
In Leadership is Upside Down, mental readiness refers to the ability of a person to create a balanced psychological state in which he or she can perform optimally. If you are mentally ready, you have the capacity to focus, self-manage and you have a healthy degree of internal discipline.1
Business people aren’t really that different from top athletes, musicians, dancers or artists. For anyone to succeed at the highest echelons of their field, they must be physically and mentally prepared. The same goes for leadership--you’re expected to perform even if conditions are difficult and demanding, and even when things happen which are out of your control.
The “old ideas” regarding performance management focused on individual performance, and appraisals were doled out by a hierarchical superior. Many organisations will need to rethink the processes and tools they use to reimagine themselves in the Imagination Age. New thoughts on performance management include focusing on team performance and using peer-based assessments which allow exploration into an employee’s learning journey.2
There is a difference between intelligence and mental readiness. All the knowledge in the world won’t automatically translate into results. Neuroscience can help leaders strengthen the integration between body and mind, build balance in their brain and hone mental health alongside physical health. Higher levels of performance equate to higher levels of productivity, more harmonious environments and greater efficiency.3
The leader who is in the highest health of mental fitness will succeed.
Katharine McLennan
It takes some effort to prepare yourself for sustained high performance. Everyone
is expected to do more with fewer resources, but consider these tips to increase
mental readiness:
Neuroscience has shown how wonderful and resilient our brains are. Using a leadership method based on neuroscience can help build your mental readiness by expanding your capacity to focus and self-manage. Increasing your confidence will improve your performance and create a happier, healthier way of life.
Citations:
1. Damiano S, Cubeiro JC, de Haas T. Leadership is Upside Down: The i4 Neuroleader Revolution. About my Brain Institute. 2014.
2. McLennan K. Building Australia’s Future Today: Australia’s Transition Challenge to 2030. What is Leadership? 2018.
3. McLennan K. Building Leaders for the Imagination Age: The Case for the i4 Model. About my Brain Institute. 2016;1. [White Paper].
These Stories on Performance
Founder & CEO
About my Brain Institute
Scientist, educator, author, speaker, coach, award-winning leadership specialist, filmmaker and creator of the i4 Neuroleader Model & Methodology.
Silvia's scientific background and curiosity about the human brain led her to a decade long journey of research into optimal brain functioning and the application of neuroscience in leadership and daily life. Her past and current roles have uniquely prepared her for the current undertaking, that of leadership activist & change agent.
Silvia Damiano founded The About my Brain Institute in 2009, with the purpose of democratising leadership & neuroscience. She has a passionately held belief, that leaders in our 21st century global economy and their organisations must radically change long-held ideas of what constitutes effective leadership
In her ground-breaking books ‘Leadership is Upside Down’, ‘Brain-Friendly Leadership’ and the 2018 documentary ‘Make Me A Leader’, Silvia provides both compelling evidence and explores the importance of leadership in our personal and professional lives and what it takes to develop the human behind the leader.
Silvia has worked in different countries, across many industries, helping teams and organisations improve business performance. Silvia’s clients have described her as a passionate, dynamic, a highly experienced speaker and master facilitator on the topics of Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Change, Neuroleadership & Engagement.
Silvia is passionate about leaving a legacy of well-rounded leaders who can act and decide in a way that better serves humanity. Her clients include Microsoft, Australian Stock Exchange, NSW Government, VISA, Fuji Xerox and Manpower amongst many other global companies.
Monday to Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm (AEST)
Sydney, Australia
We reply within 48 hours!
General Business Enquiries:
hello@aboutmybrain.com
Technical Support:
support@aboutmybrain.com
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think