Are Our Work Habits Damaging Our Brains? The Case for Brain-Friendly Leadership

Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by our i4 Neuroleader™ Master Trainer - Angella Clarke-Jervoise for the Brain-Friendly Channel to discuss a topic very close to my heart: what it means to be a brain-friendly leader and why we should all care about it. You can watch the full interview below👇

Rethinking How We Work

What if the way we work is damaging our brains, and we don’t even realise it? This was the question that framed our conversation.

In today’s workplaces, efficiency often overshadows well-being. We strive to “do more with less,” but the truth is: our brains are not machines. After about two hours of intense focus, the brain becomes fatigued. Without breaks, resets or moments to recharge, both performance and health suffer.

This is where brain-friendly leadership comes in. It’s a leadership style grounded in neuroscience that helps us create healthier, more conscious workplaces, places where people can thrive rather than simply survive.

What Is Brain-Friendly Leadership?

At its core, brain-friendly leadership is about recognising that the brain is our most valuable asset. How we treat and optimise it directly impacts:

• The quality of our decisions
• Our behaviours and moral compass
• How we treat one another

Fifteen years ago, neuroscience was largely inaccessible to leaders. Today, however, we have an abundance of research showing what happens in the brain when we imagine, inspire, decide and connect. When leaders apply this knowledge, they can guide with greater awareness, empathy and effectiveness.

A healthy brain not only fosters better collaboration and creativity but also supports happiness and balance, qualities that ripple through entire organisations.

The Myth of Multitasking & The Cost of Focus

One of the greatest challenges we face is attention fragmentation. Constant interruptions, endless notifications and the pressure to always be available erode our ability to concentrate.

While many believe they can multitask, neuroscience shows the opposite. The brain can only effectively handle three familiar tasks and one new task at once. Anything more reduces accuracy and performance.

Giving someone your undivided attention, whether in a coaching session, meeting or conversationis powerful. But it’s also energy-intensive, relying heavily on the prefrontal cortex. This is why leaders must prioritise rest, balance and self-care if they want to sustain focus and presence.

Why Companies Should Care

Organisations often ask: “What’s the return on investment?” The answer is simple. AI can automate many routine tasks, but it can never replace:

• Human wisdom
• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Empathy and compassion

Ignoring the human side of leadership leads to disengagement, burnout and toxic cultures. By contrast, companies that prioritise brain health build resilience, innovation and long-term sustainability.

This is not just about KPIs and profits, it’s about leaving a better planet, workplace and legacy for future generations.

The Human Edge in an AI World

I love AI, it can take over tasks nobody enjoys doing and free up precious time. But if we outsource too much of our thinking to machines, we risk weakening our cognitive abilities and critical judgment.

Our responsibility as leaders is to use AI wisely while preserving the human edge: the ability to connect, imagine, create and care. Historically, communities survived and thrived by sharing stories, supporting one another and creating meaning together. AI should give us more time to reconnect with these deeply human practices.

Practical Steps for Leaders

So how do we bring brain-friendly leadership into practice? My advice is straightforward:

• Cultivate curiosity. Ask better questions of yourself, your team and even AI.
• Think long-term. Consider how today’s habits shape your brain health decades from now.
• Balance efficiency with humanity. Use technology for tasks, but keep space for meaningful human connection.
• Commit to daily practices. Sleep well, eat healthily, exercise, minimise alcohol and take mindful breaks to reset your brain.

Leaders who embrace these practices strengthen not only their own performance but also the culture of their organisations.

A Long Game for Leadership

In my interview, Angela reflected on her aspiration to live to 100, a goal that requires thinking beyond weekly tasks and focusing on the long game of brain health. I couldn’t agree more. Longevity and leadership both demand conscious choices, consistent practices and a mindset of curiosity.

For those who want to dive deeper, I explore these ideas in my book Brain-Friendly Leadership: The Nine Habits of a Future-Fit Mind.

Final Thoughts

Brain-friendly leadership is not just a personal responsibility, it’s a collective imperative. By becoming friends with our brains, we can harness technology without losing our humanity, create workplaces where people thrive and ensure that leadership in the future is both efficient and deeply empathetic.

The future of work depends on leaders who make space for focus, balance and connection. Together, let’s create workplaces where minds can flourish.

I’d love to hear your thoughts:

• How are you preserving your brain health at work?
• Where are you placing your attention?
• How are you balancing efficiency with empathy?

Let’s keep this conversation alive.

Become a Brain-Friendly
Leader & Coach

If today’s workplaces are draining our focus and wellbeing, the future belongs to leaders who understand the brain.

Attention is our most valuable resource. Through our certification programs, you’ll learn how to cultivate focus, empathy and resilience, qualities that define the leaders of tomorrow.