Leadership Brain Definition of a leader Core definition

Leadership –Brain

Definition of a leader � Core definition – Leader is making decisions › Good leaders make decisions � Leaders must acquire the ability to distinguish between good and bad decisions � Leader must possess two complimentary skills › Critical thinking › Intuition

Critical Thinking � Using reason and logic is a core skill of leaders � Critical thinking involves › Acquiring information › Analyzing information › Evaluating information

Acquire Information � Acquire appropriate and rich information � Where can we get the information we need to make good decisions? › Other People �Ask individuals what they think �Seek information from all levels › Research �Practice finding information �Internet, books, files

Analyze Information Need to apply logic to analyze the usefulness and validity of info � Three principles determine truth and relevance of info � › Consistency �Is the info consistent or different from other sources �What does inconsistency tell us? › Soundness �Look into the basis of the argument �What are the core principles of the argument? �Is there a connection between sound & consistent? �What happens if a premise is false? › Completeness �The extent of information we have �Does the research fit together? �Are there still questions left?

Evaluate Information � Taking all we have done and making judgments � Judgment – Combines logical analysis with other factors › Previous experiences › Values › Different perspectives � Must connect information and analysis to our hopes and fears, beliefs and principles to make decisions

Trust Intuition � Many experts don’t use a reasoned approach when making a decision – Go by their “gut” � We are capable of taking in more information then we can � There is more then ONE right answer › Leaders are stopped from making decisions because they want to find “the right” answer › Learn to trust answer that don’t have to be right forever – enough that they are right for now

Notice Your Bias � Intuition is related to prejudices � What are examples of bias? � Prejudice relates to people and situations � To trust intuition – Learn to notice your potential bias in each gut reaction

Speak With Confidence � Difficult to communicate with others why you made an intuitive decision › People are looking for facts and evidence › Question a decision � Learn to speak with confidence when making a decision – logical or intuitive

Accept Responsibility � Intuitive decisions don’t have the benefit of logical evidence � People with different intuitions might make different and equally right choices � Must accept ultimate responsibility for decisions � Need to acknowledge poor decisions and learn from them