Imagine two teams in the same company with the same goals, resources, and deadlines. One team always excels, handling challenges well, while the other falters at the first sign of trouble. Why the difference? It might not be about strategy or tech, but how their brains work.
In my experience coaching tech leaders, I’ve found that leadership success is closely tied to understanding emotions. I am sure there are different approaches to explain this. I came across the Care Circuit concept in Tim Desmond’s books ‚How to Stay Human in a F*cked-Up World‘ and ‚Self-Compassion‘ (German title: Shit Happens). Desmond says that using the Care Circuit helps manage emotional stress and can be strengthened with practice and self-compassion. He refers to the research of scientists like Barbara Fredrickson, Kristin Neff, and Sonja Lyubomirsky, who have documented how positive emotions, especially compassion, increase our ability to see more possibilities, take another person’s perspective, perform better on cognitive tasks, and even reduce the incidence of heart disease and cancer (Source Greater Good).
One of the leading researchers in this area – Care Circuit – is Dr. Jaak Panksepp, a pioneering figure in the field of affective neuroscience who is known for his work about the role of emotions in our brain. Panksepp’s research has shown that the „care circuit“ is a neural circuit in the prefrontal cortex that is responsible for processing information related to social relationships, empathy, and emotional regulation. It is activated when we experience positive social interactions, such as when we feel cared for, supported, or valued by others.
When team members feel valued and supported, it boosts their emotional well-being and improves team performance. Panksepp’s research highlights the importance of emotional connections in leadership, showing that good leadership starts with understanding and using the care circuit. I find it particularly fascinating to observe how psychological principles intersect with biological processes within our bodies, underscoring the complex connection between our mental and physical well-being. Much of my thinking and writing circles around this topic.
Adding to this, Daniel Goleman’s idea of emotional intelligence deepens our understanding of great leadership. Goleman asserts that the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as empathize with the emotions of others, is indispensable for leaders. Emotional intelligence, backed by neuroscience, is crucial for making decisions, inspiring motivation, and building strong relationships. This synergy between Goleman’s emotional intelligence framework and Panksepp’s neurological findings presents a compelling case for a leadership approach that is deeply rooted in empathy and emotional awareness.
Using Neuroscience in Leadership
We can extract three lessons for leaders in the tech industry, as well as in general, as these insights are timeless and applicable across disciplines:
Lesson 1
Building positive relationships is key for good leadership. By using the care circuit, leaders can create a supportive work environment that encourages teamwork, creativity, and high performance. This means showing genuine interest in the well-being of team members, providing emotional support, and recognizing their contributions.
"Effective leadership is not about being tough or soft, sensitive or assertive, but about a set of attributes. First and foremost is emotional intelligence - the leader's ability to understand and manage his or her own emotions and those of the people around them." Dr. Jaak Panksepp
LESSON 2
Empathy and emotional control are crucial for leaders. The care circuit helps in handling emotions and managing our responses. By developing these skills, leaders can better understand the needs and perspectives of team members, and respond to challenges and conflicts in a constructive and positive way.
LESSON 3
Self-care is vital for healthy leadership. Just like the care circuit gets activated by others‘ support, it also needs self-care practices like mindfulness, exercise, and relaxation. By prioritizing self-care, leaders can maintain their own well-being, which in turn can positively impact their ability to lead others.
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Now it’s your turn. Let’s get from theory to practice with three questions to reflect on, empowering you to apply these timeless and discipline-less insights in your leadership journey:
"Certainly emotional intelligence is more rare than book smarts, but my experience says it is actually more important in the making of a leader." - Daniel Goleman
About Jaak Panksepp
Jaak Panksepp (1943-2017) was a pioneering neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking research in affective neuroscience, focusing on the neural mechanisms of emotions in both animals and humans. He identified seven core emotional systems in the brain, proposing their evolutionary significance and impact on behavior and social interactions. Panksepp’s work highlighted the fundamental role of emotions in decision-making, social bonding, and overall well-being, shaping our understanding of the brain and human psychology.
Further Readings & related work
Throughout his career, Panksepp published numerous research papers and authored several books, including "Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions," which became a seminal text in the field.