NeuroEffective Leadership

"This book is very informative and explains a topic that could be overwhelming, in a way that is easily digestible, understood, and relevant. I loved this book, it is a leader’s dream handbook as it explains the concept, helps the reader reflect, and provides highly practical advice that can be used in the workplace. This book has a lovely reflective nature that encourages both learning and embedding of the material. I particularly like that each chapter is standalone, allowing the reader to dip in and out to suit the need at the time."

Sara Wright,Associate Fellow, Oxford SaÏd Business School and founder of Navigating Choices

"The authors clearly explain the various parts of the brain and how the different facets of the brain affect emotions and behaviours. Leadership is at the heart of any organisation. In this excellent book the complex behaviour of executive leadership is explained with a fresh and practical approach, giving many examples how leadership behaviour can influence subordinates and the wider team, with clear examples on how adverse behaviour can be rectified to deliver a positive outcome. The book focuses on what leaders need to change to consistently deliver better results. The book isn’t about simply adopting new techniques, it is about the understanding the subconscious drivers, emotional triggers that shape leadership behaviour. By explaining the various facets of the brain, the authors give a clear understanding of what is driving the behaviour of the executive, with clear examples of how to positively rectify adverse behaviour to achieve a better result. The authors skilfully pull together research from behavioural psychology, leadership theory and organisational dynamics , in a simply understanding way. The book will challenge leaders to rethink how to get a better understanding of themselves, their team and the dynamics of the team. Changes start from within and if a leader is prepared to make the fundamental changes to their behaviour, this book will greatly help them to achieve their goals in this regard. As a result, they will be seen to be a more effective leader by their subordinates, the wider team and their peers. The authors have clearly captured the elements to become a better leader that will benefit not just themselves but also the wider organisation."

John Jackson, FCCA

"Getting to grips with an emerging field of science requires an expert guide. Tricia Riddell is my expert guide through the field of neuroscience. And now she and Ian McDermott have provided a guide for us all, enabling us to understand the field, ourselves and how to become better leaders. That is why this book is invaluable."

Professor David Pendleton, Professor in Leadership, Henley Business School

"There are few better experts in the field than the authors of this book. NeuroEffective Leadership provides a deep dive into understanding the emerging science of the brain and how we as leaders can leverage this understanding to enhance our understanding of ourselves and our relationships with others. From part one with its focus how leaders can better manage our stress and anxiety to moving from rumination to action to part two which focuses on working with and motivating our teams, this book is a practical guide for today’s neuro-informed leaders from today’s neuroscience experts.” Professor Jonathan Passmore, Professor of Coaching and Behavioural Change, Henley Business School

"Having collaborated with Patricia Riddell on The Neuroscience of Leadership Coaching in 2015, I am delighted to see how Patricia and Ian have taken their excellent collaboration in the development of leadership effectiveness to the next level in this new book. An understanding of how the brain works, and how we can consciously choose to behave in ways that make us as effective as possible is probably the most important learning a practising leader (or human being) can make. The trainings run by Ian, which I attended in the 90’s, helped me identify how to make links between the ‘science’ offered by new Neuroscience insights becoming available, and coaching and leadership development theory. Meeting Patricia Riddell enabled me to understand the science in the most accessible way. The MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change at Henley reflected this thinking when we developed it in 2004. This has continued into the field of Leadership Coaching, both in practice and as a topic in Leadership Development programmes as part of Executive Education. I would suggest that this new book, NeuroEffective Leadership, is an essential read for anyone wishing to operate as a more effective human being."

Dr. Patricia Bossons, CPsychol, Founder, Henley Centre for Coaching and Behavioural Change, Henley Business School UK

"Everyone, irrespective of their leadership experience, can learn from this book. Patricia Riddell and Ian McDermott skilfully guide you through the fundamentals and subtle complexities of leadership, with an excellent selection of topics and content structured in a format to make your learning purposeful and effective. (You can read the chapters in order or select them by topic, giving you flexibility whatever your learning style and requirements.) The authors expertly combine evidence-based neuroscience with their extensive experience of leadership to explain in clear terms how, why, and where the ideas, tools, and techniques in the book work and make a convincing and compelling case with many examples of successful application in the real world. This is the premise of neuro-effective leadership; you learn to work with your brain and the brains of others, thereby gaining greater self-awareness and understanding of different perspectives, which in turn empower you to choose behaviours that are more effective for you and your followers. Think of what you can achieve as a neuro-effective leader - more informed choices, better decisions, improved outcomes for you and your followers, and how much wear and tear on people you can avoid! If you are already experiencing undue stress, anxiety, or depression, there are chapters in the book full of practical help and advice to reduce these and recover. If you have time to read only one book on leadership, this is the book I recommend."

Mandy Geal, Founder of Learning Partners