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The Leader's Brain: Enhance Your Leadership, Build Stronger Teams, Make Better Decisions, and Inspire Greater Innovation with Neuroscience
A pioneering neuroscientist reveals how brain science can transform how we think about leadership, team-building, decision-making, innovation, marketing, and more.
Leadership is a set of abilities with which a lucky few are born. They're the natural relationship builders, master negotiators and persuaders, and agile and strategic thinkers.
The good news for the rest of us is that those abilities can be developed. In The Leader's Brain: Enhance Your Leadership, Build Stronger Teams, Make Better Decisions, and Inspire Greater Innovation with Neuroscience , Wharton Neuroscience Initiative director Michael Platt explains how.
Over two decades as a professor and practitioner in neuroscience, psychology, and marketing, Platt's pioneering research has deepened our understanding of how key areas of the brain work--and how that understanding can be applied in business settings.
Neuroscience is providing answers to many of leadership's most vexing challenges. In The Leader's Brain , Platt explains:
Why two managers, when presented with the same set of information, make very different decisions; Why some companies (Apple) build strong social and emotional connections with their customers and others do not (Samsung); How some of the most significant events in sports history, like the "Miracle on Ice," contain insights for how to build a team; Why even some of the most visionary business leaders can make disastrous decisions, and how to fix that.
The Leader's Brain relates findings like these, and many more, to help enhance leadership in an ever-shifting world entering a "new normal."
In this fast-reading and engaging guide, you'll gain actionable insights you can put into practice as a leader. You will also learn what's going on in your team's brains when they are working in sync with one another, how you can tweak your message delivery to make sure others hear you, how to encourage greater creativity and innovation, and much more.
Leadership is a set of abilities with which a lucky few are born. They're the natural relationship builders, master negotiators and persuaders, and agile and strategic thinkers.
The good news for the rest of us is that those abilities can be developed. In The Leader's Brain: Enhance Your Leadership, Build Stronger Teams, Make Better Decisions, and Inspire Greater Innovation with Neuroscience , Wharton Neuroscience Initiative director Michael Platt explains how.
Over two decades as a professor and practitioner in neuroscience, psychology, and marketing, Platt's pioneering research has deepened our understanding of how key areas of the brain work--and how that understanding can be applied in business settings.
Neuroscience is providing answers to many of leadership's most vexing challenges. In The Leader's Brain , Platt explains:
Why two managers, when presented with the same set of information, make very different decisions; Why some companies (Apple) build strong social and emotional connections with their customers and others do not (Samsung); How some of the most significant events in sports history, like the "Miracle on Ice," contain insights for how to build a team; Why even some of the most visionary business leaders can make disastrous decisions, and how to fix that.
The Leader's Brain relates findings like these, and many more, to help enhance leadership in an ever-shifting world entering a "new normal."
In this fast-reading and engaging guide, you'll gain actionable insights you can put into practice as a leader. You will also learn what's going on in your team's brains when they are working in sync with one another, how you can tweak your message delivery to make sure others hear you, how to encourage greater creativity and innovation, and much more.
150 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2020
66 people are currently reading
2786 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 9, 2020
This book is full of a lot of good information. There were a lot of really great topics that I found interesting to read through.
My problems were with expectations. I had expectations that this book would provide some incite into improving my leadership qualities, building stronger teams, and making better decisions. However, I did not find much information in the book that actually related to these topics.
In some cases a section would have a subheading and the information in that section would have nothing to do with the subheading.
The book was full of marketing information, marketing and advertising research, and how to present products to customers. This is all great, but does not directly relate to the focus and topic of the book. There were other areas in the book that left me feeling a bit lost in the neuroscience talk.
As I said it was an interesting read. I would not consider it a book that devoted to the topic. The writer is very knowledgable and presents his thoughts very thoroughly. The main problem was structure, related material, and in some cases staying focused on the topic presented.
I did win this book as a free copy through GoodReads.
My problems were with expectations. I had expectations that this book would provide some incite into improving my leadership qualities, building stronger teams, and making better decisions. However, I did not find much information in the book that actually related to these topics.
In some cases a section would have a subheading and the information in that section would have nothing to do with the subheading.
The book was full of marketing information, marketing and advertising research, and how to present products to customers. This is all great, but does not directly relate to the focus and topic of the book. There were other areas in the book that left me feeling a bit lost in the neuroscience talk.
As I said it was an interesting read. I would not consider it a book that devoted to the topic. The writer is very knowledgable and presents his thoughts very thoroughly. The main problem was structure, related material, and in some cases staying focused on the topic presented.
I did win this book as a free copy through GoodReads.
April 26, 2022
04.2022
A pesar del hecho de que nuestro cerebro está formado por 80 billones de neuronas que se interconectan mas de 100 trillones de veces, somos sorprendentemente limitados en nuestra capacidad de procesar informacion.
Lo que mas me sorprendió de este libro es lo poco que conocemos de la neurociencia, lo incipiente que ha sido su estudio y el enorme potencial que nos abrirá un mundo hoy desconocido pero súper poderoso, para mejorar nuestra calidad de vida en la sociedad, explotar al máximo nuestras capacidades de liderazgo, que, llevadas a los negocios, vislumbran un futuro muy difícil de predecir, para bien y, esperemos que no, para mal de la humanidad.
Me abrió el apetito por explorar el campo de la neurociencia para un mejor entendimiento del ser humano y de lo que está por venir.
A pesar del hecho de que nuestro cerebro está formado por 80 billones de neuronas que se interconectan mas de 100 trillones de veces, somos sorprendentemente limitados en nuestra capacidad de procesar informacion.
Lo que mas me sorprendió de este libro es lo poco que conocemos de la neurociencia, lo incipiente que ha sido su estudio y el enorme potencial que nos abrirá un mundo hoy desconocido pero súper poderoso, para mejorar nuestra calidad de vida en la sociedad, explotar al máximo nuestras capacidades de liderazgo, que, llevadas a los negocios, vislumbran un futuro muy difícil de predecir, para bien y, esperemos que no, para mal de la humanidad.
Me abrió el apetito por explorar el campo de la neurociencia para un mejor entendimiento del ser humano y de lo que está por venir.
May 17, 2023
Thank you to Wharton School Press and GoodReads Giveaways for the review copy of The Leader’s Brain: Enhance Your Leadership, Build Stronger Teams, Make Better Decisions, and Inspire Greater Innovation with Neuroscience; which I received in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Leader’s Brain is less about how to shape your brain into one that is typical for a leader and more about how different experiences and practices impact and imprint the brain. For example, the book discusses the importance of social activities and encourages building relationships and being aware of and in contact with employees. It also argues for building strong teams, encouraging communication, and creativity.
As an educator, I find that the suggestions in business and leadership books can easily be transferred to my instruction. In many ways, teachers are leaders and their students need to be led and they need to be encouraged in their work. One helpful point was a discussion of the importance of consistency from a leader and then when employees know what is at stake, they perform better because they can predict the outcome of their behavior and work. It makes perfect sense that students need the same comfort.
The volume is thin and while it focuses on neuroscience, it explains concepts in a straightforward and easy to understand way. While not a beach read, it is quite interesting and not being overly technical it can be a leisurely read.
Would I teach The Leader’s Brain by Michael L. Platt? Probably not. It has some interesting moments and the aspects of science writing are fairly well crafted, there are better examples of both better science writing and business instruction. This would be a decent choice for a business book club or a buddy read for a company, and the length is a further recommendation.
The Leader’s Brain is less about how to shape your brain into one that is typical for a leader and more about how different experiences and practices impact and imprint the brain. For example, the book discusses the importance of social activities and encourages building relationships and being aware of and in contact with employees. It also argues for building strong teams, encouraging communication, and creativity.
As an educator, I find that the suggestions in business and leadership books can easily be transferred to my instruction. In many ways, teachers are leaders and their students need to be led and they need to be encouraged in their work. One helpful point was a discussion of the importance of consistency from a leader and then when employees know what is at stake, they perform better because they can predict the outcome of their behavior and work. It makes perfect sense that students need the same comfort.
The volume is thin and while it focuses on neuroscience, it explains concepts in a straightforward and easy to understand way. While not a beach read, it is quite interesting and not being overly technical it can be a leisurely read.
Would I teach The Leader’s Brain by Michael L. Platt? Probably not. It has some interesting moments and the aspects of science writing are fairly well crafted, there are better examples of both better science writing and business instruction. This would be a decent choice for a business book club or a buddy read for a company, and the length is a further recommendation.
August 25, 2025
Michael Platt’s The Leader’s Brain offers a fascinating dive into the intersection of neuroscience and leadership. As a neuroscientist and professor, Platt examines how the brain shapes the qualities that make effective leaders—decision-making, empathy, risk-taking, and social influence. Rather than presenting leadership as a mysterious art, he grounds it in scientific research, showing how neural circuits and biology underpin the ways leaders inspire, motivate, and connect with others. This makes the book accessible to both scientific readers and those simply curious about what truly makes great leaders tick.
What sets this book apart is Platt’s ability to translate complex neuroscience into engaging stories and practical insights. He highlights real-world examples from business, politics, and everyday life to illustrate how the science plays out in practice. For instance, he explores how leaders use social connection to build trust, or how dopamine-driven risk-taking can lead to both innovation and downfall. By blending lab findings with narrative, Platt keeps the reader engaged while also offering tools leaders can use to better understand themselves and those they lead.
Ultimately, The Leader’s Brain is a compelling mix of science, psychology, and leadership studies. It encourages readers to see leadership not just as a set of learned skills, but as something rooted in our biology—yet adaptable through awareness and practice. For anyone interested in becoming a more empathetic, strategic, and effective leader, this book provides both the science and the inspiration to do so.
What sets this book apart is Platt’s ability to translate complex neuroscience into engaging stories and practical insights. He highlights real-world examples from business, politics, and everyday life to illustrate how the science plays out in practice. For instance, he explores how leaders use social connection to build trust, or how dopamine-driven risk-taking can lead to both innovation and downfall. By blending lab findings with narrative, Platt keeps the reader engaged while also offering tools leaders can use to better understand themselves and those they lead.
Ultimately, The Leader’s Brain is a compelling mix of science, psychology, and leadership studies. It encourages readers to see leadership not just as a set of learned skills, but as something rooted in our biology—yet adaptable through awareness and practice. For anyone interested in becoming a more empathetic, strategic, and effective leader, this book provides both the science and the inspiration to do so.
July 21, 2023
Fascinating insight into the latest findings in the field of neuroscience, with specific focus on some key learnings that can be implemented by business leaders.
Of course, as with any predictive science, I found some of the suggested uses of neuroscience to be borderline manipulative! Raises a lot of ethical questions, which thankfully the author also seems to be aware of. There is an entire chapter on moral ambiguity and ethical ramifications of applying neuroscience to business, especially marketing.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to someone interested in learning the science behind how the brain works - decision making, effective incentives, communication, creativity and building team chemistry. All are critical knowledge for anyone dealing with people or leading them! It is technical to a large extent, but the examples and anecdotes make the facts quite relatable.
Of course, as with any predictive science, I found some of the suggested uses of neuroscience to be borderline manipulative! Raises a lot of ethical questions, which thankfully the author also seems to be aware of. There is an entire chapter on moral ambiguity and ethical ramifications of applying neuroscience to business, especially marketing.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to someone interested in learning the science behind how the brain works - decision making, effective incentives, communication, creativity and building team chemistry. All are critical knowledge for anyone dealing with people or leading them! It is technical to a large extent, but the examples and anecdotes make the facts quite relatable.
August 5, 2023
This book had a lot of interesting information about the neuroscience behind various leadership and business-related topics and was a relatively quick read. I gave it 3 stars because not much of this information was shared in a way that is applicable to most people in leadership settings. Much of the application is currently theoretical.
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2023
A well researched and written text. Building relationships is one of the toughest jobs to perform as a leader but they require the work and constant updates and this book gives one many positive ways to accomplish this as a leader, regardless of ones position. Well worth the time investment to read.
June 26, 2021
Fascinating book on the Leaders Brain
Very interesting and useful book on what to understand and how to apply science grounded principles to leading in whatever capacity that means.
Very interesting and useful book on what to understand and how to apply science grounded principles to leading in whatever capacity that means.
July 23, 2022
I Love Neuroscience
I read this book as part of an experiment/book club through my firm. I loved it. I learned a different way of thinking about working with and leading teams. Everyone would benefit from this book and having more science in their life…
I read this book as part of an experiment/book club through my firm. I loved it. I learned a different way of thinking about working with and leading teams. Everyone would benefit from this book and having more science in their life…
April 23, 2023
Thank you to Wharton School Press for a copy of this book. I found this book very useful and full of important information. I kept having to reread chapters to make sure I didn't miss anything. I will definitely be rereading. This book is short, well organized and concise.
July 15, 2023
Well done. This is science and storytelling that make sense, are not overly specific and have practical applications. Platt is a pro—and an engaging one who is redefining how business and neuroscience collaborate.
November 26, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book as it gave very practical ways to incorporate the findings of neuroscience into leadership activities.
April 17, 2021
I liked the linkage between neuroscience and leadership decisions, teams’ synergy as well as the potential new horizons that it will open for businesses. Highly recommend.
August 16, 2021
Underwhelmed
No original idea or unique perspectives. Touched only lightly on the subject of neuroscience with no new leadership concept or protocol.
No original idea or unique perspectives. Touched only lightly on the subject of neuroscience with no new leadership concept or protocol.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews