The pandemic has changed our lives and our workplaces profoundly. Almost all companies and organizations need to respond to the short-term crisis (virtual workforce, new safety measures, shift in strategy, cash flow, etc.), while at the same time planning for an unpredictable future that involves plenty of change and uncertainty.  Under these circumstances, how do leaders lead their teams?  How can a leader avoid blind spots when making key decisions?  And how can a leader better understand what influences followers’ decisions?
The Performance Excellence Network  is pleased to host an online webinar discussion on Thursday, October 29: “Why The Brain Follows: the Neuroscience of Leadership.”  The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Terry Wu of Neuromarketing Services.

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of leadership development: certain old ideas and methods don’t apply during such an unprecedented crisis, and some leadership skills based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence have become irrelevant. It is time to bring the science of decision-making to leadership.  The “Neuroscience of Leadership” is about understanding how leaders decide to lead and why followers decide to follow. When guided by science, you, as a leader, can make better decisions that make you a smart, respected, successful leader.

In his talk, Terry will share which brain structures are involved in human emotions and decisions, helping you explore how emotions can influence your decisions unconsciously.  You will discover why humans follow and trust the crowd, as well as the big difference between empathy and compassion.

During the session, we will explore answers to questions like these:

• What is the relationship between emotions and decisions?
• What are some of the blind spots in leaders’ decision making?
• How can leaders make people feel safe?
• Why leading with empathy can be counterproductive?
• Why does a “positive attitude” sometimes backfire?

The discussion will be a live Zoom Webinar Thursday, October 29 from 8:00-9:00 CT.  Grab your coffee and breakfast, and join us for a rich discussion.  Free for PEN members; $20 for non-members.

Biography

Dr. Terry Wu received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University. He has a 30-year career in Neuroscience. He started his own marketing firm over 18 years ago, giving his clients a strong competitive edge by applying insights from Neuroscience and Psychology. His combined knowledge and experience in both Neuroscience and business led him to conduct research on the Neuroscience of Leadership in decision making. He found that many Neuroscience-based sales and marketing principles can be applied to leadership. He often speaks about the science that guides how leaders should lead and why people follow.

In May, 2019, Dr. Wu gave a TED Talk on Neuromarketing. His talk (which you can see here!) has been extremely well received by Neuromarketing experts as well as the general public. His talk has been raising awareness about this new, scientific approach to marketing, and he’s moved his research into the science of leadership.

Terry is one of seven expert speakers at PEN’s upcoming “Resilience Retreat” November 17 online, where he will dive deeper into the neuroscience of leadership and how it impacts decision making, issues regarding diversity & inclusion, and behaviors that influence today’s “tribal” environment.  More information here.