I find neuroscience fascinating, partly because of the speed at which we are learning about ourselves and the huge potential we have to improve our lot in life and the potential to create better societies and physical environments.
As I continue to develop as a coach and change leader (so to speak), one great conversation at a time, the embodied or somatic side of being human becomes more and more intriguing, especially when it comes to how we store and process information.
The human body just knows stuff that we take for granted, and spending more time being conscious of this can really help people in their own development, it's incredible how many people just don't think about this, but I find it to be really important in a person's development to help them be all that they can be, mind, body and soul.
There are also critics of neuroscience and coaching, partly because many who talk about it aren't neuroscientists and question how much it can therefore be part of coaching in a meaningful way, rather than a fad. I would say we need more curiosity, research, and practice based feedback to help develop the arguments and take the conversations from what some call pseudo-science to a better level of understanding and application. I would also say that the Western discourse regarding science over other more spiritual and embodied ideas of nature and connectedness means we have potentially lost sight of some deeper knowledge which is less easy to prove scientifically, but is non the less relevant and empirically true. I recently came across the idea of relational ontology which shifts the focus from human centric ontology to the importance and ontology of all things and how we can learn from what it might mean to be something else, and then question from a phenomenological perspective what the experience is of other aspects of our world, be it an animal, nature itself, our ancestors and our generations to come. This type of knowledge seems to be available in other cultures, especially first nation peoples, but less so in western psyche.
My plea is to keep an open mind, stay curious and be critical in reflection especially in the world of leadership development, because I have no doubt that new world expectations require new world leaders, people who are more open to sustainable actions and networks.
Have a read of this article to see what is being discovered about us, and see what you think.
Then check out some of the new types of leadership development available through organisations like:
Elnor's Corner Leadership
These organisations in my view are offering something contemporary and very relevant for what comes next in leadership to develop socially responsible and sustainable organisations and networks that are meaningful & sustainable for a better future.