I recently spent an eye-opening weekend diving deep into the mysteries of the mind with Dr. Mario Beauregard, a neuroscientist whose work on consciousness has left me rethinking… well, my own thinking. You see, Mario dropped some knowledge that really hit home for me, and I think it will strike a chord with many leaders too.
Here’s the kicker: the average person has between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts per day, and most of them are repetitive. Worse, around 80% of those thoughts are negative. Yep, our minds are full of repeated, self-sabotaging thoughts that have a serious impact on how we feel, how we act, and—spoiler alert—how we lead.
As a leader, you might think, “Sure, I have bad days, but it doesn’t affect my team or my decisions.” Well, science says otherwise. Let me break it down for you (don’t worry, I’ll spare you the neuroscience jargon).
Your brain translates your thoughts in chemical & electric signals
According to Mario, our brains act like a filter or interface, taking all those swirling thoughts and translating them into neurochemical and neuroelectric signals. These signals influence everything from our moods to how we interact with the people around us. And, those negative, stress-inducing thoughts? They’re not just buzzing around in your head—they’re actively reshaping your brain and impacting your body.
In fact, every time we allow negative thoughts to take the wheel, our serotonin levels drop and cortisol (the stress hormone we all love to haten and that plays such a big role in cases of burnout) shoots up. And if that weren’t enough, high levels of cortisol and adrenaline over time can even weaken your immune system and mess with your epigenetics.
So, What Are You Feeding Your Mind?
This made me pay more attention to what am I feeding my mind daily? Am I letting worry, stress, and negative narratives rule the day? Because, whether I like it or not, those thoughts have a direct impact not just on me, but on how I show up for others - my relatives, my clients, and even my dogs (who, let’s be honest, know when I’m stressed before I do).
Your thoughts aren't just about you. The vibes you’re putting out, consciously or not, affect the people around you. A stressed-out leader isn’t just dealing with their own issues; they’re unintentionally influencing the stress levels of their team. It’s like a ripple effect of cortisol, amplified my mirror neurons.
The Science of Shifting Thought Patterns
We can actually do something about it. The brain has this amazing ability called neuroplasticity, which means it can rewire itself based on new experiences and thought patterns. That’s where mindfulness, positive thinking, and even narrative coaching come into play.
Personally, I’ve found narrative practices - thanks to the brilliant work of David Epston and Michael White - to be a game-changer. It helps rewrite the internal stories people and even communities tell themselves, shifting away from limiting beliefs and toward more empowering mental narratives. And if you’re thinking this sounds a bit woo-woo, let me assure you: it’s backed by science.
Practical Tools to Cultivate Positive Leadership
So, how can you start steering your thought train in the right direction?
Here’s what I’ve found helpful:
- Mindfulness Practices: no need to become a full-time meditator (unless that’s your jam). A few minutes of mindfulness each day helps you step back, observe your thoughts, and stop them from running on autopilot.
- Gratitude Journals: I know, I know... Everyone’s talking about gratitude. But here’s the thing: it works. Writing down three things you’re grateful for can literally boost your serotonin levels. Consider it brain food for positive thinking.
- Self-Affirmations: it may feel cheesy at first, but talking to yourself kindly has a way of rewiring your brain over time. Instead of feeding your brain the usual “I can’t do this,” try “I’ve faced challenges before and I’ve come out stronger.”
- Narrative Coaching: this is one of my go-to methods. It helps you identify and reshape those old mental stories that don’t serve you. Instead of letting those negative loops run in the background, you start creating narratives that empower rather than limit.
The Bottom Line: Leadership Starts in Your Mind
Ultimately, my weekend retreat with a neuroscientist reminded me of an important lesson: leadership doesn’t start with strategy or vision; it starts with your inner dialogue. The thoughts you cultivate every day are shaping the reality you live in - and the reality you create and cultivate for those around you. Master your mind first.
So, what are those repetitive thoughts you are currently cultivating? And how will you shift them to build the future you want—not just for yourself, but for your entire team?
So basically, the trick is making sure those thoughts are working for you, not against you.