Over the last several decades, advanced brain research has taught us a tremendous amount about how the human brain functions. And while the applications of this research are many, perhaps none is more fascinating than how brain research and human intelligence affects leadership and organizational success, especially as it relates to male and female leaders and the "integrated leadership" model.
In her groundbreaking books, "The Female Brain" and "The Male Brain," neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine, M.D., offers the physiological evidence for what we've always known: men and women are different. (No big surprise there!) Brizendine, who has extensively studied gender brain differences, explains that the unique structure of the female and male brain determines how each gender thinks, what they value, and how they communicate.
She argues that the differences between men's and women's brains explain the considerable differences in how they operate in the workplace -- how they lead, communicate, act, react, problem solve, make decisions and work together. Different brains drive different behaviors, which lead to different outcomes. Men tend to be more competitive, evidence based, results oriented and present-focused. Women, on the other hand, tend to be more collaborative, intuitive, empathetic and future-focused, her book claims. Certainly, both men and women can and do possess the traits of both genders, but because of their brain structure, each gender is geared toward natural tendencies.
Now consider the work of Ned Herrmann, author of "The Whole Brain Business" (McGraw-Hill), who pioneered the study of the brain and its impact in business while working at General Electric. Herrmann discovered that the brain is comprised of four specialized thinking clusters, or quadrants, that control the way we learn, view the world, interpret and process information and interact with others. These four areas correlate to specific thinking preferences: 1) analytical and logical, 2) organized and results-oriented, 3) intuitive and relationship-oriented (emotional intelligence) and 4) creative and big picture-oriented. One of the key principles of Herrmann's whole-brain concept is that when we utilize all of the brain's four quadrants, we are more efficient and productive and perform better.
Just as individuals achieve better results when they use their whole brain, organizations perform better and achieve better results when they utilize and leverage the characteristics of the four quadrants of the brain. If we overlay the concept of whole-brain thinking with the proven brain differences between men and women, we discover the scientific evidence behind the integrated leadership model, which embraces and leverages the strengths of both men and women leaders (and their brains). When organizations adopt this integrated leadership approach, there is a significant, positive effect. I call this the "integration quotient":
Male Traits + Female Traits = Better Business Outcomes
Here are just a few examples of how the Integration Quotient can produce better outcomes in organizations:
- Analytical Thinking + Creative Ideas = Realistic Innovation
Fact-Based Approach + Empathy = Results-Focused Engagement Clear, Concise Information + Collaborative, Free-flow Conversation = Dynamic Exploration Rapid Decision Making + Cautious, Consultative Thought = Balanced Decisions The bottom line is this: Better balanced leadership leads to better business results. But therein lies the challenge! Organizations are not balanced at the senior and executive leadership levels. After all these years, only 12 Fortune 500 Companies are run by women. What this means, in effect, is that organizations have been using only half of their "brain" (i.e., leadership capacity), because most senior leadership teams have been predominately comprised of men. Now, some people will tell you that this approach has worked. My question is this: How successful would you be if you were only using half of your brain? Not very!
So, if you lead a team or an organization and you want better business results, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you embracing an integrated leadership model?
How balanced is your leadership team? What is the proportion of men to women? Does your team provide the whole spectrum of traits, dispositions, strengths and behaviors necessary to ensure you are achieving integrated outcomes?Feel free to share your experiences and comments below.
To learn more about SHAMBAUGH's leadership and organizational development, employee engagement, and coaching services, visit: www.shambaughleadership.com
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.