Social Intelligence and the Biology of Leadership by Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis

Harvard Business Review September 2008

Reprint No: R0809E

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     New studies show that leaders can improve group performance by understanding the biology of empathy. The authors believe that great leaders are those whose behavior powerfully leverages the system of brain interconnectedness. Leading effectively is less about mastering situations or social skill sets than about developing genuine interest in and talent for fostering positive feelings in the people whose cooperation and support you need.

     Social intelligence is a relationship-based construct for assessing leadership defined as a set of interpersonal competencies built on specific neural circuits (and related endocrine systems) that inspire others to be effective. The definition of social intelligence has a biological underpinning and draws from the work of neuroscientists, the authors’ own research and consulting endeavors and the findings of researchers with the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. Newly acquired knowledge about mirror neurons, spindle cells, and oscillators are translated into practical, socially intelligent behaviors that can reinforce the neural links between the leader and his followers. The authors explore their impact in the following topic areas of the article:

• Followers Mirror their Leaders – Literally
  Behavioral neuroscience has recently identified mirror neurons in widely dispersed areas of the brain. They are a previously unknown class of brain cells operating as neural Wi-Fi, allowing us to navigate our social world.
• The “Finely Attuned” Leader
  Leading from the gut is characterized by leadership scholars as an ability to recognize patterns, usually born of extensive experience. They advise – trust your gut, but get lots of input as you make decisions.
• Firing Up Your Social Neurons
  Video analysis of Herb Kelleher, cofounder and former CEO of Southwest Airlines is a good example of activating mirror neurons, oscillators, and other social circuitry in each person he encountered. He got back exactly what he gave – beaming smiles, handshakes and hugs.
• How To Become Socially Smarter
  A top executive hired as a marketing manager by a Fortune 500 company because of her business expertise, outstanding track record as a strategic thinker and planner, reputation as a straight talker, and ability to anticipate business issues that were crucial for meeting goals soon backfired within six months on the job.
• Hard Metrics of Social Intelligence
  The authors’ research over the past decade confirms a large performance gap between socially intelligent and socially unintelligent leaders.