How Organizational Neuroscience and Self-Determination Theory Explain Neuro-Leadership

Abstract

Organizational neuroscience (ON) explores new brain research alternatives and contributes to HR field for further understanding of human behaviour and decision-making process. Also, ON studies provide opportunities to extend leadership approach that is one the most interesting research area of organizational behaviour through latest discoveries on neural activation pathway during decision process. However, without taking into consideration of psychological theories behind the leadership philosophy, ON would not be enough to explain and improve leadership behavioural patterns. At this point, Self-determination theory (SDT) will present detail explanation of intrinsic motivational factors that are the main success factors of leaders. Neuro-leadership use SDT factors that are autonomy, relatedness and competence to go one step further on upcoming leadership theories. Neuro-leadership will be a tie between psychological theories and organizational neuroscience. This article illustrate how neuroscience, psychology and leadership approaches can be combined to address how to enhance leadership skills in business environment and the new way of shaping leadership behavioral pattern. In addition to Neuro-leadership approach of SCRAF model, emotional regulation ability should become a recent research area for leadership studies. Contemporary leadership development training should comprise sessions for reappraising environmental stimulus on positive way while dealing with managerial problems on the business settings.