About the Book
In this updated and expanded edition of his groundbreaking book, Wharton Neuroscience Initiative director Michael Platt reveals how the latest advances in neuroscience—including new insights from artificial intelligence—are transforming our understanding of effective leadership.
Drawing on more than two decades of research at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and business, Platt reveals how leaders can develop critical abilities through understanding the brain's inner workings. In The Leader's Brain, Expanded and Updated, Platt offers the latest cutting-edge insights on what neuroscience can teach us about how to be a better leader.
In an all-new chapter on generative artificial intelligence (AI), Platt reveals how visionary leaders can harmonize human limitations with AI's boundless potential. He introduces three essential skills for AI-ready leadership and offers practical strategies for fostering workplace cultures where technology enhances rather than disrupts human connection. In the process, he illuminates the path to a more intuitive, ethical, and productive partnership between human intelligence and its artificial counterpart.
Neuroscience provides answers to many of the most vexing challenges leader's face, including:
+ Why different managers make vastly different decisions when presented with identical information
+ How companies like Apple build strong emotional connections with customers while others fail
+ What neuroscience teaches us about building high-performing teams
+ How to avoid common decision-making traps that plague even visionary leaders
+ What secrets AI can reveal about the brain
+ Techniques for optimizing communication and inspiring innovation
The Leader's Brain, Updated and Expanded, provides an essential blueprint for leadership development in a rapidly evolving business landscape where artificial intelligence and human potential must work in harmony. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, it offers evidence-based insights to help you lead more effectively in our technology-driven world.
About the Author :
Michael Platt is a scientist known for asking some of the most challenging questions in 21st century neuroscience—and conceiving innovative ways to find the answers. He focuses on applying insights and technology from brain science to business, particularly questions in marketing, management, finance, and innovation.
As a Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, he has appointments in the Department of Neuroscience in the Perelman School of Medicine, the Department of Psychology in the School of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Marketing in the Wharton School. He is also Director of Wharton Neuroscience Initiative and an Affiliated Faculty Fellow of the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative. A revered instructor, Platt won the Master Teacher/Clinician Award from the Duke University School of Medicine and the Teaching Commitment and Curricular Innovation Award from the Wharton School. He is the former Director of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke and the founding Co-Director of the Duke Center for Neuroeconomic Studies.
Platt's work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, The Guardian, and National Geographic, as well as on ABC's Good Morning America, NPR, CBC, BBC, MTV, and HBO Vice.
Review :
"It's exceedingly rare to find a book that draws on data and established principles from the field of neuroscience that is written by an actual neuroscientist, much less one of the top researchers in the field. The Leader's Brain by Michael Platt is that book. It delivers practical tools to guide optimal decision making, creativity and innovation in the context of organizations of any size. It also allows you to understand why these tools work while so many other commonly held leadership tactics fall short. It all boils down to the inner workings of our social and decision-making brain networks, which Platt clearly explains. The Leader's Brain should be required reading for anyone leading and working with others." (Andrew D. Huberman, Department of Neurobiology & Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine and Host of the Huberman Lab Podcast) "If Ted Lasso had a PhD in neuroscience, he'd write a book like this. In The Leader's Brain, Michael Platt makes complex brain science as clear, practical, and relevant as a championship locker room pep talk. The new AI chapter is a mind-expanding upgrade that turns neuroscience into your leadership GPS for the exponential era. This isn't just a leadership book—it's a guide to building Brain Capital and staying human in an increasingly automated world. If you want to lead better, think smarter, re-wire and future-proof your brain, this is your playbook. The Leader's Brain belongs on your desk, your nightstand, and your prefrontal cortex." (Chris Nolan, 3x Emmy-winning director, Co-Creator of VUCA MAX and The Rise of Humanness Podcast) "Great leadership isn't just about instincts—it's about understanding how our minds shape the way we connect, decide, and innovate. Which is why The Leader's Brain is absolutely essential reading for anyone who wants a science-based approach to becoming a more effective leader." (Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast) "As marketing becomes increasingly data-driven, the leaders who will drive future growth are those who can blend high scientific rigor with human insight and expertise. In this expanded edition of The Leader's Brain, Michael Platt reveals how neuroscience can craft better brand strategies, fuel creativity, and strengthen the human connections that AI alone cannot replicate today. This is an essential guide for leaders who want to understand their customers better than they understand themselves." (Sorin Patillinet, Head of Marketing Effectiveness, PepsiCo; former Senior Director of Marketing Effectiveness, Mars, Inc.) "At BTG Pactual, leadership happens shoulder to shoulder—no corner offices, just open conversations with the goal reaching the right decision independent of who brought the suggestion. The Leader's Brain captures that spirit perfectly. Michael Platt shows how neuroscience can elevate performance, trust, and connection in exactly the kinds of dynamic environments where bosses become leaders." (Roberto Sallouti, CEO, BTG Pactual) "In a time when AI reshapes the rules and volatility defines the terrain, leadership requires more than instincts—it needs cognitive range, emotional acuity, and the courage to challenge inherited thinking (and engrained 'systems'). Backed by science, The Leader's Brain offers a blueprint for leaders who thrive on ambiguity, build through trust, and move with purpose towards the future." (Deborah Golden, Chief Innovation Officer, Deloitte) "Working closely with Michael and his team, I've seen the transformative impact of his research. Michael's ability to translate complex neuroscience into actionable strategies makes this book essential for anyone managing athletes, coaches, or high-performing staff. His exploration of the social brain network and its influence on team dynamics is particularly relevant for our industry. In the fast-paced world of professional sports, where every decision matters, Platt's insights are a game-changer. I highly recommend The Leader's Brain to anyone committed to becoming a more effective and inspiring leader." (Ian McKeown, Vice President, Athlete Performance & Wellness, Philadelphia Flyers)
