(Fitbit.Com, 2015).

“Leadership, Learning and Cardio?”Jane L. Ryan, Author

March 18, 2015

What does leadership development have to do with cardiovascular exercise? The answer is simple—“a lot”. Here is why. In today’s ever changing, ever challenging, ever competitive business markets the demand for leadership development becomes more and more evident. A day doesn’t go by that someone, somewhere has not written about the demand for strong leadership. Although, when we hear the need for strong leaders, our minds immediate go to how effective and successful some leaders are versus others. Or, what knowledge, skills and abilities make up a strong leader. It seems many have an opinion on this topic and the characteristics of a strong leader. This article takes a closer look at not only the behaviors that make strong leaders. It looks at both the psychological as well as the physiological characteristics that make strong leadership.

A thought provoking study was done on the “Beneficial effects of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and cognition” by scientists Kirsten Hötting and Brigitte Röder (2013). I found this study interesting because it’s findings point to the direct correlation between the positive effects of physical activity on executive functions and memory in humans. This intrigued me because learning and acquiring new skills come from our brain’s ability to adapt and change (“neuroplasticity”). According to Hötting and Röder (2013) “Convergent evidence from both human and animal studies suggests that physical activity facilitates neuroplasticity of certain brain structures and as a result improved cognition ‘cognitive functions’.” The findings suggest that physical exercise may enhance

and help maintain an individual’s cognitive capacity to respond effectively to new demands. We all know leaders face new demands daily as they strive to build innovative, competitive and sustainable business models. Hötting and Röder concluded, “new data suggest that to maintain the neuro-cognitive benefits induced by physical exercise, an increase in the cardiovascular fitness level must be maintained” (Hötting & Röder, 2013).

Here is a question I would like to pose. What if combining physical fitness and cognitive training took a center seat as an innovative approach to leadership development? Understanding the relationship between physical fitness and our ability to improve our cognition via cardiovascular activities—could leadership learning and development benefit from a curriculum that addresses both? Said another way “would improving a person’s leadership strength physiologically as well as psychologically improve executive functions and memory in a way that would improve their leadership skills and produce a more effective leadership learning and development outcome? Forbes published an article by Carmine Gallo, contributor writing about success, leadership and communications entitled “Successful Leaders Commit to Staying Fit” (Gallo, 2013). This article offers a few examples of leaders incorporating physical and mental fitness into their daily lives.

Oracle CEO, Larry Ellison is proud of his commitment to fitness. Gallo comments “Larry Ellison is in great shape and is proud of his commitment to fitness. He races sailboats, which is physically demanding. Larry is 68 years old and runs a successful organization and looks a lot younger than his age” (Gallo, 2013).

Gallo continued to list other leaders who with incredible stamina who have chosen to include physical fitness into their lives. Apple CEO Tim Cook is the most energetic person in the room after a 12-hour flight. He is a fitness buff who works out, hikes and cycles. ReadyTalk, Dan King, takes his zest for fitness to his employees and offers free yoga, massages, and subsidized gym membership. King told reporters ‘People taking care of themselves are going to have higher levels of energy and are going to be more balanced in terms of work life.’ Barack Obama works out every morning, Mitt Romney jogs daily, and Congressman Paul Ryan is devoted to an extreme fitness program called P90X.” (Gallo, 2013).

Brent Gleeson, contributor to Forbes covering leadership and marketing for entrepreneurs wrote “5 Reasons Why Good Fitness Makes for Better Entrepreneurial Leadership” (Gleeson, 2012). He begins his article discussing why Navy SEAL’s have a relentless focus on fitness from his personal experience as a Navy Seal. He tells us this focus exists because there is a direct correlation between one’s ability to cope and handle extreme mental and emotional stress. Gleeson continued “good leaders must maintain mental and physical fitness in order to effectively drive the business forward and inspire the team.” He gave 5 reasons why fit leaders make better leaders:

1. Energy and Productivity necessary to effectively address important decisions faced each day.

2. Confidence and Creativity.3. Facing Challenges while maintaining mental focus.4. Mental Wellness is achieved by boosting the brain’s feel good

neurotransmitters called ‘endorphins’.5. Influence. The role of a leader is to lead by example. Studies have shown

a healthy workforce is a more productive workforce, which improves attendance and productivity and reduces healthcare costs.” (Gleeson, 2012).

Well, possibly much more information than you would have needed to conclude the value of combining physical fitness/cardiovascular exercise to leadership learning and development programs can strengthen leadership effectiveness produce greater learning outcomes.

Source:

Fitbit.Com (2014). Inspiring change. Retrieved from http://www.fitbit.com/about#i.129ks1b11xrd8h

Gallo, Carmine (2013). Successful leaders commit to staying fit. Retrieved from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2013/01/03/successful-leaders-commit-to-staying-fit/

Gleeson, Brent (2012). 5 reasons why good fitness makes for better entrepreneurial leadership. Retrieved from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2012/10/22/5-reasons-why-good-fitness-makes-for-better-entrepreneurial-leadership/

Hötting, K. & Röder, B. (2013). Beneficial effects of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and cognition. Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

About Coach Jane

Jane Ryan, MS, Doctoral Candidate 2015, PhD Psychology, Master

Coach 

North Texas, United States

Bio: Hello, I am a scholarly practitioner, researcher, writer, and activist for

gender equality, multigenerational learning and leadership development. My

professional field of work has been spent in the areas of adult learning

principles and organizational psychology and development. A significant

coaching focus has been on emotional intelligence and transformative

learning in personal & leadership development. I strive to help individuals

and organizations learn, develop & grow.

My PhD dissertation is entitled "Exploration of Executive Female Leadership

Beliefs on Gender Inequality in the Workplace and Positive Social Change".

My passion is helping individuals and organizations identify and achieve

optimal performance and success in life and in business!

Contact Information

Jane RyanJane.Ryan@Outlook.Com214-500-7223Follow me on Twitter @JRyanJaneFollow my blog at JaneRyanBlog.WordPress.ComLinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/janeryan001/