Episode 48: DIY Brain

DIY Brain
Episode #48 of the Third Turn Podcast with Dr. Roger Hall

Research shows that, on average, roughly 75% of our thoughts on a given day are negative.

Dr. Roger Hall, psychologist and author, has a passion and practice to help leaders think about their thinking--learning to monitor and manage their thinking and replace unproductive with productive thoughts.  Why? 

Because great leaders are disciplined thinkers.  And they’re also mere mortals who, like all of us, come by disciplined thinking the hard way and with great intention.  Even Churchill--a seemingly fearless and unflappable leader--upon closer look struggled with what he called Black Dog Days marked by depression, and a habit of intense drinking that would indicate self-medicating.

Dr. Hall helps leaders toward more productive thinking and more productive impact and outcomes by helping them:

• • • Monitor themselves (self-awareness)
    • Manage themselves (self-control)
    • Monitor others (empathy)
    • Manage others (influence).

Dr. Hall is also a certified mental health nutrition advisor, having recognized the significant connection between nutrition and peak performance.  Our brains occupy 2-5% of our body mass yet consume 20-25% of the fuel in our food.  And like a car’s performance is impacted by fuel quality, our brain functioning is impacted by our food quality. 

A leader’s Third Turn often presents a whole new physical and mental reality to navigate, Dr. Hall confirms:

• • • Later in life, our body’s ability to navigate poor nutrition starts to break down as our livers, adrenals, and thyroid often start misfiring, presenting unforeseen symptoms and nutritional needs.  (Mark and I discuss our own experience with new nutritional realities.)
    • There’s need for Third Turn learning and skill set development to address long range planning challenges, skill matching and interpersonal realities, as well as self-awareness and -management challenges for a very new season.

There are lots of important perspectives here to chew on and embrace.  And two wrap-up recommendations for our DIY brain?  Dr. Hall emphasizes the importance of quiet reflection--allowing our brain to rest and do deeper work beyond the demands of the day--and having a strong sense of history--reading and remembering that those before us have led through challenging times, and there truly is nothing new under the sun.  And helping us put our leadership in context of both those that have gone before as well as those that will come after.

Additional Resources:

• • • “Staying Happy, Being Productive: Bit 10 Things Successful People Do” - Dr. Hall’s book, which advises “shifting our focus away from work and toward creating better nutritional and exercise habits.”  Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes, February 28, 2021
    • After noticing that managing fear was a sought-after subject in his practice and resources, Dr. Hall developed 2 online tests and an online course.  (FYI--I learned I’m a rather feisty “honey badger” personality when it comes to conflict.  Who knew?)
      • “What’s Your Freak-out Style?” - quiz
      • How Much Do You Worry?” - the Worry-ometer quiz

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- Kristin Evenson

About The Third Turn Podcast & Maestro-level leaders:

With each episode of the Third Turn Podcast, we host a conversation among leaders who want the world to flourish for generations beyond their lifetimes.

Listening with others in some way and enjoying in-depth conversations of your own as you reflect and choose what you would do the same or differently is a plus!

We always welcome you sharing these podcasts with others as well as sending along any suggestions for making these podcasts better.

The Third Turn Podcast is part of the Maestro-level leaders initiative, a production of Design Group International. Strategically Connected's Jennifer Miller is the producer.