Feel the Learn: 5 May 25 - Brain Food
This is a weekly series where we share growth-focused content for executive managers that you can read, watch, and/or listen to (based on your preferred learning style).
If you stay open to learning, you find it everywhere. One of the most important character traits of a TOTAL BAUS is cultivating a growth mindset. Coined by Mindset GOAT Dr. Carol Dweck, growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedicated effort, strategy, and learning from mistakes.
I encourage all my coaching clients to spend time — even just a few minutes a week — learning something new. A desire and commitment for growth (vs. a predisposition to deflect and rationalize) is the best safeguard against being a bad manager (and an asshole). I regularly send my coaching clients articles, interviews, and podcasts (whether they like it or not) that I think will aid their growth. Now I’m sharing them with you! You’re welcome.
This week we feed your mind by acknowledging your mind. Below are three pieces of content I recently discovered or revisited, which I found insightful, enlightening, and inspirational. They focus on strategic thinking, creativity, and cognitive scripts.
Take a few minutes this week to feel the learn.
READ
Article: Big Think | “The 6 Disciplines of Strategic Thinking”
By Josh Browning, based on Dr. Michael Watkins’ book of the same name.
Topic: Strategic Thinking
Useful for: Developing strategic thinking skills based on a practical, tractable framework of sub-skills.
Time: 5 - 10 min read (intro section skippable)
TLDR: Browning summarizes Watkins’ six mental disciplines to help leaders navigate complexity, anticipate change, and drive impact. By developing across these six areas, leaders can enhance their strategic thinking capabilities, which results in more informed decision-making and greater organizational impact.
Serg’s Take: Strategic Thinking is a Top 3 Exec skill. This breaks it down into sub-skills you can assess and prioritize. E.g., Improving “pattern recognition” is more tractable than developing “strategic thinking,” which is quite broad.
Learn more about Dr. Michael Watkins’ The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking on Goodreads.
WATCH
Video: Big Think | 3 Cognitive Scripts That Rule Your Life
Interview with neuroscientist Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Topic: Mindset, Metacognition
Useful for: Developing mental clarity and decision-making; also for general self-improvement.
Time: 50 min watch (on 1x, doable at up to 1.75x)
TLDR: Le Cunff explains how hidden mental patterns, or scripts — specifically Productivity, Perfectionism, and People Pleasing scripts — shape our thoughts and actions. She proves practical steps for identifying, challenging, and rewriting scripts to help you reclaim agency and make more intentional choices.
Serg’s Take: Content like this is no-regrets learning for anyone interested in growth. Mindset awareness is a foundational ability for a good manager (and good person). Disregarding the power of mindset is a asking to fail.
Learn more about Dr. Le Cunff on her website, and check out her book, Tiny Experiments, on Goodreads.
LISTEN
Podcast: Song Exploder | RAYE - Escapism.
Hrishikesh Hirway interviews singer, songwriter, producer Raye
Topic: Creativity, Intentionality, Gut
Useful for: Remembering that greatness takes time, iteration, and intention; also for general inspiration.
Time: 20 min listen (on 1x, doable at up to 1.5x)
TLDR: RAYE is a London-based singer-songwriter-producer who’s worked with huge artists (including Beyoncé!). In this interview she shares the struggles and journey she went through to independently produce her debut album, My 21st Century Blues, and the creative process writing and composing the lead single, “Escapism."
Serg’s Take: This interview is a great reminder to stay true to your instincts, be clear on your intentions, and trust the creative process. Also, this album is excellent and the song “Escapism.” is absolute fire.
Learn more about RAYE on her website, download My 21st Century Blues where ever you get your music, and listen to “Escapism.”