What is the Value as Described by Senior Leaders of Understanding Individual Brain Sex Differences in the Workplace - An Exploration

The primary purpose of this research was to explore the value to senior leaders of understanding individual brain sex differences in the workplace, particularly in the context of the limited representation of women at the highest executive levels in modern corporations. While there is evidence supporting the positive impact of male/female differences on business performance, research addressing the challenges of understanding brain function differences, both in men and women, remains limited. This study addresses this gap by conducting a phenomenological exploration of leaders’ lived experiences who participated in a workshop on brain sex differences at work. The workshop involved ten semi-structured interviews with both female and male leaders, sharing insights from neuroscience and practical tools developed by the researcher. Topics covered included basic brain function, neurochemistry affecting performance states, key neurobiological sex differences, and the influence of nature and nurture on individual brain development. Five key findings emerged from the study: A demonstrable gap exists in awareness and knowledge of brain sex differences at work; participants applied acquired knowledge effectively in three domains: Self, Teams, and Clients; the application of new knowledge induced a profound mindset shift among many leaders; improved relationships resulting from the application of knowledge contributed to better self-awareness, enhanced understanding of others, and more effective approaches to business tasks; extracting full organizational value from this knowledge posed a significant challenge. These findings not only contribute to existing research but also provide innovative perspectives on addressing persistent business challenges. The research fills an academic void by offering new approaches to understanding differences within an organization and presents insights applicable at both individual and organizational scales.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

dprof

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Lanz, Kate

• BF Seicoleg
• HD28 Rheoli. Rheoli Diwydiannol

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3206