Where Do Good Ideas Come From?

Where do your best ideas happen?

For many of us, they don’t appear when we’re sat at our desk trying to force a solution. Instead, they arrive when we’re walking, driving, swimming, or doing something routine.

In this episode of The Leader’s Kitbag, I explore why that happens and what neuroscience can teach us about thinking more effectively as leaders.

I explain the difference between two key brain networks - the Central Executive Network and the Default Mode Network - and why both are essential if we want to lead well.

The challenge is that modern leadership often traps us in constant task mode: meetings, emails, decisions, and deadlines. When that happens, we lose access to the reflective thinking that helps us gain perspective, process emotions, and connect ideas in new ways.

And yet perspective is one of the most valuable things a leader can offer.

This episode is a reminder that switching off isn’t indulgent - it’s essential. Because leaders aren’t just paid to do.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Why your best ideas often appear when you’re not actively trying to solve the problem.
2. The difference between the Central Executive Network (task-focused thinking) and the Default Mode Network (reflective thinking).
3. Why leaders need both execution and reflection to lead effectively
4. How constant busyness can reduce creativity, perspective and emotional processing
5. Why creating deliberate thinking space is part of your leadership responsibility

Ben’s Key Takeaway

Leadership is about two things: tasks and people.

The Central Executive Network helps us manage the tasks.

But the Default Mode Network helps us process experiences, understand emotions, and see the bigger picture - both for ourselves and for the people we lead.

If we stay permanently in execution mode, we may become efficient in the short term. But we lose perspective, creativity and our ability to properly understand what’s happening around us.

And perspective is one of the most valuable things a leader can offer.

That’s why creating space to think isn’t a luxury.

It’s leadership work.

Want to learn more about how to be a leader?

Enrolment is now open for the cohort of my ‘Leader in Me’ programme.

If you're ready to:

1. Build confidence and capability as a leader
2. Break free from firefighting and become more proactive
3. Learn how to inspire your team and deliver results…

Learn more, read testimonials and register your interest for the programme here.

Prefer bite-sized learning?

Check out the 10-4-10 Leadership Programme, my free online course that delivers powerful, practical leadership tools in just 10 minutes a week.

You’ll get:

1. Weekly lessons on topics like delegation, motivation and prioritisation
2. A short video, podcast, and book recommendation each week
3. Simple tactics you can use straight away

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Learn more about the FREE 10-4-10 programme here.