Some great insights about how the brain works that can help make us better leaders and innovators

FastCompany just published this crazy cool article titled “Why We’re More Creative When We’re Tired, And 9 Other Surprising Things About How Brains Work”. The article summarizes 10 things our brains do that are likely to be counter intuitive to your thinking or at least they were to me. 

This is great stuff because these bits of information can be hugely beneficial to those of us who want to be better more innovative leaders. Here is the list, (but the article itself a great read):

1. Your brain does creative work better when you’re tired.
2. Stress can change the size of your brain (and make it smaller).
3. It is literally impossible for our brains to multitask.
4. Naps improve your brain’s day-to-day performance.
5. Your vision trumps all other senses.
6. Introversion and extroversion come from different wiring in the brain.
7. We tend to like people who make mistakes more.
8. Meditation can rewire your brain for the better.
9. Exercise can reorganize the brain and boost your willpower.
10. You can make your brain think time is going slowly by doing new things.

The first one surprised me more than any of the others, though perhaps it shouldn’t.  I find often when I am writing articles, the best stuff comes when I am writing in the evening and not in the morning. I am now off to take advantage of #4, but before I go . . . Which of these might help you be better at what you do?