In the quest to create spaces for all members of your team to speak up and become the voices that your business and organisation needs. It's crucial to recognize the neuroscience behind why we sometimes struggle to listen effectively to voices and faces that are different to our own. But here's the exciting part: understanding the neuroscience behind these biases can help us consciously overcome them. By recognizing that these biases exist, we can actively work to change our listening patterns and create a more inclusive environment.

🧠 Neuroscience has shown that our brains are wired to respond differently to male and female faces and voices. This isn't a conscious choice, but rather a result of evolutionary factors. The brain tends to perceive lower-pitched male voices as more dominant and trustworthy, while higher-pitched female voices may sometimes be unconsciously dismissed.

 Previous research has shown that variations in vocal pitch between individuals are influenced by factors like androgen levels. This has consistently linked low vocal pitch with dominance in men, whether it's in the context of mate selection, political leadership, or professional settings.

Additionally, there's the "confirmation bias" at play in our brains. We often listen more attentively to ideas and voices that align with our existing beliefs and expectations. This bias can lead to the unintentional disregard of women's voices or their ideas, simply because they may challenge the status quo.

 Neuroscience also demonstrates the incredible plasticity of our brains. With awareness and practice, we can rewire our neural pathways to become better listeners, appreciating and valuing all voices equally.

I challenge each of you to take a neuroscience-informed approach to listening. Be aware of the biases that may influence your perception and actively work to overcome them. By doing so, you not only empower women to speak up but also tap into a wealth of diverse ideas that can drive innovation and progress.

🙌 It's time to harness the power of neuroscience to create a world where all voices are heard and valued. Together, we can break down the barriers that have held us back and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. #EmpowerWomen #Neuroscience #DiversityAndInclusion #ChangeMakers #WomenLeaders

JENNIFER DARLING

Jennifer Darling is a sales and marketing expert whose professional career spans over 20 years leading sales teams for companies like media giants Comcast and Hearst Television, representing brands such as NBC, CBS, and Fox. She now operates her own sales & marketing consulting and coaching firm working with women CEOs to help them raise their visibility, rise in leadership, and rock their sales results.

Jennifer has been fascinated with how our brains work since her undergraduate studies in advertising where she studied consumer behavior, she has since earned a master’s degree in change management, is an ICF Certified executive coach, and recently completed a certification called Understanding the Brain: Using Neuroscience to Deliver Better Business Results from The Wharton School, Aresty Institute of Executive Education.

Jennifer is the author 4 books, including Discovery Your Inspiration, Increase Your Leads with LinkedIn, Find Your Leadership Rhythm and Say Yes! Then Figure It Out.

When she’s not speaking, training or consulting, she’s chasing her Yorkie, Finnegan or snuggling with her 130 pound lapdog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Roxy.

jenniferdarlingspeaks.com

linkedin.com/in/jenniferdarlingspeaks

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