The Science of Success
I have been studying the science of success for over 20 years. I have looked at all kinds of research on how both organizations and people rise to their potential. My own doctorate is in Education, Leadership and Organizations so I focus on the intersections between learning and leadership. I have always studied across many disciplines including biology, psychology, sociology and neuroscience. And I believe one of my gifts is in synthesizing these various studies into actionable solutions we can use to better our organizations.
On this page, I will share some intriguing studies -- I'll give you the popular media version but only if I have reviewed the original academic study that is cited and agree with the findings (see more on that below). These come in various forms from articles to podcasts to reports. Check out:
I believe in science.
As someone who completed a PhD at one of the world's top-ranked research universities, I know that rigorous research practices are designed to keep us from being mislead or manipulated. The ethical standards for academic research are incredibly high, to protect against the forces of favoritism, politics, and popularity. That is why I look to scientists and research centers who follow the right protocols to ensure that their studies are reliable and valid. Here are some that I follow:
Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (University of Wisconsin)
Neuroscience Research Center (University of Texas)
Greater Good Science Center (University of California, Berkeley)
Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience
National Science Foundation
American Mindfulness Research Association
I go to the source.
Every day, we receive posts and articles that quote this study or that researcher. But you have to be careful in these days of fake news--just because it's on the internet or printed in paper does not make it true or valid. Whenever I use research in my work, I go the source article--the original multi-page research study--rather than rely on the person who has condensed it down to a 1-2 paragraph summary. I read it myself and draw my own conclusions from the data before I pass it on to you.
I favor scholarly research.
Did you know that to be published in a scholarly journal, research articles are submitted anonymously so that the reputation of the scientist (good or bad) and his/her relationships don't influence the jury of their peers? This allows that jury to put the study through intense scrutiny and will only publish it if it passes the highest of standards. By sourcing original academic studies, I know that the science is good and trustworthy. There are thousands of academic journals and I will source a study at any one of them.