Imagination Science for Leading Others
Most people see themselves as having a well exercised imagination, but if they were to look deeper at their daily use of imagination, they would probably realize that they are falling short on this power muscle of leadership.
Here are seven intriguing facts that intertwine imagination, science, leadership and biology, many of which may not be widely known:
1. Neuroplasticity and Imagination: The brain's ability to rewire itself, known as neuroplasticity, allows imagination to play a crucial role in learning and memory. When we visualize scenarios or concepts, we can strengthen neural pathways, making it easier to remember and understand complex information.
How often do you use visualization technology or your own capability to visualize a problem?
2. The Default Mode Network: When you're daydreaming or letting your mind wander -‘essentially using your imagination - your brain activates a network known as the Default Mode Network DMN. This network is involved in self-referential thought and can enhance creativity.
Do you as a leader give yourself the proper time and space to do some Freeform thinking every day?
3. Imagery in Healing: Studies have shown that guided imagery, a technique that uses imagination to promote healing, can significantly reduce pain and anxiety in patients. This suggests that mental visualization can have tangible effects on biological processes.
Life is tough. Leading is hard. How often do you exercise your imaginative creativity to reduce stress or express deeper feelings of stress and struggle?
4. Creativity and Brain Structure: Research has indicated that certain structural features of the brain, such as increased connectivity in the prefrontal cortex, are associated with higher levels of creativity and imaginative thinking, which can influence problem-solving and innovation.
Problem-solving is disciplined, and creative problem -solving is an even higher form of discipline. Do you apply this imaginative approach on a regular basis?
5. The Role of Dreams: Dreams are a form of imagination that can aid in problem-solving and creativity. Studies suggest that dreaming can help us process emotions and experiences, potentially leading to novel solutions to real-life challenges.
Do you dream enough? Do you put yourself in a proper state of mind at night to even dream at all? Dreams are elusive windows of our imagination and the more fatigued we feel the less we can access those parts of our brain that truly are unique to us.
6. The Biology of Visualization: Visualization techniques, often used by athletes and performers, can improve physical performance. This is because the brain activates similar neural pathways during visualization as it does during actual performance, illustrating the power of imagination on physical capabilities.
Leaders take an even more prominent role in encouraging others to use their visualization skills. Leaders challenge others to improve their visualization skills through the application of art, music and expressive imagery to produce understanding and confidence in others more rapidly.
7. The Impact of Stress on Imagination: Chronic stress can dampen the imaginative capacity of the brain. Stress hormones like cortisol can impair cognitive functions, including creativity and the ability to think abstractly, highlighting the importance of mental well-being for imaginative thought.
What good leaders do is they invite others to reduce their stress by applying imaginative thinking to their lives as recreation and even pathways to personal understanding and healing.
Leaders in 2025 understand the fascinating interplay between imagination, science, and biology, emphasizing how our mental faculties influence and are influenced by our biological makeup and our surroundings.
While you as a leader cannot do much about a person‘s biological makeup, you can invite them to more regularly activate that biology and create for them an environment where imaginative thinking not only thrives, but it builds group resilience and innovation that forms the most incredible teams.
Drew Bartkiewicz, CEO of Leaderly AI