How understanding how your brain works can make you a better leader
What if the key to being a better manager isn't found in a new productivity hack, a different feedback framework, or a time management app—but in understanding the three-pound organ inside your head that runs the show: your brain?
Most leadership advice focuses on what you should do. Neuroscience helps explain why some things work—and why others fail, despite your best intentions. When you manage in ways that are aligned with how the brain naturally operates, you unlock better decision-making, motivation, creativity, and connection.
Here are five ways neuroscience can help you manage smarter.
1. Multitasking Is a Myth: Prioritization is Your Brain's Superpower
The brain's prefrontal cortex handles focus, planning, and decision-making. But it's also highly energy-demanding and sensitive to overload. When you spring last-minute requests on your team, surprise them with new deadlines, or pile on urgent tasks, you're setting their brains up to fail.
Cognitive overload impairs performance. Each unexpected demand consumes energy needed for prioritizing, problem-solving, and creative thinking. When managers protect their people from chaotic, reactive workflows, they preserve their team's brainpower. This also builds psychological safety and trust.
Try this: Push back on unnecessary urgency from above. Communicate early and clearly about changes. Create space for people to do their best work, not just keep up.
2. Creativity Needs Space (and Structure)
Leaders often say they want innovation, but fail to create the conditions that allow it. The brain's creative engine—particularly the default mode network —thrives when we're relaxed, slightly daydreaming, and free from judgment. Yet most work environments reward hyperproductivity and constant urgency.
Creativity requires a balance of exploration and exploitation. Neuroscience tells us that the best ideas often come when we're mentally alert and engaged, but not overwhelmed; often when we are focused, interested, and under just the right amount of pressure. Constant pressure to be 'brilliant now' can actually inhibit insight.
Try this: Build 'white space' into your team's calendar. Walking meetings, unscheduled thinking time, or even mindfulness minutes. Counterintuitively, making time for your people to actively rest may be your easiest to implement, but most impactful, innovation strategy.
3. Coaching Unlocks Neuroplasticity (and Performance)
If your job is to get the best from your people, you need to stop telling and start coaching. Great managers ask the kinds of questions that rewire their team's thinking. That's not a metaphor; it's neuroscience.
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change. When people reflect, reframe, or develop insight, they're literally rewiring their neural pathways. Effective coaching conversations tap into this, activating networks for learning, motivation, and problem-solving. And coaching at the identity level (helping people explore not just what they do but who they are) creates deep, lasting change.
Try this: Next time someone brings you a problem, don't solve it. Ask: 'What have you already tried?' or 'What would great look like here?' When you practice this, you're building your colleague's brain.
4. Motivation Lives in the Brain's Reward System
Motivation isn't magic, and it's not about free pizza or ping-pong tables. It's about how well leaders understand the brain's reward circuits.
Dopamine, the chemical of motivation, spikes when people feel progress, connection, or purpose. In many workplace environments, overuse of rankings, performance comparisons, or conditional bonuses can reduce intrinsic motivation over time. When these tools create pressure or fear of failure, they risk disengagement rather than drive.
Try this: Recognize effort, not just outcomes. Connect tasks to meaningful goals. Give your team autonomy in how they reach targets. These all activate the reward networks and sustain engagement over time.
5. A High-Performing Neural Environment Isn't Soft. It's Smart
One of the most misunderstood drivers of high performance is psychological safety. This isn't about being nice—it's about creating the neural conditions for people to think clearly, speak up, and take risks.
When people feel unsafe (even subtly), the brain activates the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex has to work harder to emotionally regulate. That means less creativity, lower collaboration, and poorer decision-making. Managers who create cultures of trust and fairness help teams stay in a reward state—and unlock their best thinking.
Try this: Model curiosity. Fail fast. Admit mistakes. Ask more questions. Your vulnerability is a shortcut to their clarity.
Final Thought: Manage Like a Brain-Savvy Human
Understanding how the brain works isn't just interesting trivia: It's the blueprint for managing with clarity, creativity, and compassion.
By making small shifts in how you focus, coach, motivate, and create safety, you build better brains—your own, and your team's.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
26 minutes ago
- Washington Post
The NASA science missions that would be axed in Trump's 2026 budget
President Donald Trump's fiscal 2026 budget request, if approved by Congress, would kill many of NASA's plans for robotic exploration of the solar system. Gone, too, would be multiple space-based missions to study Earth, the sun and the rest of the universe. Among the planets that would get less attention are Venus, Mars and Jupiter. But the planet facing the biggest drop in scrutiny from space is our own. The Trump budget proposal calls for reducing Earth science funding by 53 percent.
CNET
26 minutes ago
- CNET
Best Ice Makers
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Ice: The one thing a summer hang can never have enough of. The best countertop ice makers will have a bin full of nugget, bullet or cocktail ice that is never out of reach. A standalone model is particularly valuable if your fridge doesn't have a built-in ice maker or it can't keep up with consumption. There are also specialty ice makers to make the fanciest cubes you'll find outside of a speakeasy. Just a few of the ice makers we tested to find the best in class. David Watsky/CNET To find the best ice makers to keep the party going, I tested 10 machines. The models I evaluated varied widely in price, ice type and size, so there are picks on this list to accommodate specific frozen water requirements. If you're a consummate host of big outdoor bashes -- and where's our invite? -- consider a large-capacity ice maker versus a smaller model with limited output. What's the best ice maker for 2025? After weeks of testing and lots of cold beverages, we found GE Profile's Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with water tank to be the best ice maker overall. The larger machine pumps out mountains (3 pounds to be exact) of chewable nugget ice that's perfect for icy spritzes, chilled lemonade and blends into smoothies with zero resistance. A version of this ice maker has been around for more than a decade -- we tested the first generation model in 2016 and liked it then -- so we have faith it'll stand the test of time, which is key for an appliance type that's not known for longevity. But there are other ice makers made for smaller spaces or specialty cocktails that could be a better fit for your summer soiree. Read on for our picks for the best ice makers for 2025. GE Profile Photo Gallery 1/3 GE Profile Best ice maker overall GE Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker + Water Tank Pros Makes crunchy nugget ice, great for chewing or cocktails The large removable water means you don't have to constantly refill Quiet and easy to use The design is pleasing Cons The most expensive nugget ice maker on our list Larger than most so it might not fit on your kitchen counter Why I liked it: The Opal Nugget 2.0 ice maker had one of the fastest ice outputs of the models we tried. It also has the largest capacity, able to hold three pounds at once and produce more than 35 pounds of ice in a single day. The large .75-gallon side water reservoir on the 2.0 comes in handy when you're hosting and don't want to bother with refilling constantly. The Opal is also relatively quiet and easy to use. Why we chose this model over GE's other Opal ice makers is the removable reservoir that is far more convenient than the built-in water tank found on the brand's other models. Who is it for: If you need large quantities of ice and have the space to house it, the Opal will provide the most ice to keep drinks cold and party guests happy. The Opal has a pleasant design and an easy-access bin with a caddy for the ice scoop on the side so you never lose it. Who should avoid it: If you don't require loads of ice regularly, the Opal may be more ice maker than you need. It's significantly larger than the other ice makers on our list so it may not be the best pick if you plan to keep it in the kitchen. It also costs about $579 so it's not a budget buy. Note: Our pick is for the Opal 2.0. The Opal 2.0 XL is identical except for a slightly larger 1-gallon reservoir but costs $149 more. There is also a line of Opal ice makers with a built-in reservoir, which is less convenient to fill than the removable reservoir. ... Show more Get it now $500 at Amazon $529 at Walmart $600 at Target Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Ice capacity 3 lbs Ice made per day 38 lbs Dimensions 17.5"D x 13.43"W x 16.5"H Colors available Silver, carbon, powder blue, white Cleaning cycle Yes Removeable Water Tank Yes Price $300 Add to compare Frigidaire Photo Gallery 1/2 Frigidaire Best ice maker for most kitchens Frigidaire Pros Made ice faster than any other nugget ice maker we tested Simple to use Classic design with several colors available Good value considering the performance Cons The ice bucket feels a little cheap No holder for the ice scoop Why I like it: This simple nugget ice maker quickly and efficiently turned 2 quarts of water into crunchy ice. It isn't decked out with special features like others on this list but it has a cleaning cycle that is recommended to run with distilled vinegar every so often to keep scale from building up. I appreciated the removable reservoir, which allows you to keep the machine anywhere in the kitchen. Those with built-in water tanks must either be placed near the sink or you'll have to find a vessel to bring water over to refill. Who should get it: This ice maker is quiet, works well and is a modest size, making it a great pick for most kitchens. It will take up about the same amount of space as a 4-quart air fryer so you'll need to budget some counter space. That said, it's roughly half the size of the GE Profile Opal. Who should avoid it: If your ice needs are particularly great, this mid-sized model may not be able to keep up. Two and a half pounds of ice may sound like a lot, but during a summer party with 10 or more guests, it'll go fast. A full batch of ice takes about an hour, so you can expect to fill it somewhat regularly throughout your event. ... Show more Get it now $300 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Ice capacity 2.5 lbs Ice made per day 44 lbs Dimensions 16.75"D x 11.75"W x 20.25"H Colors available Blue, black, silver, cream Removable water tank Yes Price $300 Add to compare Ecozy Photo Gallery 1/2 Ecozy Best smart ice maker design Ecozy Pros My favorite design of any ice maker we tested Love the top-open door revealing ice bin and water tank Keeps ice super cold after making Cons Smart features seem mostly unnecessary Digital screen is busy Less familiar with the brand, which makes me nervous about longevity Why I like it: This ice maker had my favorite design of all the models tested. The slick top-open door reveals an ice basket and easy-fill removable reservoir. The Ecozy also made its soft nugget ice fast, churning out 2.5 pounds in just more than an hour. It makes slightly less ice per day than the Frigidaire but still enough for the average household not to fall behind. The Ecozy's smart features are fun, but I didn't find myself using them often. The ice maker is Wi-Fi enabled so you can start and stop the cycle remotely if you choose. However, you'll still have to return to manually fill the reservoir so remote control isn't a major boon. This machine sports an LED light to show ice bin fullness without opening it. It also tells you the air and water temperatures but I struggled to see how this would be helpful other than to plan how long the ice would keep from melting. The insulated chamber was useful as this machine kept its ice frozen for several hours after it was made, even when I turned it on. Who should get it: Smart home aficionados will appreciate the Ecozy's extra features, such as app control and temperature readouts. While it doesn't filter water, the machine also reads the water's total dissolved solids, so you can haul in a separate filter system if the quality is poor. Who should avoid it: My biggest concern with this ice maker is my lack of familiarity with the brand. Because it sports all those smart features, there are more elements that could potentially break or glitch over time, although everything ran smoothly in my weeks-long test. ... Show more Get it now $360 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Bin capacity 2.6 lbs Ice per day 40 lbs Dimensions 9.33"D x 14.01"W x 15.51"H Colors available Black Cleaning cycle Yes Removable water tank Yes Price $400 Add to compare Igloo Photo Gallery 1/2 Igloo Best cheap ice maker Igloo Pros A bargain at less than $100 Made bullet ice fast and kept it cold Handle is convenient for bring ice outside or to another room Cons Makes a small amount of ice What I like: The Igloo is about as simple as ice makers get but it made bullet ice fast and kept it frozen. The ice maker is relatively quiet and takes up very little counter space. I loved the handle that lets you easily lug a full batch of ice, which takes about an hour to make, outside or into another room. It also made its first ice cubes faster than any machine, churning out nine cubes in less than 8 minutes. Who is it for: For those who need just a small supplemental supply of ice, the Igloo's $95 machine won't bust your wallet or crowd your counter. It works consistently Who should avoid it: This is a small-capacity ice maker. It holds just 1.25 pounds of ice and makes only 26 pounds total per day so you'll need to run and refill it often to keep up with even modest demand from a group. You can always batch ice and stick it in the freezer, but that requires planning ahead so consider this machine's output before you decide to buy. ... Show more Get it now $90 at The Home Depot $95 at Wayfair Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Bin capacity 1.25 lbs Ice made per day 26 lbs Dimensions 12.2"D x 9.06"W x 12.8"H Colors available Black, light blue Removeable water tank No Cleaning cycle Yes Price $95 Add to compare Klaris Photo Gallery 1/3 Klaris Best ice maker for whiskey drinkers Klaris Craft Ice Maker Pros The 2-inch cubes made by this machine were a thing of beauty Slow melting ice is perfect for cocktails and sipping liquor Small footprint Cons It takes eight hours to make four cubes Expensive at more than $500 Why I liked it: The Klaris specialty ice maker makes perfectly clear 2-inch cubes of ice. While it takes time to make them, the resulting ice is optimal for sipping a fine whiskey or bourbon cocktail. The ice melts considerably slower than other types and thus won't water down your custom cocktail. It's also visually appealing if you plan to show off your cocktails on Instagram. Who is it for: This is undoubtedly a specialty ice maker for fans of premium liquor with some money to spend. The Klaris makes four large crystal-clear ice cubes in each batch but takes about 8 hours to do it. It's easy to operate with just one button. The Klaris is also one of the smaller ice makers so it won't crowd your countertop and can ornament a home bar. Who should avoid it: This isn't a practical ice maker for most people. The Klaris makes perfect cocktail ice but it takes eight hours to create just four cubes. It's also one of the more expensive home ice makers on the market at more than $500. ... Show more Get it now $549 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Ice type Cocktail, cube Bin capacity 4 large cubes Total ice per day 12 large cubes Dimensions 9"D x 9"W x 12"H Colors available Stainless steel Cleaning cycle No Removable water tank No Price $524 Add to compare Others ice makers we tested Frigidaire ball: This $335 model would be a good pick if you want cocktail ice but don't want to splurge on the $500 Klaris. The balls of ice were at times inconsistent or half-made but it was mostly efficient and easy to use. Whynter Nugget Ice Maker: This machine performed well but it was louder than the others. Also, the build is low and wide -- most were taller but narrow -- making it more difficult to squeeze into a crowded kitchen. GoveeLife Smart Ice Maker: This ice maker was the worst of the bunch. The Govee never produced a single cube after several attempts at running a cycle. Gevi V2.0 Nugget Ice Maker: The Gevi performed OK when making ice but it didn't keep that ice frozen in the bin for as long as the others. Cuisinart Compact Bullet Ice Maker: This bullet ice maker got the job done but the control panel was fussy and the price was bloated for a basic ice machine. The Igloo, our budget pick, is a nearly identical machine but costs $100 less. There aren't a ton of ice makers from well-known brands. Kitchen brands don't seem to be clamoring to get into the ice maker space and plenty of brands have skipped out on the category. I asked reps from several of my favorite kitchen brands why but most didn't have an answer. In researching the models we would test, I reached out to some of them. A rep from SharkNinja, a kitchen brand we are consistently impressed with, said, "We aren't in that category at the moment but we're always looking for the next consumer problem to solve … and always follow our deep consumer insights in that process." How we tested ice makers Testing ice makers isn't as straightforward as some of the other products we evaluate at CNET. Most of the ice makers we brought in for testing delivered on the promise to turn tap water into ice. But some made ice faster than others and kept it cool for longer when the machine was turned off. Many of our picks hinged less on hard metrics gleaned from testing and more on how well the ice makers were designed and constructed, how easy they were to use, their features and their noise level. We ran each ice maker more than 10 times to ensure consistency in production and looked for any glitches in the controls. We also looked for leaks or design flaws that might cause a mess to clean up later. For hard metrics, we timed how long it took each ice maker to make it's first cubes. We ran that test twice and averaged the two times. In most machines, it was consistently about 10 minutes before the first cubes or nuggets dropped into the bin. Next, we tested how long it took each ice maker to fill its bin. This isn't an apples-to-apples comparison because the machines all have different capacities but we wanted to see if the ice makers delivered on the promises made in marketing lingo. What to consider: Ice maker buying advice A removable reservoir A removable reservoir makes refilling easier, especially if the machine is far from the sink. David Watsky/CNET The most convenient feature of all the ice makers I tested was a removable reservoir. Some of the budget models had built-in water tanks, which meant you had to either keep the machine near the sink or bring water in a separate vessel to fill it. The Whynter ice maker has a built-in water tank, which I found trickier to fill. David Watsky/CNET The removable reservoirs proved uniquely handy for refilling, especially for the midsized machines that required more refills to keep up with demand. Ice type Most home ice makers make either nugget or bullet ice. David Watsky/CNET Most at-home ice makers make one of two types of ice: bullet or nugget. Nugget ice can be made quickly and is great for chewing on but it melts fast in drinks. Bullet ice seems to be the go-to ice type for budget-friendly ice makers. It's more similar in structure to ice you would find in an in-fridge ice maker. Then there are the specialty ice makers, largely designed for cocktail making. Frigidaire has a $300 ball ice maker, while Klaris' $524 ice maker makes perfect, air-pocket-free blocks for sipping your favorite brown liquor or mixed drink. Size and production volume Midsized ice makers like the Frigidaire and Ecozy hold enough ice for about 7 drinks. David Watsky/CNET The smallest ice makers are good for crowded kitchens but the production is limited so it might not be worth even the meager space they take up. The Cuisinart and Igloo, for instance, hold just 2 pounds of ice, enough for roughly 7 drinks. Most ice makers hold about 2 liters, which equals roughly 2.5 pounds of ice, good for about 9 drinks. The bigger ice makers, including our top pick the GE Profile Opal Nugget ice maker, hold 3 pounds at once, enough for 12 drinks, but the footprint on your counter is significantly bigger. You'd be wise to consider the space where you plan to put your ice maker before you purchase. Many homes may require the extra ice only in the summer so if you can budget the space for three or four months only, you can spring for a larger model that produces more. If it's going in the basement or garage to replenish ice as needed or to be pulled out for special occasions, size may not be a concern. Cost and value The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is our top pick but it's also one of the more expensive options. GE The most affordable ice makers we tested were less than $100. All of these models were small in stature and made bullet ice -- similar to ice from a fridge ice maker. Ice makers that produce nugget ice, which is easy to chew and looks nice in cocktails, typically start at about $300. Premium ice makers, such as the Opal 2.0 and Klaris specialty ice maker, cost about $500 to $700. Cleaning mode Most of the ice makers we tested have a cleaning function that sends water mixed with a food-safe cleaning product or a vinegar solution through the channels to descale. We recommend buying an ice maker that has this feature to prevent tainted ice down the line. Ice maker FAQs Will an ice maker work outside in the heat? In my experience, ice makers function far less efficiently in the heat. If you have a portable ice maker, it's best to operate it inside where it's cooler during warm weather. How do you clean an ice maker? To clean an ice maker unplug the machine and empty the ice bin and water reservoir. Next, wipe down interior and exterior surfaces with a mild cleaning solution. For a deeper clean, run the machine's cleaning cycle once or twice to rid the lines of buildup. The run another cleaning cycle with only water to flush it out. How long does an an ice maker take to make ice? Most automatic ice makers we tested start making ice in about 12 minutes but take a full hour or longer to make a full batch. The larger models took longer to fill the bucket with ice. How much ice do ice makers make? Most of the ice makers we tested hold between 2.5 and 3 pounds of ice, enough for 8 to 12 drinks. The smaller, more budget-friendly machines hold closer to 1 pound.
CNET
26 minutes ago
- CNET
How to Add These Hidden Music and Apple Intelligence Controls to Your iPhone
Apple released iOS 18.4 on March 31, and the update brought bug fixes, new emoji and a new recipes section in Apple News to all iPhones. The update also brought a handful of new controls to the iPhone Control Center, including one that brings Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. When Apple released iOS 18 in September, the update remodeled the Control Center to give you more control over how the feature functions. With iOS 18, you can resize controls, assign some controls to their own dedicated page and adjust the placement of controls to your liking. Apple also introduced more controls to the feature, making it a central hub for all your most-used iPhone features. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About iOS 18 With iOS 18.4, Apple continues to expand the number of controls you can add to the Control Center. If you have the update on your iPhone, you can add ambient music controls, and Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones get a few AI controls in the menu, too. Here's what you need to know about the new controls and how to add them to your Control Center. Ambient Music controls Apple gave everyone four new controls in the Control Center library under the Ambient Music category. These controls are Sleep, Chill, Productivity and Wellbeing. Each of these controls can activate a playlist filled with music that corresponds to the specific control. Sleep, for instance, plays ambient music to help lull you to bed. Some studies suggest white noise could help adults learn words and improve learning in environments full of distractions. According to the mental health company Calm, certain kinds of music can help you fall asleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep. So these new controls can help you learn, fall asleep and more. Here's how to find these controls. 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open your Control Center. 2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner of your screen. 3. Tap Add a Control. You'll see a section of controls called Ambient Music. You can also search for "Ambient Music" in the search bar at the top of the control library. Under Ambient Music, you'll see all four controls. Tap one (or all) of them to add them to your Control Center. Once you've added one or all the controls to your Control Center, go back to your Control Center and tap one to start playing music. The new Ambient Music controls in Control Center play preloaded playlists on your iPhone when activated. Apple/CNET Here's how to change the playlist for each control. 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open your Control Center. 2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner of your screen. 3. Tap the Ambient Music control you want to edit. 4. Tap the playlist to the right of Playlist. A dropdown menu will appear with additional playlists for each control. If you're in the Sleep control, you'll see playlists like Restful Notes and Lo-Fi Snooze. If you have playlists in your Music app, then you'll also see an option From Library, which pulls music from your library. Tap whichever playlist you want and it will be assigned to that control. Ambient Music is similar to Background Sounds, but those are more static sounds, like white noise. Jeff Carlson/CNET Apple already lets you transform your iPhone into a white noise machine with Background Sounds, like ocean and rain. But Ambient Music is actual music as opposed to more static sounds like in that feature. Both of these features feel like a way for Apple to present itself as the first option for whenever you want some background music to help you fall asleep or be productive. Other services, like Spotify and YouTube, already have ambient music playlists like these, so this could be Apple's way of taking some of those service's audience. Apple Intelligence controls Only people with an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 lineup can access Apple Intelligence features for now, and those people got three new dedicated Apple Intelligence controls with iOS 18.4. Those controls are Talk to Siri, Type to Siri and Visual Intelligence. Here's how to find these controls. 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open your Control Center. 2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner of your screen. 3. Tap Add a Control. Then you can use the search bar near the top of the screen to search for "Apple Intelligence" or you can scroll through the menu to find the Apple Intelligence & Siri section. Tap any (or all) of these controls to add them to your Control Center. While Talk to Siri and Type to Siri controls can be helpful if you have trouble accessing the digital assistant, the Visual Intelligence control is important because it brings the Apple Intelligence feature to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. That is a monstera laniata mint, Visual Intelligence. Get it together. Apple/CNET Visual Intelligence was originally only accessible on the iPhone 16 lineup because those devices have the Camera Control button. With iOS 18.4, Visual Intelligence is now accessible on more devices and people thanks to the titular control in Control Center. But remember, Visual Intelligence is like any other AI tool so it won't always be accurate. You should double check results and important information it shows you. For more on iOS 18, here are all the new emoji you can use now and everything you should to know about the recipes section in Apple News. You can also check out all the features included in iOS 18.5 and our iOS 18 cheat sheet.
