Dr. Lisa Riegel has spent two decades doing something most of us desperately need- translating the complex science of the brain into language leaders can actually use. As an educator, researcher, and author of five books, Lisa's work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, behavior, and organizational change. She holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from Ohio State University, and her two latest books -Aspirations to Operations and NeuroWell- give leaders and educators practical, brain-based frameworks for creating real, lasting change.

Whether she's working with school systems, corporate teams, or individual leaders, Lisa has a rare gift for helping people understand why they do what they do and how to do it differently. She also hosts the Women Who Rise Summit, bringing together women leaders ready to reinvent and grow. If this conversation sparked something for you, she'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn.

Your team member walks in frustrated, overwhelmed, resistant to the change you just rolled out and your instinct is to reassure her with logic, data, and a compelling vision of the future. But the harder you push, the more it backfires.

Why? It’s because change sometimes feels threatening and when people feel threatened, overwhelmed, uncertain, or resistant, they're not processing information the way you think they are.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Riegel returns to the podcast to explore the brain science behind change, emotion, and human behavior. Together, we unpack why leading with facts alone will never be enough and emotions always win over logic. You’ll learn what happens when the emotional brain takes over, and what leaders can actually do to make change land with less resistance.

Here’s what you'll learn in this episode:

Why "just the facts" is a myth.

Every piece of information your team receives passes through an unconscious emotional filter shaped by past experiences, fears, and associations they may not even be aware of. As a leader, understanding this changes everything about how you communicate.

Why "calm down" is the worst thing you can say

When someone enters a heightened emotional state, their thinking brain becomes far less accessible. Before people can process information, they often need help regulating their emotional response.

The 7 conditions for change to stick

Lisa walks through her research-backed framework for leading change at the organizational, team, and individual level including why celebration and culture aren't nice-to-haves, they're neurologically necessary.

The aptitude/attitude matrix

A practical tool for identifying exactly where each team member is in the change process and how to support them individually instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Why every change involves a loss

When you ask someone to adopt a new system or process, you may be asking them to give up an identity. Good leaders make room for that mourning.

Resources Mentioned:

• Aspirations to Operations   by  Dr. Lisa Riegel 
• NeuroWell by Dr. Lisa Riegel 
• Women Who Rise Summit — Asheville, NC, August 21st — www.WomenWhoRiseSummit.com
•  Listen to  Episode 58 -part 1 Brain Science of Leadership with Dr. Lisa Riegel
• Connect with Dr. Lisa Riegel  on her website and  LinkedIn

Visit ClaireLaughlin.com and connect with me @Claire Laughlin Consulting on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening!

New episodes are released weekly—share with others who might benefit!