Why Your Brain Keeps Reusing Old Leadership
Wed Feb 04 2026
In this episode of Your Preshift, we explore why good leaders keep leading people the same way, even as those people change. Drawing from cognitive psychology and leadership research, the episode unpacks how the brain rewards familiarity and efficiency, quietly pushing leaders to reuse approaches that once worked instead of reassessing what’s needed now.
You’ll learn why consistent performers often receive the least intentional leadership, how assumptions replace curiosity over time, and why development stalls when leaders stop asking present-tense questions. The episode introduces practical ways to interrupt autopilot using a healthy view of the 9-box and Trust, Structure, and Involvement.
If you’ve ever been surprised by a performance dip, disengagement, or loss of momentum from someone you “know well,” this episode helps you see why, and what to do before drift turns into frustration.
Link to TSI inspired 9-Box
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In this episode of Your Preshift, we explore why good leaders keep leading people the same way, even as those people change. Drawing from cognitive psychology and leadership research, the episode unpacks how the brain rewards familiarity and efficiency, quietly pushing leaders to reuse approaches that once worked instead of reassessing what’s needed now. You’ll learn why consistent performers often receive the least intentional leadership, how assumptions replace curiosity over time, and why development stalls when leaders stop asking present-tense questions. The episode introduces practical ways to interrupt autopilot using a healthy view of the 9-box and Trust, Structure, and Involvement. If you’ve ever been surprised by a performance dip, disengagement, or loss of momentum from someone you “know well,” this episode helps you see why, and what to do before drift turns into frustration. Link to TSI inspired 9-Box