This book provides a groundbreaking fusion of neuroscience and organizational development, offering business leaders a scientifically backed framework to drive both individual and organizational success. The book integrates cutting-edge brain science with practical strategies, guiding readers through key principles like neuroplasticity, emotional regulation, and reward systems to create environments where employees thrive.

The foundation of the book is the BRAIN Model, which helps leaders cultivate Belonging, Resilience, Autonomy, Insight, and Nurturing within their teams, optimizing performance and collaboration. The book introduces how the brain works and why understanding brain functions is crucial for leadership and its link to organizational excellence. Readers will learn the core principles of neuroscience, such as how the brain responds to threats and rewards, and how these processes impact organizational culture and employee behavior. From there, the BRAIN Model is introduced as a tool for building environments that foster trust, engagement, and long-term success, linking neuroscience directly to achieving organizational excellence.

It then delves into proven tools such as the Shingo Model, OKRs, and Lean Six Sigma, showing how each tool connects to the brain’s need for clarity, structure, and motivation. Through practical examples, readers will discover how aligning organizational strategy and operational goals with brain science leads to better decision-making, continuous improvement, and innovation. The neuroscience of problem-solving and creativity is also explored, with attention to how brain pathways adapt to challenges and foster cognitive flexibility in high-performing teams.

The book then shifts focus to how leaders can cultivate emotional intelligence, personal growth, and learning within their teams. Topics such as decision-making, cognitive biases, and employee engagement are tackled using the latest research, providing leaders with actionable strategies for developing resilient and adaptable organizations. This book is essential for leaders looking to transform their organizations through the power of neuroscience, offering both theoretical insight and practical application.

Christianna Hayes, CEO of Impact Performance Solutions, has almost 30 years as a proven business performance improvement leader, international speaker, and author. Chris is a full-spectrum coach and adult learning instructor with practical experience from the shop floor to the boardroom. She utilizes organizational excellence best practices to engage the workforce, drive ideal behaviors, meet objectives, and sustain results. Because of her extensive experience helping companies achieve organizational excellence, Chris is one of only 36 in the world to be accepted as a Shingo Licensed Affiliate.

Chris has served in various top leadership positions throughout her career, including CEO, COO, VP of Quality, and Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and the University of Tulsa, where she developed and taught numerous adult-learning-centric courses. She has volunteered her time and shared her knowledge through her association with organizations such as ASQ (Board of Directors, Lean Enterprise Division Chair, Quality Innovations Summit TPC Chair, Fellows Coach, and NextGen Chair) and SME (Member volunteer, Lean Bronze Instructor, Lean Bronze Portfolio Reviewer, and COA Member).

Chris has an MBA in addition to an undergrad degree in Business and Project Management and has earned certifications in areas of Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (LSSMBB), Project Management (PMP), Supply Chain (CSQP), Quality (CMQ/OE and CQE), Auditing (CQA), certified ISO 9001 and AS9100), and Human Resources (HR Specialist).

In Wired for Excellence, Chris blends her real-world leadership experience with the latest insights from neuroscience and organizational excellence frameworks. She believes excellence isn't about compliance or pressure, it’s about creating cultures, systems, and leadership habits that align with how people and organizations are naturally wired to grow and thrive.

When she's not working with leaders or organizations, you'll find her outdoors, cheering for underdogs, studying human behavior and organizational growth, and enjoying a good cup of hot tea.