Cognitive Design

Great Leadership

Or so argue the authors of the book Resonant Leadership.  The book has been out for a while but I am blogging on it to show that the levels of cognitive fit - agitate, tolerate, resonate, accelerate and integrate hold between people not just people and artifacts. Effective relationships have a higher level of cognitive fit. I get more mental energy out of them (my heart and mind is moved) than I have to put into them.  Said more directly:

Great leaders are masters at meeting the cognitive needs of the people they influence.

In a more recent book on the same topic, Becoming a Resonant Leader, the author lays bare the cognitive effects at work:

“Through resonance, leaders become attuned to the needs and dreams of people they lead. They create conditions where people can excel. They sustain their effectiveness through renewal.” 

As resonance is only the third level of cognitive fit, I invite you to wonder what types of leaders provide a level four (accelerate) or even a level five (integrate) of cognitive fit.