Silvia Damiano

Silvia Damiano

Founder & CEO
About my Brain Institute

Scientist, educator, author, speaker, coach, award-winning leadership specialist, filmmaker and creator of the i4 Neuroleader Model & Methodology.

Silvia's scientific background and curiosity about the human brain led her to a decade long journey of research into optimal brain functioning and the application of neuroscience in leadership and daily life. Her past and current roles have uniquely prepared her for the current undertaking, that of leadership activist & change agent.

Silvia Damiano founded The About my Brain Institute in 2009, with the purpose of democratising leadership & neuroscience. She has a passionately held belief, that leaders in our 21st century global economy and their organisations must radically change long-held ideas of what constitutes effective leadership

In her ground-breaking books ‘Leadership is Upside Down’, ‘Brain-Friendly Leadership’ and the 2018 documentary ‘Make Me A Leader’, Silvia provides both compelling evidence and explores the importance of leadership in our personal and professional lives and what it takes to develop the human behind the leader.

Silvia has worked in different countries, across many industries, helping teams and organisations improve business performance. Silvia’s clients have described her as a passionate, dynamic, a highly experienced speaker and master facilitator on the topics of Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Change, Neuroleadership & Engagement.

Silvia is passionate about leaving a legacy of well-rounded leaders who can act and decide in a way that better serves humanity. Her clients include Microsoft, Australian Stock Exchange, NSW Government, VISA, Fuji Xerox and Manpower amongst many other global companies.

Posts by Silvia Damiano

Leading With The Brain In Mind With Angella Clarke-Jervoise

By Silvia Damiano on 7 March 2025

Leading With The Brain In Mind With Angella Clarke-Jervoise

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Angella Clarke-Jervoise, the i4 Neuroleader™ Master Trainer for Brisbane, Australia, about her journey in leadership development, executive coaching and organisational transformation. With over 25 years of experience in professional service …

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The Ripple Effect of Leadership

By Silvia Damiano on 5 March 2025

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How Virtual Work is Shaping Global Leadership & Amplifying Poor Behaviours Have you ever watched a leader at the top of their game, charismatic, visionary and inspiring, only to notice how their behaviours ripple through their organisation, shaping how thousands of others act? Now …

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Building Resilient Teams In The Age Of AI: A Case For Brain-Friendly Leadership

By Silvia Damiano on 17 February 2025

Building Resilient Teams in the Age of AI: A Case for Brain-Friendly Leadership

We are living in an era of rapid and profound transformation. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and global digital integration is reshaping the business landscape at an unprecedented pace. Companies are adopting entirely new operational models, with many restructuri …

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Developing Leadership Skills: Key to Successful Professional Integration in 2024 and Beyond

By Silvia Damiano on 16 September 2024

Developing Leadership Skills: Key to Successful Professional Integration in 2024 and Beyond

Developing leadership skills has become essential for professionals across all careers, not just those in high-level management positions. In a competitive and constantly evolving job market, companies are looking for employees who not only possess technical knowledge but also leaders …

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How Does The Brain Determine Right From Wrong?

By Silvia Damiano on 5 July 2024

How Does The Brain Determine Right From Wrong?

It is thought that our brains can consciously process forty frames of information in one single second. However, the unconscious brain can process around 1.2 million frames of information in that same second. Scientists believe these unconscious bits of information actually drive our …

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When Others Think You Are Available Because You Work from Home

By Silvia Damiano on 2 July 2024

When Others Think You Are Available Because You Work from Home

A few weeks ago, I had to meet with a colleague who asked me to go to her house to work on our common project. In my two hours there, her family interrupted her several times, even though it was in the middle of a workday. I observed her harmonious and gentle demeanour as she dealt wi …

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Friendship Marriage: Would you do it?

By Silvia Damiano on 27 June 2024

Friendship Marriage: Would you do it?

Amid Japan's declining marriage rates, a new relationship trend called ‘friendship marriage’ is gaining popularity. Intrigued by this trend, I decided to explore its meaning. Unlike happy marriages based on high-quality friendship, deep emotional connection and romance, friendship mar …

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Break The Cycle & Transform Your Leadership

By Silvia Damiano on 24 June 2024

Break The Cycle & Transform Leadership

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” - Henry Ford This powerful quote by Henry Ford perfectly encapsulates the essence of the upcoming i4 Neuroleader™ Methodology Certification in Bali. It’s a call to action to break free from the repet …

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Learning To Be Calm: The Neuroscience Behind Workplace Stress

By Silvia Damiano on 18 June 2024

Learning To Be Calm: The Neuroscience Behind Workplace Stress

When coaching people with the i4 Neuroleader™ Assessment, one of the most common areas for improvement that I notice is ‘how to learn to manage tension in the workplace’. The pressure to perform, meet deadlines, and juggle multiple tasks can lead to a constant state of tension and anx …

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How Can You Become a Trustworthy Leader?

By Silvia Damiano on 7 June 2024

How Can You Become a Trustworthy Leader?

As the 2024 American presidential race heats up, the political landscape again sees Joe Biden and Donald Trump vying for the highest office. The nation is divided, with levels of trust in America sitting around 40 (Global Index around 51). The last four years have seen an erosion of t …

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Impulse Control In Leadership

By Silvia Damiano on 29 May 2024

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Leadership requires a diverse range of skills and qualities. One such attribute that is critical yet often overlooked is impulse control. Influential leaders display composure under pressure and engage in critical thinking while providing appropriate responses in various situations.

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The Complexity of Beliefs

By Silvia Damiano on 20 May 2024

The Complexity of Beliefs - newsletter

Belief is integral to human existence, moulding our perceptions, decisions and interactions with the world. It shapes how we see ourselves, others and the universe, guiding our thoughts, behaviours and values. But what exactly constitutes belief, and why does it hold such significance …

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