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

Why Reading is Such a Good Workout for the Brain

by Silvia Damiano on 9 May 2019

Why-Reading-is-Such-a-Good-Workout-for-the-Brain - About my Brain Institute

You probably read things all day long. Reports, emails, news articles, research--some or all of these likely cross your desk (or computer). But, do you take the time to indulge your curiosity and read fiction? To read for fun?

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Biohacking Your Body for Better Sleep

by Silvia Damiano on 7 May 2019

Biohacking-Your-Body-for-Better-Sleep - About my Brain Institute

The term “biohacking” may bring nefarious images to your mind, such as criminals sneaking around trying to take over your body. While this notion may be dangerous and even a little seductive, in reality, wellness coaches mean something else entirely. Biohacking means optimising your t …

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4 Methods to Increase Your Influence with Others

by Silvia Damiano on 2 May 2019

4-Methods-to-Increase-Your-Influence-with-Others- About my Brain Institute

One single person cannot successfully run a large organisation. Delegating responsibility, influencing others and managing time and resources wisely are required to be an agile, effective leader. The art of influencing others can be extremely nuanced and personal, and leaders who stri …

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The Modern Epidemic: Why Are Leaders Burning Out?

by Silvia Damiano on 30 April 2019

The-Modern-Epidemic-Why-Are-Leaders-Burning-Out - About my Brain Institute

Positions of power often seem to be burdened by an unwanted force–stress. Is stress a necessary evil for people in the upper echelons of leadership, or for those who wield power in an organisation? Leaders are burning out at alarming rates, and perhaps we are turning a blind eye to a …

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Bon Appétit! Cook For Your Friends To Relax Your Brain

by Silvia Damiano on 25 April 2019

Bon-Appétit-Cook-For-Your-Friends-To-Relax-Your-Brain - About my Brain Institute

After a long day’s work, spending an evening with friends is an excellent way to unwind, relax, and let your brain have a respite. Pleasant conversation, tasty food, and a nice beverage allow the mind to stop worrying about work or other problems and instead focus on the present. What …

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4 Tips To Bring Back Your Balance

by Silvia Damiano on 23 April 2019

4-Tips-To-Bring-Back-Your-Balance- About my Brain Institute

For many, balance means the tightrope tricks needed to properly invest time into work and personal endeavours. However, the idea of balance extends to how we prepare our minds and bodies to perform at their best, not only at work but also with our friends and family. The ideal balance …

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4 Tips to Revamp Your Attitude for Success

by Silvia Damiano on 18 April 2019

4-Tips-to-Revamp-Your-Attitude-for-Success- About my Brain Institute

The prevailing attitude in the workplace can create the conditions needed for innovative growth, or it can lead to a toxic environment where new ideas are unwelcome. The willingness to embrace doing things in a new way and adopting a positive mindset in regards to experimentation are …

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Positive People Help You Increase Your Performance

by Silvia Damiano on 16 April 2019

Positive-People-Help-You-Increase-Your-Performance - About my Brain Institute

Life has a funny way of connecting human beings. It could be chance encounters at a coffee shop, camaraderie in a computer game, or an interaction at a convention. We meet all types of people in our daily lives, but some people aren’t good people to spend time with. How can we mingle …

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3 Ways To Become A More Adaptable Leader

by Silvia Damiano on 11 April 2019

3-Ways-To-Become-A-More-Adaptable-Leader- About my Brain Institute

Humans tend to be creatures of habit. Repetition means there are no surprises or dangers lurking in the shadows. Certain parts of the brain, including the basal ganglia, are responsible for repetitive behaviours. Breaking free of the daily routine is necessary, however, to be a more a …

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How Can Human Innovation Thrive in the Era of AI?

by Silvia Damiano on 9 April 2019

How-Can-Human-Innovation-Thrive-In-The-Era-of-AI - About my Brain Institute

Human innovation is what sets us apart from other species on the Earth. This ingenuity has allowed us to progress from living in caves to living in cities sprawled across the world, and even to a presence in space. The notion that artificial intelligence will supplant human innovation …

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5 Ways to Become More Courageous

by Silvia Damiano on 4 April 2019

5-Ways-to-Become-More-Courageous- About my Brain Institute

The idea of courage can mean different things to different people. For some, it means leaving a relationship that isn’t working out. For others, it means quitting a job to follow a dream. While courage can mean many things, one central theme unites us all--being courageous sets us fre …

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Afraid Of Change? How To Maintain An Agile and Mindful Workforce

by Silvia Damiano on 2 April 2019

_hero-image-Afraid-of-Change-How-to-Maintain-an-Agile-and-Mindful-Workforce

When we think of special forces teams in the military, we often think of agile teams ready to quickly address issues to ensure a successful mission. However, these highly trained units typically include cross-functional experts and no officers. These teams make on-the-ground decisions …

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