🌿 “Take in the Good”

katrincharlton
Sep 3
4 min read

Why Leaders Who Thrive Know How to Rewire Their Brains

A senior client once admitted after a tense board review: “I can’t stop replaying that one tough bit of feedback—even though most of it was positive.”

I could see the weight of it in his posture. The glow of nine affirmations had been dimmed by one sharp critique.

And he’s not alone. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? The mind hooks itself onto the one misstep, the one offhand comment, the one doubt.

It’s not weakness—it’s wiring.

Psychologist Rick Hanson puts it beautifully:

“The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones.”

Our biology leans towards what could harm us, scanning for the shadow instead of the sunlight. Helpful in the wild, perhaps—but less so when you’re leading people, shaping strategy, and carrying responsibility.

The Quiet Power of Shaping Your Mind

Neuroscience tells us that our brains change through what we repeat. “Neurons that fire together, wire together.”

And so, if stress, worry, and over-analysis are the patterns, the brain dutifully builds those pathways deeper. But—here’s the gift—our focus can redirect the wiring.

Hanson calls it “taking in the good”: lingering on moments of strength, of satisfaction, of joy, long enough that they sink beneath the surface. Not just fleeting sparks—but inner anchors.

How Leaders Practise This in the Real World

I’ve seen leaders transform their days with this one small shift:

In the blur of back-to-back meetings, they pause at the end of a good one. Just for 20 seconds. They breathe in the energy of alignment, let it settle in their chest.
After navigating conflict, they notice the one bridge built, not just the battles.
When their team shows trust, they take the time to let that trust be felt, not just acknowledged.

These micro-moments—so easily rushed past—become the soil where resilience and clarity grow.

Gratitude and the Good

At this point, people often ask: Isn’t this just gratitude?

The answer is: connected, but not quite the same.

Gratitude is about noticing—consciously scanning for what’s working, what you’re thankful for, what supports you. It widens perspective and softens the grip of constant problem-solving.

“Taking in the good” is about absorbing—letting those positive moments sink into the nervous system so they leave an imprint. Gratitude sets the stage; “taking in the good” ensures the moment lasts.

Together, they create a loop: gratitude helps leaders spot the light, while “taking in the good” makes sure the light doesn’t fade before it can do its work.

For leaders, this isn’t fluffy—it’s a practice that shapes how you show up. A leader who cultivates both is more likely to stay balanced, model optimism, and create space for innovation, even under pressure.

Mistakes, Growth, and a Different Kind of Leadership

Mistakes replay louder than wins. I’ve worked with leaders who deliver outstanding results, only to obsess over the one line in the deck that faltered.

“Taking in the good” doesn’t mean ignoring mistakes. It balances them. It gives the nervous system a chance to steady itself so that missteps can be seen not as failures, but as data for growth.

This is where it meets growth mindset. From a grounded place, leaders can approach criticism with curiosity rather than defensiveness.

They can ask: 2What can I learn here? " instead of "What’s wrong with me?2

Strength doesn’t come from pretending the hard bits don’t exist—it comes from remembering we are more than the hard bits.

Why This Matters in Transitions

I’ve noticed that leaders in big transitions—stepping into new roles, restructuring, facing uncertainty—need this practice most.

Because in those moments, self-doubt can be loud. Decisions feel heavy. And the spotlight is brighter than ever.

Those who ritualise “taking in the good” build steadier ground beneath their feet. They show up calmer, clearer, less reactive. They’re able to see beyond the storm to the horizon.

This isn’t soft. It’s strategic.

Try It Today

Take one moment from today—a win, however small.

Hold it in your mind and your body for 20 seconds. Notice what changes in you when you let it land.

That’s it. No journal, no app, no extra time. Just presence.

Do it often enough, and you start to rewire. You shift from reactive to resilient, from scanning for threats to leading with steadiness.

✨Strength grows in the moments we choose to pause—what might that look like for you?

An Invitation

I work with senior leaders and founders navigating high-stakes roles and transitions. Together, we use science-backed tools like this one to build presence, resilience, and sustainable impact.

If you’re curious about how this could support you or your organisation, let’s connect.👉 Schedule a call