Neuroscience for Organizational Change: An Evidence-based Practical Guide to Managing Change

by Hilary Scarlett

Overview

Organizational change can be unpredictable and stressful. With a better understanding of what our brains need to focus, organizations can increase employee engagement, productivity and well-being to successfully manage periods of uncertainty.

Drawing on the latest scientific research, Neuroscience for Organizational Change explores the need for social connection at work, how best to manage emotions and reduce bias in decision-making and why we need communication, involvement and collaboration to help us through change.

Practical tips and reflections can be found throughout, as well as examples of how these insights have been applied at organizations such as Lloyds Banking Group and PepsiCo. The book also sets out a science-based planning model, SPACES, to enhance engagement.

This updated edition of Neuroscience for Organizational Change contains a new chapter on Neurodiversity and Change for organizations as they become aware of the need to create an environment where all employees can perform at their best. It also features revised content reflecting the latest insights and developments in AI, and updated real world examples, giving a long-term view of the benefits of applying neuroscience in organizations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781398621305
Publisher:	Kogan Page, Ltd.
Publication date:	07/29/2025
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Hilary Scarlett is an international speaker, consultant and author. Her work has spanned Europe, North America and Asia and focuses on helping leaders in the private and public sectors to introduce change efficiently and effectively. Based in London, UK, she is a member of the British Neuroscience Association and the British Psychological Society.

Table of Contents

** Chapter - 01: Introduction – why the world needs top-performing teams and the argument for team coaching; ** Chapter - 02: Beyond tools and techniques – why is a team coach’s ‘way of being’ so important?; ** Chapter - 03: Team coaching frameworks, models and approaches – introducing the ‘Creating the Team Edge’ framework; ** Chapter - 04: The purpose driven team – why does being purpose driven matter so much?; ** Chapter - 05: Team identity – why is team identity so important?; ** Chapter - 06: Team values and beliefs – why are team values and beliefs so important?; ** Chapter - 07: Team awareness – why is it important to develop awareness both in and beyond a team?; ** Chapter - 08: Team relatedness – why is building trust and connection so important?; ** Chapter - 09: Team ways of working – how can teams keep reinventing how they work together?; ** Chapter - 10: Team transformation – what do teams need to do to become transformational?; ** Chapter - 11: Developing Team Coaches and Leaders – Developing your team coaching practice; ** Chapter - 12: Neurodiversity and Change – create an environment where employees perform best; ** Chapter - 13: Conclusion – what does the future require of team coaching?

Editorial Reviews

"Hilary Scarlett has achieved something remarkable, an immensely readable guide to the way that modern work impacts upon our minds. Anyone wanting to improve the impact of their job on them or their teams will be enthralled by it."

bestselling author of Fortitude and The Joy of Wor Bruce Daisley

"In a world of constant change, understanding how the brain responds is essential for effective leadership. Hilary Scarlett's work powerfully shows why leaders must approach change with empathy, helping them support their teams in smarter, more human ways. This book is an essential guide for anyone who wants to lead with both insight and compassion."

Sophie Bialaszewski

"This is an outstanding read, packed full of compelling evidence and generously thought provoking. For any HR professional looking to get under the human skin of organizational change it's a biblical handbook, helping to sense-make the stuff we know intrinsically to be true. This is not just a book about neuroscience, it's a neuroscience enterprise in itself, rich insightful learning, presented in short, digestible chunks and coated with practical suggestions and ideas. Piquing our curiosity and encouraging us to remember every page."

Civil Service Commissioner and NHS Board Chair Dr Neil Wooding CBE

"This book interprets fantastically the latest understanding from neuroscience to our working world. From navigating relationships, to dealing with change and stress, the insight, evidence and depth of study enables us all to optimize our potential and that of those around us. This third edition is updated with interesting new research and continues to be a source of great wisdom. A must-read resource for all leaders and aspiring leaders!"

Paula Leach

"The book is clearly written, highly readable, insightful and packed with actionable ideas. The new content on neurodiversity and psychological safety provides guidance that a leader can valuably implement with every team they work with."

Alison Crosland

"In this second edition, Hilary has added significant insights on behavioural change (both for self and others) as well as clear applications readers can use to maximize their own productivity. This book continues to provide leaders and change agents with a timeless version of how to translate science into practical steps in working with change and leading their people."

Visiting Fellow of Roffey Park Institute UK and th Dr Mee-Yan Cheung-Judge

"Filled with pertinent research and generous insight, this book is a pleasure to read. Every professional involved with behavior change should read this book to ensure that they have the latest applied information on the topic. Scarlett has seamlessly integrated the logic for why it is important to change with the realities of how our brains can fight us in changing. Working with behavior change without the scientific knowledge provided in this book is a certain handicap for all genres of change professionals."

Editor-in-Chief Change Management Review Theresa Moulton

"This is an outstanding read, packed full of compelling evidence and presented in short, digestible chunks with practical suggestions and ideas. It's an invaluable handbook for any HR professional looking to get under the human skin of organisational change and to help them to make sense of the stuff we know intrinsically to be true."

Dr Neil Wooding

"Hilary Scarlett manages what few do in this space: she brings neuroscience into organizational change without dumbing it down or dressing it up. In a field thick with neuro-myths and brainy buzzwords, this book is both academically robust and intensely useful."

author of The Science of Organizational Change Paul Gibbons

"Hilary Scarlett has produced a fascinating and accessible guide to the science behind our behaviour at work. Full of practical advice, this will be a useful book for anyone wanting to become a better manager, and for leaders with the vision to build a more positive workplace."

Jo Swinson

"Grounded in relevant research and rich with insight, this book is both enlightening and practical. Every professional engaged in behaviour change will benefit from its up-to-date, applied perspective. Hilary Scarlett masterfully bridges the 'why' of change with the 'how' of our brain's resistance to it. To approach behaviour change without the scientific foundation this book offers is to work with an unnecessary disadvantage."

Theresa Moulton

"This book is a great synthesis of scientific research and practical implementation. It enables readers to understand the science and then apply it to improve both their own performance and that of their teams."

Vincent Walsh

"The additional work in the second edition of Neuroscience for Organizational Change adds an extra dimension of practicality to the ideas in the first edition. Put simply, the extra chapters gave me lots of ideas for the content of my change plans, to really help achieve behavioural change. I loved the emphasis on well-being and how to treat our brains with care. I think that guidance is a great conversation starter for organisations beginning to prioritise mental health at work. This book is useful, relevant and readable."

Melanie Franklin

"Hilary Scarlett has achieved something remarkable, an immensely readable guide to the way that modern work impacts upon our minds. Anyone wanting to improve the impact of their job on them or their teams will be enthralled by it."

Twitter & author of Sunday Times bestseller The Jo Bruce Daisley VP EMEA

"To me, leadership is fundamentally about change. Yet change, of course, is nearly always resisted and extremely hard to achieve. This excellent book has helped me to understand why this is, and how to respond effectively, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of any change programme being successful."

Richard Deverell

"Neuroscience for Organizational Change is a key resource for managers and consultants in the planning and conduct of neuroscience-based organizational change. Hilary Scarlett provides a comprehensive and practical discussion of the link between neuroscience principles and organizational change. This is a book that you will use again and again."

Board Chair emeritus of the Association for Talent Walter McFarland

"This book is a must-have resource for change practitioners and leaders who want to understand how people process information, what can be done to manage threat and reward responses, and how to lead change. The way we manage change is changing and this book helps us understand that every person travels a unique and personal journey through change that leaders can influence when the right approach is used."

Michelle Pallas

"Change, in all forms, wants to disrupt and do things differently, while our brains prefer a steady state with repetitive actions. Hilary Scarlett has provided a practical, accessible way to understand this reality and improve how we manage our leadership and change needs."

David W. Jamieson

"This is one of the most stimulating books I have read in a long time. It's essential reading for any leader who wants to understand and get the best out of their people."

CEO Weber Shandwick UK & EMEA Colin Byrne

"Hilary Scarlett has done an excellent job of translating hard science into practical steps.... The wealth of insights provided by this book will make a feast of reading for all leaders whose desire to keep the organisation in 'flow'."

Dean of the European NTL Organisation Development Dr Mee-Yan Cheung-Judge

"A brilliant read for anyone leading change. This book really helps you understand how people tick and is packed full of practical advice to guide people through uncertainty and have change land successfully."

Mairi Doyle

"Those looking to understand how organisational change can be led in a psychologically enlightened or 'brain friendly' way should find this book rich and useful."

CIPD Book Review by Jonny Gifford

"I learned a lot from reading this wise book - for my job, for my team and for myself. It just all makes so much sense. In these fiercely logical but friendly and practical pages, I found a clear and compelling argument for managing change in a more thoughtful, informed and ultimately human way."

Clare Barclay

"Full of practical advice, this will be a useful book for anyone wanting to become a better manager, and for leaders with the vision to build a more positive workplace."

Minister for Employment Relations 2012-2015 Jo Swinson

"This book is an important contribution to the increasing focus on productivity and on employees' emotional and mental welfare."

David MacLeod

"This is the most stimulating book I have read in a long time. It’s essential reading for any leader who wants to understand and get the best out of their people."

Weber Shandwick, UK & EMEA - Colin Byrne

"A practitioner’s delight! Finally, a handy book that lays out the power of using neuroscience to rethink how organizations lead change."

SABMiller - Samantha Rockey

"Engaged employees are fundamental to the success of organizations. If we can understand the brain better then we can better understand what motivates people and enables them to feel, and be, engaged at work. This book is an important contribution to the increasing focus on productivity and on employees’ emotional and mental welfare."

Engage for Success - David MacLeod OBE