Sleep: The Battery Behind Great Leadership | Ep. 41 | The Science of Leadership

In this episode of  @TheScienceofLeadership , host Tom Collins explores the profound connection between sleep and leadership with eminent sleep researcher Dr. Phil Gehrman. The conversation delves into how proper rest influences decision-making, innovation, and the overall well-being of leaders. With fascinating anecdotes and empirical studies, this episode reveals what most leaders overlook — the critical role sleep plays in sustaining effective leadership.

Dr. Phil Gehrman unpacks the science of sleep and its underestimated importance in cognitive function, emotional regulation, and leadership skills. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Gehrman challenges the misconception that sleep is a passive state, emphasizing instead that it is a highly active process crucial for mental health and performance.

The episode highlights topics such as the ideal amount of sleep, the distinction between sleep quantity and quality, and the vital importance of rest periods for leaders. By leveraging groundbreaking studies and personal experiences, listeners gain valuable insights into the practical steps necessary for maximizing sleep quality.

 

Key Takeaways:

🔸Active Sleep Process: Sleep is an active, restorative process, not a passive one — essential for cognitive recovery and long-term memory consolidation.

🔸Individual Sleep Needs: The average adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep, but individual needs may vary; quality of sleep is as crucial as quantity.

🔸Impact on Leadership: Insufficient sleep adversely affects executive functions crucial for leadership, like decision-making and impulse control.

🔸Importance of Consistency: Routine sleep schedules, coupled with intentional rest periods during the day, significantly enhance sleep quality and leadership efficacy.

🔸Sleep Deprivation Study: Lack of sleep contributes to impaired performance over time and hinders an individual's ability to assess their own cognitive degeneration.

 

Key References:

Bian, W., Biswas, R. K., Ahmadi, M. N., et al. (2025). Dose-response associations of device-measured sleep regularity and duration with incident dementia in 82391 UK adults. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 516.

Carney, C. E., Manber, R., & Bootzin, R. (2009). Quiet your mind and get to sleep: Solutions to insomnia for those with depression, anxiety, or chronic pain. New Harbinger.

Gottesman, R. F., Lutsey, P. L., Benveniste, H., et al. (2024). Impact of sleep disorders and disturbed sleep on brain health: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Stroke, 55(3), e61-e76.

Howard, C., Mukadam, N., Hui, E. K., & Livingston, G. (2024). The effects of sleep duration on the risk of dementia incidence in short and long follow-up studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine, 124, 522-530.

Mayer, G., Frohnhofen, H., Jokisch, M., Hermann, D. M., & Gronewold, J. (2024). Associations of sleep disorders with all-cause McI/dementia and different types of dementia: Clinical evidence, potential pathomechanisms, and treatment options: A narrative review. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18, 1372326.

Olsen, O. K., Pallesen, S., Torsheim, T. & Espevik, R. (2016). The effect of sleep deprivation on leadership behaviour in military officers: an experimental study. Journal of Sleep Research, 25(6), 683–689.

Palpatzis, E., Bass, N., Jones, R., & Mukadam, N. (2022). Longitudinal association of apolipoprotein E and sleep with incident dementia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 18(5), 888-898.

Sen, A., & Tai, X. Y. (2023). Sleep duration and executive function in adults. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 23(11), 801-813.