Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO of Shenomics, is an award-winning global leadership consultant and positive psychology practitioner. Her mission is to help women build a bigger impact in the world and support organizations in fostering gender-equitable leadership pipelines. With over 10,000 women trained and mentored, Bhavna has worked with Fortune 500 companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Target, providing leadership coaching rooted in mindfulness and conscious leadership.
One of the most powerful lessons from neuroscience is that genius isn’t an inborn trait—it’s cultivated through deliberate practice and structured habits. Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t born a genius. He developed his mind to think differently, to question assumptions, and to make unexpected connections across disciplines. The good news? You can do the same.
By harnessing the principles of neuroplasticity, you can train your brain to become more innovative, strategic, and insightful. Here are seven essential habits to unlock elite performance, inspired by Bhavna Toor’s leadership insights.
Highlights
Curiosità – Stay Endlessly Curious
Curiosity is the foundation of all great innovations. The world’s most successful entrepreneurs and leaders don’t settle for what they already know—they actively seek new knowledge, challenge assumptions, and push boundaries.
How to cultivate it:
- Ask “What if?” questions – Instead of taking things at face value, explore alternate possibilities. For example, “What if I had to solve this problem without a budget?” forces you to think resourcefully.
- Apply the “5 Whys” technique – When encountering a challenge, ask “why” five times to uncover the root cause. Toyota famously uses this method to diagnose inefficiencies in their production lines.
- Schedule a “Creativity Block” – Dedicate at least 15 minutes daily to learning something outside your industry. If you’re a tech entrepreneur, read about history. If you’re an investor, explore design thinking.
Curiosity leads to deeper insights, broader perspectives, and unexpected solutions.
Dimostrazione – Learn by Doing
Knowledge alone isn’t enough—what separates high performers is their ability to test and apply what they learn. Experience refines understanding and strengthens problem-solving skills.
How to apply this:
- Experiment with small, low-risk trials – Instead of waiting for the perfect plan, launch a minimal viable version (MVP) of an idea and refine it based on feedback.
- Teach what you learn – Summarizing insights into three key points and sharing them with your team boosts retention and strengthens understanding.
- Keep a “Failure Log” – Write down mistakes and reflect on what you learned from them. Leaders like Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx) credit their success to actively embracing failures as learning moments.
Da Vinci believed that knowledge isn’t real until it’s tested—make learning an active process, not a passive one.
Sensazione – Sharpen Your Senses
Great leaders see what others miss. Sensory awareness—paying closer attention to details in your environment—heightens perception, improves focus, and fosters creativity.
How to sharpen your senses:
- Use sensory triggers – Playing a specific song while working, lighting a candle, or engaging in deep breathing exercises can train your brain to enter a focused state on command.
- Describe ideas vividly – Communicate ideas as if you were painting a picture. For example, instead of saying “this market is growing fast,” say “this market is moving like a wildfire, sweeping across industries.”
- Practice mindful observation – During conversations, pay attention not just to words but also to body language and tone. These subtle cues often reveal deeper insights.
Sfumato – Embrace Uncertainty
Genius minds thrive in ambiguity. Leaders who can navigate uncertainty with confidence are the ones who drive innovation and breakthrough thinking.
How to become comfortable with the unknown:
- Sit with problems longer – Before rushing to conclusions, list at least five possible explanations for a challenge.
- Debate yourself – Write down your strongest opinion and then argue against it. This strengthens critical thinking and reveals blind spots.
- Expose yourself to opposing viewpoints – Listen to podcasts or read articles from people you fundamentally disagree with to challenge your perspective.
Arte/Scienza – Balance Logic & Creativity
Genius isn’t just about being analytical—it’s about integrating rational thinking with creative expression. The best business leaders merge the two.
How to balance both sides of your brain:
- Use the “Explain Like I’m 5” method – Break down complex ideas into a simple analogy or story. If a child can understand it, your clarity has improved.
- Cross-train your brain – If you’re in finance, take an art class. If you’re in healthcare, study psychology. Learning from opposite fields sparks creative breakthroughs.
- Visualize ideas – Create mind maps, draw concepts, or sketch workflows to engage the creative side of your brain.
Corporalitá – Strengthen Your Body & Mind
Physical movement fuels mental agility. Your brain doesn’t work in isolation—how you move affects how you think.
How to integrate movement into your work:
- Use your non-dominant hand – Brushing your teeth or writing with your non-dominant hand builds new neural pathways.
- Reverse your routine – If you always sit at a desk, take walking meetings. Changing physical habits shakes up mental patterns.
- Align tasks with energy levels – Do creative work when your energy is highest and save repetitive tasks for when it’s lower.
Connessione – See the Bigger Picture
Genius isn’t about having more knowledge—it’s about seeing connections others overlook.
How to develop pattern recognition:
- Find hidden links across industries – Ask, “How does music relate to leadership?” or “How does nature solve efficiency problems?”
- Apply systems thinking – Zoom out before zooming in. Look at the larger ecosystem before addressing isolated problems.
- Identify recurring themes – Ask yourself, “What pattern am I seeing here?” Recognizing trends early gives you a strategic advantage.
Train Your Genius Mind
Elite performance isn’t about working harder—it’s about thinking smarter. As Bhavna Toor emphasizes, genius isn’t a rare talent; it’s a skill that can be trained. Bhavna suggested that leaders can further read these books:
- Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
- How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. Gelb
- Mastery by Robert Greene
Bhavna Toor shared that by cultivating curiosity, experimenting with new ideas, sharpening your senses, embracing uncertainty, balancing logic with creativity, integrating movement, and recognizing connections, you can unlock your highest potential.
Which of these habits will you start practicing today?
Highlights
Read the Chinese version here.
