Cognitive Dominance: A Brain Surgeon's Quest to Out-Think Fear

How do we keep our cool when things go wrong? When the stakes are high, how do we prevent unexpected events from causing a “fear freak out” that can derail our progress? In his engaging and absorbing book, Cognitive Dominance, Dr Mark McLaughlin shows how we can short-circuit our knee jerk response to fear and move past it.Those who are familiar with Daniel Kahneman’s work, Thinking Fast and Slow, or the “lizard brain/higher brain” concept of mind recently re-popularized Seth Godin, will find some of the concepts described in this book familiar. However, Dr McLaughlin comes up with a fresh way of describing the underlying science in an easily understandable way for the beginner, while also giving added insights for those already familiar. As he describes it, Brain 1.0 is the older part of the brain, reactive and flight or flight dominated. Brain 2.0 is where our higher, rational decision-making brain happens. By sharing detailed tools he developed to help us move from fear based, Brain 1.0 thinking, into to our higher, Brain 2.0 mind, Dr McLaughlin helps the reader face their fears, work through them, and achieve their goals.The science and the tools are well worth the read, but the personal stories of cases Dr McLaughlin has performed in the operating room makes the concept come alive in a very compelling way. Dr McLaughlin shows how he uses his tools to quickly work through the moment life and death decisions. Some of his patients have obviously made a big impact on him, and he is an excellent storyteller in this regard. There were many times I could not put the book down until late at night because I had to find out the outcome of one of his cases! Dr McLaughlin tells the stories in a way that is both deeply personal and very moving. Additionally, the detailed descriptions of the mechanics of neurosurgery really put you there in the OR with his team of nurses, scrubs and assistants!Full disclosure- I have long had the pleasure of working with Dr McLaughlin in the OR of my community hospital. The stories in this book present a true portrait of how Dr McLaughlin approaches his work every day in surgery, both with his patients and his teammates in the OR. He truly is dedicated to excellence every case, every day, and is committed to helping others reach their full potential, both professionally and personally.As a guide to overcoming your fears and achieving your goals, Cognitive Dominance is a must read for any nurse or physician leader, as well as anyone interested in tools to help them work through life’s challenges.

Great update on the brain’s capabilities! I bought another copy for my granddaughter who is beginning grad school for PhD in psychology.

Ever since modern humans began to walk upright, we’ve carried fear as an instinct programmed into our nervous system. Fear has enabled us to survive by providing us with an alarm system for avoiding dangerous situations which can negatively impact our probability of survival. The correct titration of the fear instinct is critical. Too little of it means we might not stay safe. Too much of it might lead to not taking enough risk to be fruitful. What makes this even more complicated is that our society has evolved faster than our human nature. Some of our basic fear instincts may not be appropriate in the 21st century. That's why we need Cognitive Dominance.In his book, “Cognitive Dominance”, Dr. McLaughlin takes us on a fascinating journey as he dissects the mechanics of the fear instinct. The author breaks down fear into its two components: Brain 1.0, the relentless alarm bells which warn us about something awry in our environment and Brain 2.0 the cognitive process which we go through to discern how to optimize this information we have just received. The ongoing tango between Brain 1.0 and Brain 2.0 is the cornerstone of the book.Using some passionate and riveting personal anecdotes, Dr. Mclaughlin educates the reader on how to use Cognitive Dominance to harness and tame the wild bucking bronco of fear. These lessons are immediately applicable to all of us. As the reader learns about why fear is instilled in us and by breaking down its components, fear can become a familiar companion rather than a bogeyman. Paging through the book, everyone can reflect and identify these “Phere” instances and how they had dealt with them in the past, sometimes in not the best way. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this book can change, and possibly save, someone’s life.A real life superhero, Dr. McLaughlin refuses to waste a minute on this earth. Through his dedication and generosity, Dr. Mark McLaughlin’s energy and inspiration have helped and cared for countless numbers of patients and their families. He’s left a positive imprint on hundreds of youth wrestlers who have paid heed to his guidance and life principles and many of them now are young adults making similar contributions By reading “Cognitive Dominance", the rest of the world has the opportunity to be one of his young proteges, . It’s a story and a reference guide that can be turned to over and over. “Cognitive Dominance” has my highest recommendation.

This is a book easy to read which I really enjoyed how the writer demonstrated the ways we can identify and face our fears. It offers the reader the tools to deal with unexpected events in our work and personal lives. Strongly recommended.

Stellar! Dr. McLaughlin’s book is ambitious in scope and deserves a place on the reading list of anyone seeking to perform at the peak of their potential.The book moves seamlessly from intimate stories of his neurosurgical career, through philosophy and science, to the moving and deeply personal conclusions. This is NOT a casual read of “quick tips”. The author takes us on a shared journey that demands our focus and participation, but the payoff is worth it.Dr. McLaughlin offers up specific tools to interrupt the action of a runaway brain, and engage the powerful thinking machine that we humans are blessed with. The examples are gripping and true.The book is both optimistic and realistic…, guided by a sense of the duty and obligation to contribute in this world. He invites the reader to choose to be creative and courageous, and offers methodology to get there, but it is understood that it’s the reader’s choice. We choose to take control of our actions, or we do not.It is also (at least in my reading), a loving remembrance and testimony to the individuals who helped shape his world view.I highly recommend this.