Live Your Legacy: The Three-Brain Framework
- Carrie Rodarte
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming.” — Mandy Hale
As a rooted leader, your decision-making is not limited to logic alone. True leadership requires integrating the wisdom of all three of your "brains"—the head, heart, and gut. Each offers its own unique intelligence, and when used together, they form a powerful decision-making framework. In this post, we’ll explore how to leverage the intelligence of your head, heart, and gut to make decisions that are aligned, authentic, and deeply rooted in purpose.
Understanding the Three-Brain Framework
The Three-Brain Framework is based on the concept that we have three centers of intelligence: the head (cognitive), the heart (emotional), and the gut (intuitive). These centers don’t operate in isolation. Instead, they work together to guide our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
The Head (Cognitive Intelligence)
The head is our brain’s cognitive center—the place of logic, reasoning, and problem-solving. It helps us analyze situations, weigh options, and make rational decisions. The head is essential for gathering information, strategizing, and understanding the broader context of a decision.
The Heart (Emotional Intelligence)
The heart represents our emotional intelligence and the connection we have to our values and relationships. The heart helps us understand how a decision will impact others and whether it aligns with our deeper emotional values. Emotional intelligence guides us to lead with empathy, build trust, and connect authentically with others.
The Gut (Intuitive Intelligence)
The gut is our intuitive center—the part of us that makes decisions based on instinct and a deep sense of knowing. It’s the "inner compass" that allows us to trust our hunches and navigate uncertainty. Intuition often draws on our subconscious experiences and helps us respond quickly and confidently when logic or emotion is not enough.
Why Integrating All Three Brains is Key to Rooted Leadership
Rooted leadership requires a balance of all three intelligences. Here’s why each one is essential:
The Head Provides Clarity and Strategy
The head helps us analyze situations, weigh the pros and cons, and create a clear strategy. Without cognitive intelligence, we might lack the structure or direction needed to lead effectively. However, when overused, it can lead to overthinking and indecision. Rooted leaders use their head to gain clarity and make informed choices.
The Heart Provides Purpose and Connection
The heart is where our values, empathy, and emotional connections reside. Decisions made purely with the head can be cold or disconnected from people’s needs. The heart brings compassion and alignment with your deeper purpose, ensuring that your leadership is centered around building relationships and fostering a positive culture. It ensures that your decisions resonate with authenticity and meaning.
The Gut Provides Instinct and Alignment
The gut helps us align with our intuition and deeper wisdom. While the head and heart provide crucial input, the gut is what tells us whether something "feels right." It helps us navigate ambiguity and complexity by trusting our inner knowing. Rooted leaders leverage their gut to make decisions that align with their core values, even when there’s no clear path forward.
How to Integrate the Three Brains for Aligned Decision-Making
Making decisions as a rooted leader requires integrating all three brains. Here’s how you can leverage each of your three intelligences for more aligned, grounded leadership:
Use the Head for Clarity
Start by gathering information, analyzing the situation, and considering your options. What does your logical mind say? What are the facts and data? How does the decision fit with your broader goals? Use your head to clarify the path ahead, but avoid letting it dominate the process.
Check In with the Heart for Alignment
Once you have clarity from your head, check in with your heart. Does this decision align with your values? How will it impact others emotionally? How does it make you feel on a deeper, personal level? Your heart’s input ensures that your decisions reflect your true purpose and foster connection with others.
Listen to Your Gut for Intuitive Guidance
Finally, listen to your gut. How does the decision feel on an intuitive level? Does it align with your inner knowing, even if you can’t fully explain why? Your gut is often your best guide when you’re faced with ambiguity or when the logical path isn’t clear. Trust your instincts to help you make the final decision.
Practical Exercises to Strengthen Each Brain
The Three-Brain Framework is not just a theory—it’s a practical approach to decision-making. Here are some exercises to strengthen each center of intelligence:
Strengthening the Head (Cognitive Intelligence):
Practice strategic thinking by regularly reflecting on your goals and how different decisions align with them.
Take time to analyze situations logically—create pros and cons lists, weigh options, and gather data before making a decision.
Strengthening the Heart (Emotional Intelligence):
Engage in empathy-building exercises, such as listening deeply to others without judgment.
Reflect on how your decisions align with your personal values and consider the emotional impact on others before acting.
Strengthening the Gut (Intuitive Intelligence):
Practice mindfulness and meditation to tune in to your body and intuition.
Start making small decisions based on gut instinct—notice how your body feels when you trust your intuition and learn from those experiences.
Why the Three-Brain Framework is Essential for Rooted Leadership
Rooted leadership is about leading from a place of balance, alignment, and authenticity. By integrating the cognitive intelligence of the head, the emotional intelligence of the heart, and the intuitive intelligence of the gut, rooted leaders can make decisions that are not only strategic but also aligned with their deeper purpose. This integration allows leaders to move forward with confidence, clarity, and a deep sense of connection to themselves and others.
When you combine the wisdom of all three brains, you create a leadership style that is both grounded and adaptable, enabling you to navigate the complexities of modern leadership with ease and purpose.
The Three-Brain Framework offers a holistic approach to leadership, drawing on the combined wisdom of your head, heart, and gut. As a rooted leader, learning to integrate all three centers of intelligence will allow you to make decisions that are aligned, authentic, and purpose-driven. In the next post, we’ll explore how to lead without the pressure of performance and embrace your true, grounded self.
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