Book Review: Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To
by Andrew Downing
Whether you’re preparing for a college admissions test, an interview, or a major presentation, everyone experiences nervousness and performance anxiety, which is why Choke, by Sian Beilock, should be on your reading list.
Beilock, the current President at Barnard College, is a cognitive scientist and a leading expert on brain activity during stressful performances. Her TED Talk from 2017 about choking under pressure has 2.3 million views. Beilock is also a strong advocate for supporting women in the sciences.
Peak performance is important – not just for you but also for your team. As leaders, we must ensure that our colleagues are supported in a way that promotes their best work. That means reducing stress, using positive attitudes, and simplifying tasks, while also promoting learning.
Beilock presents the latest brain science in a straightforward manner, explaining how stress affects our brains, why we choke under pressure, and what to do about it. With incredible insight, she tackles the problem from all angles. Diving into the biases of standardized tests and adverse situations, Beilock reveals what we can do to perform better under pressure.