Featuring insights from Scott Mellick, Centre Lead at Telstra Business Technology Centre
Catching up with client Scott Mellick, he shared valuable leadership insights on what’s working for him and his team in dealing with change and obstacles in brain-friendly ways.
Scott leads a high-performing team of 15 and has seen firsthand how small, strategic shifts can create a significant impact. By applying key learnings from the book REWIRE for SUCCESS and insights from a neuroscience-based workshop, he has successfully helped his team navigate pressure, maintain energy, and sustain performance—without falling into the burnout trap.
Here’s how Scott is integrating neuroscience-backed strategies into his leadership approach to improve decision-making, engagement, and resilience.
The Challenge: The Leadership Performance Trap
Many leaders and teams unknowingly fall into the performance trap—believing that working longer hours, skipping breaks/ lunch, and pushing harder will lead to better results. Scott himself once operated this way.
However, after learning how the brain truly works, he shifted his mindset and leadership approach, creating a healthier, more sustainable way to drive performance.
Let’s explore the key strategies Scott is applying to boost team engagement, decision-making, and energy levels.
1. The Power of Preparation: Winning Before the Work Begins
Scott firmly believes that preparation is the foundation of success. Whether in sports or business, setting yourself up for the day ahead is critical.
One of his go-to strategies? Cold exposure therapy (ice baths). This practice strengthens mental resilience, sharpens focus, and primes the brain to handle discomfort—helping him face daily challenges with a clearer, more composed mindset.
“When you start your day with something challenging, it makes everything else seem easier.” – Scott Mellick
Try This: Begin your day with a controlled challenge—whether it’s a cold shower, five minutes of breathwork, or tackling your hardest task first.
2. Breaking the ‘Always-On’ Cycle: The Case for Brain Breaks
Scott shared an eye-opening moment about team well-being and performance.
One of his team members, had been skipping lunch, believing it would help her get more done. Instead of celebrating this as dedication, Scott recognised it as a red flag for burnout.
Encouraging her to take proper breaks and refuel her brain helped improve her energy, clarity, and overall output.
Neuroscience backs this up—strategic breaks enhance focus and boost productivity, not hinder it. In fact, brain breaks also improve decision-making and reduce mental fatigue.
Try This: Take a 5-minute brain break every 60–90 minutes. Walk, stretch, or step outside for a mental reset.
3. Weekly Self-Assessment: The ‘Winning the Week’ Method
Scott has a simple but powerful practice: weekly self-reflection. Inspired by the “Winning the Week” method from REWIRE for SUCCESS, he takes time to evaluate:
- What worked well this week?
- What got in the way of success?
- What adjustments can I make for next week based on key learnings?
By making small but consistent improvements, Scott keeps himself and his team operating at a high level.
Try This: Set aside 10-15 minutes each Friday to review your week. Write down what worked, what didn’t, and one small adjustment to improve next week.
4. The Decision-Making Advantage: Creating Space for Clarity
Leaders make countless decisions daily, and rushed decisions can lead to costly mistakes.
Scott has learned that deliberate pauses before reacting lead to better, more strategic choices.
When faced with a major decision, he now steps away for a moment to reflect, ensuring he’s not reacting under pressure but responding with clarity.
This aligns with neuroscience—when we pause between stimulus and response, we engage the rational part of the brain rather than acting on impulse.
Try This: When facing an important decision, take 10–15 minutes (or longer, if possible) to step back and gain perspective or ask to respond in the next 24-hours once you have had time to process using different parts of your brain. You are likely to have deeper ideas and considerations.
5. Social Energy: Why Connection is a Performance Superpower
When talking with Scott, I shared a powerful insight from my own experience—one that completely shifted my perspective on productivity and connection.
During my time at Microsoft, I initially believed that constantly working through tasks, skipping breaks, and staying glued to my desk made me a high performer. Meanwhile, my colleague, Dave, seemed to spend a lot of time chatting with others, grabbing coffee, and engaging in conversations throughout the day.
At first, I judged him—assuming he wasn’t as focused or hardworking. Then I noticed something surprising. Not only was Dave one of the most well-liked and influential people in the company, but he was also consistently delivering high-impact work, solving complex problems, and bringing innovative ideas to the table.
It turned out that his ‘social time’ wasn’t a distraction—it was his performance advantage.
Scott and I reflected on how regular social interactions and brain breaks actually improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and enhance collaboration—all key ingredients for better leadership and decision-making.
Insight: Connection isn’t wasted time—it’s a performance multiplier.
Try This: Be intentional about social energy. Schedule short moments in your day for coffee chats, check-ins, or casual conversations. It fuels creativity, strengthens relationships, and enhances problem-solving.
The Results: Small Shifts, Big Wins
Scott’s mindset shifts didn’t just benefit him—they transformed his team’s engagement, decision-making, and resilience.
His testimonial says it all:
“I strongly recommend Vannessa’s book, REWIRE for SUCCESS. It provides wonderful insights on how to get you and your teams to perform at their peak. I’ve been lucky enough to have my team sit through one of Vannessa’s workshops, and the buy-in was fantastic. We made changes and saw results quickly.
Regarding the book, it’s not just a book—it’s a lifelong guide to reflect back on. I found myself only yesterday having to revisit it after experiencing a challenge.”
— Scott Mellick, Centre Lead, Telstra Business Technology Centre
Your Next Steps: Implement These Lessons for Better Leadership & Performance
Scott’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working brain-smart.
If you’re a leader looking to:
- Boost productivity without burnout
- Strengthen decision-making and resilience
- Create a high-performing, engaged team
Then it’s time to implement these neuroscience-backed strategies.
Are you ready to make the shift? Reach out to connect
