Ian Robertson, a renowned professor of Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin, delves into the neurological and psychological effects of winning , offering fascinating insights into the power of confidence and the importance of maintaining perspective and explains how an animal that has won few fights against weak opponents is much more likely to win later bouts against stronger contenders. Success changes the chemistry of the brain, making you more focused, smarter, more confident  and more aggressive. And the more you win, the more you will go on to won. But the downside is that winning can become physically addictive. The world where the drive to achieve isn’t an abstract concept but a life force, igniting the fire within individuals to reach their highest potential, irrespective of their backgrounds.This drive is the intrinsic achievement motivation is the internal engine propelling individuals to pursue and attain their goals, spurred by internal rewards and personal fulfilment rather than external recognitions or rewards. This is what makes winners out of the determined and the resilient. Robertson devle into the tale of Ursula Burns, the woman who climbed the rungs of poverty to become the CEO of Xerox, illustrating the paramount significance of intrinsic motivation. Born in utmost poverty and hardships, Ursula’s journey epitomised the relentless pursuit of goals with unwavering grit. Genetic Fatalism, the myth that our genes hold the reins to our destinies, can obscure there landscape of possibilities and hinder growth. We need to embrace the realisation that our destinies are crafted by our hands, our beliefs fuel our journeys an dour grit write our saga of success.

By understanding what the mental and physical changes are that take place in the brain of a  winner,  how they happen, and why they affect some people more than others, Roberston explains what makes a winner or a lose- and how we can use the answers to these questions to understand better the behaviour of our business colleagues, employees, family and friends.

Winner Effect: The Science of Success and How to Use It by Ian Robertson, Bloomsbury, 320 pages £8.32