Better Leaders

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Neuroscience-Informed Coaching Practice

Sarah M. McKay &

Sarah Smith 

Chapter

First Online: 30 September 2021

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Abstract

Neuroscience provides coaches with a compelling lens through which to view their coachee’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours. However, enthusiasm for integrating neuroscience into coaching often outpaces the coach’s knowledge of the subject matter. In addition, there is no empirical evidence for the use of neuroscience within positive psychology coaching (PPC) per se. To address these concerns, this chapter considers the lessons learned from two disciplines which have scrutinised the opportunities and limitations of translating neuroscience into practice: educational neuroscience (EN) in the classroom setting and psychoeducation (PE) in the mental health setting. Opportunities exist for the thoughtful development of neuroscience-informed coaching practice including (i) the development of neuroscience-informed content for coaching conversations (the ‘what’), (ii) the development of neuroscience-informed structures or tools for the delivery of coaching (the ‘how’), and (iii) validation of coaching efficacy using neuroscience technology (e.g. testing how coaching ‘works’). Attention needs to turn towards the training of coaches in how to assess, understand and integrate neuroscientific research to ensure the continuation of evidence-based coaching practice.

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Further Reading

  • Brann, A. (2017). Neuroscience for coaches how to use the latest insights for the benefit of your clients (2nd ed.). Kogan Page.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, A. (2015). Coaching the brain: Neuro-science or neuro-nonsense? The Coaching Psychologist, 11(1), 31–37.

    CrossRef Google Scholar 

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  • McKay, S. M., & Kemp, T. (2019). Neuroscience and coaching. A practical application. In S. Green & S. Palmer (Eds.), Positive psychology coaching in practice. (pp. 57–70). Routledge.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Think Brain Pty Ltd, Allambie Heights, NSW, Australia

    Sarah M. McKay

  2. University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK

    Sarah Smith

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Eclorev, Paris, France

    Wendy-Ann Smith

  2. École de Psychologues Praticiens, Paris, France

    Wendy-Ann Smith

  3. University of East London, London, UK

    Wendy-Ann Smith, Ilona Boniwell & Suzy Green,  & 

  4. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Wendy-Ann Smith & Ilona Boniwell & 

  5. Positran Ltd, Epone, France

    Ilona Boniwell

  6. The Positivity Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Suzy Green