iNTERNAL iMPACT
August 1, 2013
COACHING
AND
THE BRAIN
Jane Creswell, MCC
Agenda
• Physiology of the Brain
• Neural Networks
• Storing/Retrieving Information
• Fear
• Application to Coaching
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The Brain
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The Brain in Your Hand
Cortex
Brain stem
Limbic system
Left side view
From “Coaching With the Brain in Mind”
by David Rock and Linda Page
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Front view
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The Cortex
Sensory
Cortex
Motor
Cortex
Pre-frontal
Cortex
Rear
Association
area
Limbic system
Left side view
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Neural Networks
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Retrieving, Storing, Retaining Info
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Memory
Structure
Memory Structure
Short Term Memory
Aging Long-Term
Memory
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Your Multiple Brains

Cephalic Brain (50-100B neurons):
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
Cardiac Brain (30-120K neurons) :

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Cognitive Perception
Thinking
Making Meaning
Emoting
Valuing
Relational Affect
Enteric Brain (200-500M neurons):
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Identity
Self Preservation
Mobilization
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Fear
Thalamus: Determines where to send data
Sensory cortex - Interprets sensory data
Hippocampus – Memory; processes stimuli to establish context
Amygdala - Decodes emotions; stores fear memories
Hypothalamus - activates "fight or flight" response
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Pattern Matching and Metaphor
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Key Brain Function Concepts
Use it or Lose it
The Brain is Changing Every Second
Parts of the Brain Used Most Grow Strongest
Free Will has Significant Impact
Fear Inhibits Learning
The Brain is a Pattern Matching System
Metaphor: Most Readily Accepted Form of Learning
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Application to Coaching
• Developing the Relationship
• Coaching Presence
• Active Listening
• Powerful Questions
• Direct Communication
• Creating Awareness
• Designing Actions
• Managing Progress and Accountability
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Resources for Coaching and the Brain: Books
• A User’s Guide to the Brain - by John J. Ratey, MD
• The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from
the Frontiers of Brain Science – Norman Doidge
• Brains: How They Seem to Work – Dale Purves
• Cellular Wisdom for Women – Joan C. King
• Coaching with the Brain in Mind: Foundations for Practice –
David Rock and Linda Page
• Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Great Leaders –
Srinivasan S. Pillay
• Your Brain at Work – David Rock
• Using Your Multiple Brains to Do Cool Stuff – Marvin Oka and
Grant Soosalu
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Resources for Coaching and the Brain: Web
• The NeuroLeadership Institute
– www.neuroleadership.org/
• The Lunbeck Institute; Images of the Brain
– www.cnsforum.com/educationalresources/imagebank//de
fault.aspx
• How Stuff Works: The brain’s response to fear
– health.howstuffworks.com
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