Brain-Based Coaching: Evaluating Interventions Using Psychology and Neuroscience

As OD practitioners, we coach managers and executives, as well as train leaders to coach their own teams. Faced with numerous models and theories claiming “best practice” status, how do we discern effective coaching interventions from ineffective fads? During this session, we will develop an evaluative rubric – leveraging research from psychology and neuroscience – for identifying high-impact, brain-based practices. Topics will include:

• How likely is a coaching intervention to make lasting behavioral and cognitive changes (or, what does neuroplasticity teach us about good coaching practices)?
• How do social and emotional factors impact a person’s ability to be coached (or, does an intervention effectively address key social and emotional factors)?
• Does an intervention offer sound practices for coaching through conflict (or, what do psychology and neuroscience tell us about diffusing tense situations while also facilitating growth)?
• And finally: Does mindfulness – a current hot topic in coaching, self-help, and mental health – have a research-supported place in our coaching repertoire?

This will be a conversational, application-focused session, with opportunities to discuss coaching models and theories both in use and/or being considered. For participants who are not currently leveraging formal coaching models, come prepared to inquire, learn and leave with the tools for making informed evaluation of coaching models. All are encouraged to come ready to share examples of coaching through conflict from your own practice.

Dr. Jason Murphy helps organizations select, develop, and promote exceptional talent through the use of psychological assessment and empirically-supported coaching practices. As the founder and CEO of Organizational Assessment Partners, as well as a speaker and professor, Jason is privileged to have a positive impact on the hiring and development of individual contributors, managers, and executives in companies of all sizes. His work has been featured on radio and in academic journals, as well as several reference volumes. Jason has worked with organizations throughout North America, including privately held firms, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies like Emerson and Peabody. He earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from Saint Louis University, and he is a licensed psychologist in Illinois and Missouri.