Coaching Neuroscience

In every coaching conversation, there is an understanding that internal and external stressors often inhibit the coachee from moving their thinking forward. In some instances, roadblocks are self-inflicted, like the over-analyzing of a potential outcome to a situation that never actually ends up happening. And in other instances, the stressors are very real, like the conversation of a poor performance review that may lead to a layoff or termination. 

Leaders have the opportunity to help their teams reflect on the stressors that can impact the focus on work, people, and performance.

Read the Article: The Neuroscience of Effective Leadership; Cultivation of a Healthy Corporate Culture through Neurochemicals

Stress Hormones that Affect Neurological Responses

Stress is a trigger that results in the body, brain, and chemicals reacting in uncontrollable ways. To better understand responses to stress, leaders can help their team dive deeper into the actual stressors and their chemical and neurological responses.

The four primary hormones that impact human reactions to stressors and triggers are dopamine, cortisol, serotonin, and oxytocin. 

1. Dopamine: Dopamine is the happy hormone released when we do what we love. For example, when creating a "to-do" list for the day, we set up the expectations to complete those tasks, and check them off one-by-one. For each item, dopamine is released to give us a shot of motivation and reward to finish what is on the "to-do" list. Dopamine is also responsible for addiction, telling the brain to repeat patterns (although sometimes unhealthy ones) that allow it to release that feel-good hormone.

2. Cortisol: Cortisol is the most commonly-known stress hormone that sets the mind and body into a "fight, flight, or freeze" reaction when faced with a trigger. In normal circumstances, it is the hormone that keeps us going during a stressful workday. However, when the body is continuously firing off cortisol in prolonged, high-stress situations, the body shifts to develop a low immune system, interrupted sleep, and weight gain. When working with teams who share the stress of the work, you may find an increase in absenteeism, illness, and exhaustion. 

3. Serotonin: Serotonin is the hormone that plays a key role in happiness, mood, sleep function, digestion, and healing. We need serotonin to help regulate our body's heart rate and the ability to learn and maintain a sense of pride and joy. When serotonin levels become too low, there is an increase in self-pity, anxiety, stress, and fear; yet when serotonin levels are too high for long periods of time, the body responds with increased heart rate and fever. For some, serotonin has been coined, "the leadership hormone;" when its levels are increased, there is a visible sense of confidence and assertiveness to achieve one's goals and take charge (Yazdanifard, R. & Zhe, J., 2015).

4. Oxytocin: Oxytocin is the "love hormone," triggered by touch and emotional connection, and sexual desire. Higher levels of this hormone indicate trust, intimacy, and empathy, and often fires when people feel cared for.  Of all of the hormones discussed, this one is the most infectious, often shared with laughter and smiles and a sense of humor. Lower oxytocin levels are most commonly found in environments where others do not release oxytocin levels or when people are isolated, lack trust in others, or lack social skills in meaningful communication and affection. 

"Although the effects of neurochemicals are entirely personal, the collective stimulation of oxytocin and serotonin in each and every employee will gradually help the organization to cultivate a good corporate culture."

(Yazdanifard, R. & Zhe, J., 2015).

8 Coaching Questions to Prompt Hormone-Awareness

1. Why is this most important to you? (Dopamine, Cortisol, Serotonin & Oxytocin)

2. In what situations have you found yourself most successful? (Dopamine)

3. What physical reactions have you noticed in those types of situations? (Cortisol, Serotonin & Oxytocin)

4. What most concerns you about this issue? (Cortisol & Serotonin)

5. What might be some reasons not to address this issue? (Cortisol & Oxytocin)

6. What does success look like for you here? (Dopamine, Serotonin & Oxytocin)

7. Who else might share your vision for success? (Dopamine, Serotonin & Oxytocin)

8. What might be some barriers to you being successful in this endeavor? (Cortisol & Serotonin)

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Final Thoughts...

Leaders have a great responsibility in developing people and ensuring their wellness to work toward great performance.

Understanding how the brain and body function in the response to stress can help guide how to coach each team member differently, to elevate areas of strength and remove potential barriers for meeting their goals. Finally, coaches who model the self-reflective understanding of the neuroscience behind stress can better assist others in mediation strategies for greater self-regulation in response to stress.

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