The Neurobiology of Performance: Applying Brain-Friendly Practices in Coaching & Wellbeing Training

During a recent chat with Dr Kaushik Ram, we discussed questions coaches and leaders may have before embarking on our programs. Our 2024 edition of the i4 Neuroleader™ Certification, has been upgraded to include lessons on the ‘Neurobiology of Coaching, Well-Being and Brain-Friendly Practices’. 

What is a brain-friendly coach?

A brain-friendly coach helps clients become healthier and happier, and our programs provide the tools needed to support the brains and bodies of those you work with.

Please note: The ‘Neurobiology Of Coaching, Well-Being and Brain-Friendly Practices’ program mentioned in the video above, has since been converted into self-paced lessons that make part of our online i4 Neuroleader™ Assessment Certification. 

Breaking Down Performance

Performance is a very broad area of research, so to make it easier to understand and process how to improve mental performance, we’ve broken it into four key pillars--mental readiness, balance, integration and ethics. 

Mental Readiness

Mental readiness means we are mentally prepared to face a situation or challenge. Our brains are always ‘on’ in our busy world, and distractions are constant. How can we ensure that our brains are ready to perform when a million things are pulling at our attention?

Mental readiness means we are focused, confident, motivated and resilient. Goal setting, visualisation and positive self-talk can help people cultivate a more proactive mindset, enhancing performance and wellbeing while reducing doubt and anxiety.

Why would improving mental readiness be helpful for our clients? Situations that require high levels of concentration and rapid decision-making require a ready and willing brain. Ensuring that we can cope with unexpected events means we are mentally prepared to cope with these challenges effectively.

Read our Mental Readiness articles here.

Balance

Balancing the body and the brain can be tricky but is well worth the effort. We cannot have optimal performance with just the brain or just the body. Rather, they are both required, and we must create a harmonious relationship between them. 

Fortunately, there are several methods to help promote balance. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgement. Encouraging a healthy diet, enough sleep and regular exercise also promote balance. 

Connecting with others can also promote mental and physical health. Spending time with friends and family, perhaps while walking in nature or playing something fun like pickleball, can help create a more balanced and harmonious relationship between the body and the brain.

Read our Balance articles here.

Integration

Integration refers to the effective functioning of various components of the brain and body that create a healthy biological system. Brain integration is critical regarding coaching and leadership effectiveness and general health and wellbeing.

What is an integrated system like, and how would this benefit our clients? An integrated system is evident in someone who is mostly calm but also alert, responsive, mindful and energetic. Imagine supporting clients not yet experiencing integration and the myriad of positive changes they can look forward to.

The prefrontal cortex, which sits just behind the forehead in our skulls, is involved in decision-making, planning and abstract reasoning. Ensuring this structure is working properly is vital for consistent and effective leadership. The brain is such a powerful tool, so why not learn how to support integration to enhance performance?

So often we lean to performance-enhancers to help us mimic integration. Substances such as caffeine can give us a temporary edge but often leave side effects to be dealt with later. Improving cognitive function can help the brain and body communicate, and we should not rely on chemical means to create a similar effect. 

Read our Integration articles here.

Ethics

In today’s online world, ethics seem to be forgotten. Keyboard warriors say hateful things behind anonymous veils, causing damage to individuals and businesses. People may argue that confronting this decline in ethics can stifle progress. However, we can move forward with the right morals and practices in place.

Our personal ethics shape who we are, and addictions can make it easier to bend or break our own rules. Money, greed and power drive many people in positions of power, be they political or in the business world. Learning to stay true to your ethics in such challenging conditions is a hallmark of a neuroleader. 

Teaching clients to become more ethical requires a shift in thinking. We must be aware of our addictions and be willing to honestly reflect on how we are doing as a leader, parent, friend or caregiver. When the brain and body work together to form a robust and ethical foundation, our decision-making and resourcefulness will improve. 

Read our Ethics articles here.

What Sets our Programs Apart from Other Offerings?

It is easy to talk about performance from a brain perspective. Many programs address mindset and neuroscience, but only a few also take the body into account. Our programs will ensure you have the skills and tools to support yourself or your clients while increasing performance.

Are the i4 Neuroleader™ Certification programs right for me?

The answer is yes if any of the following apply:

• You are a beginner in the coaching realm. Are you just starting and looking to improve your skill set? Unlock the i4 Neuroleader Methodology to improve brain and body function.
  
  
• You are more experienced, or even very experienced. We can always enhance our toolbox; even the most experienced coaches can find something new to help optimise their client’s performance. 
  
  
• You are a consultant, coach or leader. This journey of self-discovery will provide you with ideas and experiences to share with clients and team members while supporting brain-friendly cultures. Knowing how to improve and preserve wellbeing in others is complex and requires a systematic approach.
  
  
• You are busy but intrigued. The program is set up to be worker-friendly. Weekly sessions (with breaks scattered throughout) will keep your learning up to speed while providing the time needed for integration.
  
  
• You believe that improving performance is possible. You can share so much practical knowledge with your clients about balancing and integrating the mind and body. Likely, these skills will also positively impact your life as well.

Optimising Performance on a Biological Level has Many Positive Impacts

When we optimise performance on a truly biological level, from the brain to all parts of the body, we can expect positive improvements in other areas, including collaboration, innovation and agility. We have an opportunity to awaken abilities we might not regularly use in the workplace, such as imagination and creativity. 

We, as a workforce, have never faced circumstances like those of today. Some people are leading people remotely, or people who work at home and the office or people who work onsite all the time. How can we influence and inspire people to help them adapt to this new world? 

Learning how to coach from a biological perspective is better than telling people to simply change. People are less receptive to commands, but they are more likely to make changes when they understand how their brain and body can become synchronised for better results. 

When people create policies for others without understanding the brain and body and how they interact, they limit performance. People will come together in a state of harmony when their wellbeing is supported. And employees are rightfully starting to expect and demand these working conditions. 

Employers may need to learn how to drive employee wellbeing, so this program is aimed at coaches and leaders who want to better understand themselves and how to improve wellbeing. Leaders should be role models for others, so as coaches, we should also model brain-friendly practices to our clients. 

A note from our Founder, Silvia Damiano

Dr Ram and I invite you to acquire a neurocoaching mindset and explore how to optimise brain and body function.

Learn more about our certification programs here!