August 17, 2023
Consider the following example:
Elena, a 34-year-old executive, sought coaching after being passed over for promotion for the third time. Despite her undeniable technical expertise, Elena believed she lacked "leadership presence." She frequently made self-deprecating comments like, "I'm just not cut out for leadership," which limited her professional growth.
Transformational coaching, primarily rooted in the domain of language, focuses on the way an individual's language, emotions, and body coalesce to create their reality. Elena's coach, Maya, decided to focus on Elena's linguistic patterns.
Maya started by asking Elena to recount past incidents that made her feel less of a leader. As Elena shared, Maya noted her language patterns, like the use of limiting words and self-deprecating assertions.
Maya introduced Elena to studies showing the plasticity of the brain and how changing one's language and thoughts can literally rewire the brain. Maya explained that the neural pathways supporting Elena's self-deprecating beliefs were just well-trodden paths, but weren't immutable.
Maya then posed a question, "What if 'being cut out for leadership' isn't a fixed trait but a skillset and mindset you can develop?" Elena hesitated, having never considered this perspective.
Maya introduced Elena to powerful questioning and affirmative language. Instead of making an absolute statement like, "I can't lead," Elena was coached to ask, "How can I develop my leadership skills?"
While language was the primary focus, Maya touched upon how Elena's linguistic changes would resonate with her emotions and physical body. She explained the 'body-mind connection' – how the brain and body constantly communicate (1). By asserting herself positively, Elena would not only reshape her neural pathways but also create a more assertive and confident physical presence.
Elena was encouraged to practice her new linguistic patterns both in and out of the coaching sessions. Maya also introduced Elena to journaling, which research has shown can provide clarity and influence self-identity (2).
After a few weeks, Elena's transformation was noticeable. Not only did she express herself more assertively, but she also reported feeling more capable. Most significantly, she began taking up leadership roles in project teams, no longer held back by her previously limiting beliefs.
During a feedback session, her supervisor remarked, "Elena now speaks and acts with conviction. It's as if she's unlocked a version of herself we always hoped to see."
This case study underscores the potency of transformational coaching, particularly the domain of language, in reshaping an individual's self-concept. By refuting self-limiting assertions and introducing empowering linguistic structures, individuals can rewire their brains, align their emotions, and manifest new ways of being.
Assertions and Assessments in Transformational Coaching
Tranformational coaching, at its core, delves deep into the essence of human beingness, focusing heavily on the roles of language, body, and emotions in shaping our reality. This form of coaching has been transformative for many, offering insights into how our conversations with ourselves and others influence our actions, relationships, and outcomes. Central to this discourse are two types of linguistic declarations: assertions and assessments.
Assertions refer to factual claims we make about the world - those that can be objectively verified. For instance, when we say, "The sun rises in the east," we're making an assertion. Assessments, on the other hand, are deeply rooted in our personal interpretations, judgments, and beliefs. When someone claims, "That movie was terrible," they're basing it on personal taste rather than an incontrovertible fact.
Understanding the distinction between these two is crucial. While assertions remain consistent across the board, assessments vary, influenced by individual backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and more. But beyond just the realm of language and coaching, there's a fascinating layer to explore: how does our brain, with its intricate neural networks, process these statements? And can neuroscience offer insights into the world of transformational coaching, especially concerning assertions and assessments?
In this article we will venture into the intersections of ontology, language, and neuroscience, illuminating the profound connections between our linguistic patterns and the workings of our brain.
Understanding Assertions in Transformational Coaching
Assertions serve as the foundational bedrock of our linguistic interactions. In transformational coaching, an assertion is a statement or declaration we claim to be factual or true. It is objective in nature and can be either confirmed or disconfirmed using evidence or a standard reference.
Let's take the statement, "The meeting starts at 10 am." This assertion can be easily verified by checking a schedule or asking a relevant authority.
At its essence, assertions provide a shared reality - a common ground upon which individuals can base their interactions. They serve as anchor points, ensuring that a conversation is rooted in clarity and mutual understanding.
The processing of assertions is intricately linked with the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, a part of our brain responsible for decision-making, logical thinking, and evaluation of objective truths (3). When we encounter an assertion, the prefrontal cortex gets to work, determining the validity of the statement against known facts or references.
Furthermore, our brain's inherent preference for certainty and predictability means it is well-equipped to process and store factual information. Assertions, therefore, not only provide clarity in our interactions but also offer our brain a sense of security by delineating clear boundaries between what's known and unknown.
However, it's essential to note that while assertions can be verified, they are not always accurate. Human error, outdated information, or misconceptions can lead to incorrect assertions. In transformational coaching, it becomes crucial to discern and validate assertions, ensuring that individuals are operating from an informed and accurate perspective.
In summary, assertions play a pivotal role in our linguistic framework, offering objectivity and clarity. With the prefrontal cortex at the helm, our brain adeptly processes these factual statements, ensuring that our interactions and understandings are grounded in shared reality. As we delve deeper into the world of ontology and neuroscience, the distinction between assertions and assessments becomes even more critical, underscoring the nuanced complexities of human communication and cognition.
Understanding Assessments in Transformational Coaching
Assessments, unlike the objective foundation of assertions, are imbued with personal interpretation, opinion, and subjectivity. In the sphere of transformational coaching, assessments offer a lens through which individuals view the world, colored by their beliefs, experiences, and cultural backgrounds.
Consider the statement, "That meeting was unproductive." While it appears to be a definitive claim, it stems from personal interpretation. What might seem unproductive to one might be viewed as deliberative or contemplative by another.
The inherent subjectivity of assessments is deeply interwoven with the workings of our brain, especially the amygdala - a central hub for emotional processing (4). When we make an assessment, it is often intertwined with our emotional reactions to a particular situation or experience. The amygdala plays a pivotal role in these responses, gauging emotional significance and influencing our judgments accordingly.
Moreover, assessments are heavily influenced by past experiences. The brain's limbic system, which houses the amygdala, is instrumental in forming memories linked to emotions. Past encounters, both positive and negative, can mold our present-day assessments. For instance, a past project that failed despite prolonged meetings might lead an individual to assess longer meetings as unproductive.
Transformational coaching places a significant emphasis on recognizing, questioning, and, when necessary, altering these assessments. By bringing awareness to these subjective interpretations, individuals can gain insight into their underlying beliefs and the potential biases that shape their worldviews.
Yet, the subjective nature of assessments isn't a limitation but rather a doorway to deeper self-understanding. By acknowledging the neural basis of these judgments - understanding the role of the amygdala and limbic system in emotional processing and memory formation - individuals can more fully appreciate the depth and nuance of their perspectives.
In the grand tapestry of human communication and understanding, assessments offer shades of meaning, emotion, and individuality. While they lack the objective verifiability of assertions, they enrich our interactions with depth and personal resonance. And as neuroscience reveals, these subjective interpretations are not mere whims but deeply rooted in the intricate dance of neural networks, memories, and emotions.
The Neuroscience of Assertions and Assessments
Assertions and assessments, though linguistically distinct, both have their roots in the intricate workings of the human brain. Neuroscience, with its exploration of neural pathways, provides profound insights into how our brains process both objective and subjective information.
Processing Objective Information: The Prefrontal Cortex
When confronted with assertions - objective claims about reality - our prefrontal cortex is primarily engaged. This region is linked with executive functions such as decision-making, logic, and the evaluation of objective truths (3). It serves as a filter, allowing us to determine the accuracy of an assertion against known references or experiences.
Processing Subjective Information: The Amygdala and Limbic System
Assessments, rooted in subjectivity and personal interpretation, involve the amygdala and the broader limbic system (4). Our emotional reactions, past experiences, and even cultural and societal influences can shape our assessments. When we make subjective claims, the limbic system gauges emotional significance, drawing from a reservoir of memories and feelings to inform our judgments.
Neuroplasticity and Its Implications
An exciting realm of neuroscience is the study of neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections (5). Every time we make an assessment or assertion, neural pathways in our brain are activated and strengthened. This means that repetitive patterns of thinking or interpreting situations can reinforce certain neural pathways, making some assessments more dominant or habitual over time.
Interplay between Objective and Subjective Processing
The distinction between the prefrontal cortex's role in processing assertions and the limbic system's role in assessments isn't rigid. Often, these systems work in tandem. For example, when confronted with a new piece of information (an assertion), our brain might tap into previous experiences (assessments) to contextualize or understand it better.
Implications for Transformational Coaching
Understanding this neuroscience backdrop is pivotal for transformational coaches. By recognizing how the brain processes and distinguishes between objective and subjective information, coaches can better assist clients in navigating their worldviews. Additionally, leveraging the concept of neuroplasticity, coaches can help clients reshape or reform certain persistent or unhelpful assessments, leading to new perspectives and realities.
In summary, the interplay between assertions, assessments, and our brain's neural networks is a dance of logic, emotion, memory, and adaptability. As we uncover more about this intricate relationship through the lens of neuroscience, we gain deeper insights into the very fabric of human cognition, communication, and understanding.
The Convergence of Transformational Coaching and Neuroscience
The journey of understanding oneself, both in terms of actions and perceptions, is intricate, multifaceted, and deeply personal. Transformational coaching, with its emphasis on the power of language, offers a unique lens to navigate this journey, allowing individuals to discern between objective realities and personal interpretations. This differentiation between assertions and assessments provides a roadmap to self-awareness, growth, and transformation.
Neuroscience, on the other hand, offers empirical insights into the physiological processes underpinning our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. By understanding how different regions of our brain play pivotal roles in processing facts and emotions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and dynamism of human cognition. This intertwining of objective and subjective realities is not just philosophical but deeply rooted in our neural pathways.
The case of Elena, among countless others, showcases the transformative potential when these two domains converge. By challenging and reframing assertions and assessments, individuals aren't just altering perceptions; they're leveraging the inherent neuroplasticity of the brain to reshape their neural landscapes. This process signifies more than just personal growth; it's a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the human spirit.
In essence, the harmonization of transformational coaching and neuroscience emphasizes the profound power of self-awareness and reflection. As we continue to explore and understand the interplay of assertions and assessments in our lives, we are not only discovering truths about our surroundings but also forging new narratives of identity, purpose, and potential.
In this ever-evolving journey of self-discovery, one thing remains clear: through introspection, guided reflection, and a deep understanding of our neural underpinnings, we have the power to craft, recraft, and embody narratives that resonate with our deepest aspirations and values.
References
1. Damasio, A. (1994). Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. Penguin Publishing.
2. Pennebaker, J.W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science.
3. Goldman-Rakic, P.S. (1996). The prefrontal landscape: Implications of functional architecture for understanding human mentation and the central executive. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
4. LeDoux, J. (2000). Emotion circuits in the brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience.
5. Draganski B., et al. (2006). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature.
