We develop throughout life. Those of us who are able to continuously develop toward sustained, desired change do so, in part, with the help of others. This form of helping is called coaching. The result of effective coaching is that a person feels excited, motivated and inspired to learn, change and try new things in life. Although not required, this course builds on concepts introduced in the MOOC entitled Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence.

Effective coaching should result in a combination of three changes: (1) the person being coached finds, articulates or reaffirms his or her personal vision, that is their dreams and passion; (2) the person changes their behavior, thoughts or feelings to move closer to their personal vision; and/or (3) the person builds or maintains a resonant relationship with one or more people. We call this the Positive (PEA) and Negative Emotional Attractors (NEA) through Intentional Change Theory. Most efforts at trying to help or motivate others are what we call “coaching for compliance,” whether by managers, teachers, doctors, or parents. In this approach, the person is brought into the negative emotional attractor by someone trying to fix them or tell them how to change. An alternative is what we call “coaching with compassion” in which the person is brought into the positive emotional attractor by initially discussing their dreams, values, and invoking hope, mindfulness, compassion and even playfulness.

Based on decades of our longitudinal and neuroscience research into coaching, the course will examine the theory, research, as well as techniques and skills in effective coaching (i.e., coaching with compassion). We will explore the building of a coaching relationship, the ethics of helping others.

The course will consist of five weeks, with three modules per week. Each module will consist of a video, some will have assigned and recommended readings, many will have reflective exercises, writing in your Personal Learning Journal, and on-line, asynchronous discussions. There will be four personal learning assignments and five tests of comprehension that will constitute successful completion of the course.

Course Syllabus

Week 1 Coaching to Inspire and Motivate

Module 1 Introduction to Helping and Coaching
Module 2 Tipping Points in the 5 Discoveries of Sustained, Desired Change
Module 3 Role of Positive and Negative Emotional Attractors

Week 2 Physiology and Neuroscience of Coaching

Module 4 Physiology of PEA and NEA
Module 5 Our Neuroscience Studies of Coaching
Module 6 Seeing Coaching in Action

Week 3 Coaching for the Ideal Self and Relationships

Module 7 Pulling for Dreams Not Just Goals: Whose Dream is it?
Module 8 Two Forms of Empathy
Module 9 Listening and Noticing

Week 4 Coaching for the Real Self, Balance and Learning Agenda

Module 10 Being in Sync
Module 11 Social Identity, Strengths and Weaknesses
Module 12 Old and New Ways to Create a Learning Agenda and Planning

Week 5 Establishing a Culture of Coaching

Module 13 Coaching in Leadership Development
Module 14 Peer Coaching as an Organization-wide Sustaining Source of Help
Module 15 In Search of the Coachable Moment

Recommended Background

There are no prerequisites for this course. However, the course will be conducted at the level expected of advanced undergraduate students, graduate students or professionals and executives. Therefore, for all participants, reading and writing comfortably in English at the undergraduate college level is desirable. Although not required, others have found it desirable to have completed the MOOC Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence.

Suggested Readings

Students should read the required readings either before or soon after each unit, but in advance of the next module. Recommended and supplemental readings can be read at any time throughout the course.