5 Neuroscience Secrets for Better Coaching with Susan Britton

Guest: Susan Britton
WHY.os: Better Way – Make Sense – Contribute

In this episode of Beyond Your WHY, Dr. Gary Sanchez is joined by Susan Britton, founder of the Academies for Coaching. Susan is an expert at helping coaches and leaders use neuroscience to tackle challenges and create lasting change. With her ability to simplify complex brain science, Susan offers valuable insights that can help you rethink how you approach leadership, personal growth, and team dynamics. Her focus on finding better ways to lead and coach makes this a must-listen for anyone looking to grow.

Three things you’ll learn in this episode:

How to rewire your brain for success: Susan breaks down how change happens in the brain and offers practical ways to push past mental blocks. “Healthy change involves doing things that are hard for you to do. That’s how you rewire your brain,” she says.
Why mentorship matters: Susan shares how her own mentors pushed her to grow, especially when one asked, “What will happen if you don’t do this?” This simple but powerful question shifted her perspective on taking action.
The science of building better teams: Susan introduces the concept of “collective intelligence,” where team members work together to create better solutions. “You don’t get better ways until you listen to others and create together.”

Listen now to gain these powerful insights and learn how you can start making better decisions for yourself, your team, and your future!

Connect with Susan!

LinkedIn
TheAcademies.com

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Watch the episode here

0:00 – Introduction to Susan Britton
4:12 – The ‘Better Way’ Approach
9:25 – Simplifying Neuroscience for Coaching
13:47 – Collective Intelligence and Listening
18:30 – Brain-Friendly Coaching Techniques
22:15 – The Neuroscience Behind Change
27:40 – Conquering Fear of Public Speaking
32:50 – System Psychodynamics in Change
37:15 – The Importance of Mentorship
41:08 – The Intersection of Science and People

How Understanding Your Brain Can Help You Lead: Insights from Susan Britton on the Beyond Your WHY Podcast

What if the key to success wasn’t just about working harder but understanding how your brain works? In this episode of Beyond Your WHY, Dr. Gary Sanchez invites Susan Britton, founder of the Academies for Coaching, to share her expertise on how neuroscience can revolutionize the way we approach leadership and coaching. Susan is no ordinary coach—she blends science with practical strategies to help leaders overcome mental barriers and create lasting change. Her deep understanding of the brain, combined with years of experience coaching leaders and teams, makes her a valuable resource for anyone looking to level up their personal and professional growth.

Susan’s insights are simple yet powerful. She takes the complex topic of neuroscience and breaks it down into easy-to-understand concepts that anyone can apply. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating personal challenges, or just curious about how to push past your mental roadblocks, this episode offers practical advice that will stick with you long after you finish listening.

The Power of Rewiring Your Brain for Change

Susan dives into how change actually happens in the brain and why it can feel so hard. “Healthy change involves doing things that are hard for you to do. That’s how you rewire your brain,” she explains. The brain forms habits, and when we try to break those habits or take on new challenges, it pushes back. But by consistently taking small steps outside of our comfort zone, we create new neural pathways that help us grow. This concept is crucial for anyone who feels stuck in a rut—your brain might resist at first, but it’s capable of amazing things once you commit to doing the work.

This approach applies to all areas of life, whether you’re facing fear in public speaking, like Susan mentions in the episode, or trying to shift a team’s dynamic at work. The key is to keep challenging yourself and to know that discomfort is part of the process.

Mentorship as a Catalyst for Growth

Throughout the episode, Susan emphasizes how important mentorship has been in her own journey. One moment that stood out for her was when a mentor asked, “What will happen if you don’t do this?” This question hit her hard and became a driving force in how she evaluates opportunities and challenges. Mentorship isn’t just about getting advice; it’s about having someone push you to see things you might be avoiding.

Mentors help you find better ways to navigate your challenges (see what we did there?). Susan’s experience shows how asking the right questions and having someone in your corner can lead to breakthroughs. It’s not about having all the answers yourself, but about surrounding yourself with people who can guide you to see things differently.

Building Better Teams Through Collective Intelligence

One of the most practical takeaways from the episode is Susan’s discussion on “collective intelligence.” This is the idea that great ideas don’t come from one person but from groups working together. “You don’t get better ways until you listen to others and create together,” Susan says. As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to solve everything on your own. But tapping into the collective intelligence of your team can lead to better solutions and stronger connections.

Susan’s advice is clear: fostering an environment where people feel heard and valued doesn’t just make them happier—it leads to innovation. If you’re looking to boost your team’s performance, it might be time to stop talking and start listening.

Ready to Rewire Your Brain?

Susan Britton’s insights in this episode go beyond surface-level advice—they give you actionable steps to start thinking differently, leading more effectively, and tackling your personal and professional challenges. Whether it’s understanding how your brain responds to change, finding better solutions through mentorship, or harnessing the power of your team’s collective intelligence, there’s something here for everyone.

If you’re ready to learn more about how neuroscience can change the way you lead and live, listen to the full episode of Beyond Your WHY with Susan Britton now!

About Susan Britton

Susan Britton is the founder and president of the Academies for Coaching. Using her WHY of Better Way, she’s passionate about finding even Better Ways to train and equip coaches. She’s done that through a focus on the brain, and has spent the past 10 years simplifying key neuroscience concepts that help people make meaningful change.

She has a long history of finding even Better Ways, as evidenced by her seven published books, her curation of hundreds of neuroscience studies, and her ICF-accredited coaching curriculum with memorable models and brain friendly tools.

While at the helm of The Academies, her coach-education company has helped thousands of leadership and career coaches across six continents to add coaching credentials to their approach … so that they, too, can find even better ways to simplify change and contribute to work cultures that help people thrive.