Managing Emotions and Listening Better: Neuroscience Tools for Conflict Resolution (Julia Menard)

Neuroscience of Coaching

Conflict leadership specialist Julia Menard and host Dr. Irena share insights on how our brains interpret and control conversations to shape our understanding. They discuss the role of the predictive brain and how neuroscience can help coaches manage difficult communications and conflict resolution.

In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching, host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.

“Understanding that we don’t just hear what’s being said, but what we expect to hear, is a crucial step in managing conflict more effectively.”— Julia Menard

Guest Bio:

Julia Menard is a conflict leadership specialist with more than 30 years of experience in mediation, coaching, and training. She began her career mediating neighborhood and court disputes, and for the past two decades has focused on helping leaders navigate workplace conflict with clarity and compassion. Julia is co-author of Hold On to Yourself: How to Stay Cool in Hot Conversations, a TEDx speaker, and co-founder of the On Conflict Leadership Institute, which equips leaders with the mindset and tools of a mediator. She also teaches at the Centre for Conflict Resolution and co-developed a practical field-tested course on how to have difficult conversations.

Host Bio:

Dr. Irena ‘Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience.

She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit.

Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Dr. Irena O'Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School
Julia’s website: JuliaMenard.com
Julia’s On Conflict Leadership Institute: OnConflict.com
Julia’s On Conflict podcast: OnConflictPodcast.com
Raven & French’s “Forms of Power”
John & Julie Gottman Institute
Getting to Yes (book)
Interpersonal Gap (John Wallen)
Ladder of Inference (Chris Argyris)
Johari window
Thomas-Kilmann Inventory (Conflict Mode Instrument)
Kraybill Conflict Style Inventory

Credits:

Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien
Producer and Editor: Andrew Chapman
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker
Artist: Avocado Junkie
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: In This Light
Artist: Sounds Like Sander
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

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Episode transcript: Managing Emotions and Listening Better: Neuroscience Tools for Conflict Resolution (Julia Menard) coming soon.