The behaviors that make a founder successful can eventually hold them back. Business psychologist Dr. Jena Booher explores why leadership growth can require an identity shift—and how coaches can help clients let go of old patterns, redefine their value, and become the leaders their companies need.

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.

“Leaders, especially at the top, don’t get any feedback. As they’re stepping into a new identity, they need you to tell them when things are going well.”

— Dr. Jena Booher

Jena Booher, PhD, is a business psychologist, executive coach, and adjunct professor teaching leadership at Rutgers Business School. She works with founders, CEOs, and executive teams navigating the psychological demands of scaling organizations, with a particular focus on judgment, courage, and leadership under pressure. Before becoming a psychologist, Jena spent nearly a decade on Wall Street at JPMorgan, including through the 2008 financial crisis. Her work today sits at the intersection of psychology, business, and human behavior helping leaders understand how they think, adapt, and make decisions when the stakes are high.

Dr. Irena O’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 PhD 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
Dr. Jena Booher’s website: www.jenabooher.com
Dr. Jena Booher’s LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/jenabooherphd

Credits:
Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
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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