The document discusses the default mode network (DMN), a network of brain regions that are active when an individual is not focused on tasks. The DMN is involved in daydreaming and predictive thinking based on past experiences and the current environment. There is ongoing research trying to understand what the DMN is doing and how it relates to behavior, beliefs, thoughts, and more. Coaches can help identify when a client's DMN is active and leverage it to achieve coaching goals by addressing negative patterns of thinking that may be hindering progress.

1. The Default Mode Network
What is it and What Does it Mean for
Coaches?

2. Evelyn McKelvie & Coach
“Harold”
Evelyn McKelvie, CEC, ACC
Internal Coach, University of British
Columbia
Founder, The Equine Coach
www.equinecoach.ca

3. A map of the brain‟s Default Mode Network
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/access/id/45263/title/Wandering_and_wonderin
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4. DMN - A Definition
 Areas of the brain that form a network and are
active when we are not task-focused. Also
referred to as the “task negative network”.
 During task-positive activity, the DMN is less
active.
 Everyone has one of these.
 May play a specific role in illnesses such as
depression, autism, schizophrenia.

5. DMN – Very Complicated!
 All manner of research is being done to
understand brain networks.
 Neurologists, psychologists, social scientists
all interested in the DMN
 What is the DMN doing
 How does it relate to our behaviour, beliefs,
conscious thought, etc?

6. DMN – Very Complicated!
 DMN is associated with states of daydreaming
 The brain appears to be engaged in
„predictive‟ activity.
 DMN also associated with actions that
reference memory.
 Based on past experience and current
environment, DMN is predicting outcomes,
evaluating threats and identifying rewards.

7. DMN and Learning
 What role does the DMN play in the ability to
learn?
 What role does it play in our self-talk?
 What actions can coaches take to identify the
DMN at work?
 How can we leverage the DMN to achieve
coaching goals?
 What feelings, thoughts, fears, assessments
are made in the DMN?
 What patterns of thinking may be getting in
the way of coaching goals?

8. Strategies to defeat Negative
DMN.
 Paying attention
 Using humour
 Noticing and employng “free won‟t”
 Meditation
 Journalling

9. Your Thoughts?

10. Bibliography
 Morcom, Alexa M., and Paul C. Fletcher. "Does the brain have a
baseline? Why we should be resisting a rest." Neuroimage 2007:
1037-1082. Web. 10 Mar. 2012.
 Raichlea, Marcus E., and Abraham Z. Snyder. "A default mode of
brain function: A brief history of an evolving idea." Neuroimage
2007: 1083-1090. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
 Raichlea, Marcus E. "The default mode network and self-
referential processes in depression." PNAS 12 Dec. 2008: 1083-
1090. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.
 Bar, Moshe. "Th e proactive brain: using analogies and
associations to generate predictions." Trends in Cognitive
Sciences Web. 7 Mar. 2012.
 Rock, David, and Linda J. Page. Coaching with the Brain in
Mind: Foundations for Practice. Wiley, 2009. Print.
 Posner, Michael I., and Mary K. Rothbart. "Toward a physical