Enhancing goal attainment through solution-focused cognitive-behavioural coaching incorporating neuroscientific principles

Abstract

Orientation: This article explores enhancing goal attainment through solution-focused cognitive-behavioural (SF-CB) coaching incorporating neuroscientific principles.
Research purpose: The study aimed to develop and explore the contribution of integrating neuroscience principles into an SF-CB coaching framework on goal attainment.
Motivation for the study: While goal-setting is well established as a means of supporting personal and professional success, limited research has integrated neuroscientific principles into coaching practice. Solution-focused cognitive-behavioural coaching can be adapted using neuroscience to enhance goal attainment.
Research approach/design and method: This interactive qualitative study, within a social constructionist paradigm, explored the impact of integrating neuroscientific principles into an SF-CB coaching framework on goal attainment. A purposive sample of five participants took part in coaching sessions using the newly developed DANIEL framework, which integrated solution-focused, cognitive-behavioural and neuroscientific principles. Data were then collected and analysed using interactive qualitative analysis methodology.
Main findings: Emotional intelligence was the primary driver of goal attainment, enabling self-awareness and emotional regulation needed to set and pursue meaningful goals. An agile mindset supported goal attainment by fostering adaptability and learning, while skills orientation supported continuous development.
Practical/managerial implications: Result orientation emerged as the primary outcome, motivating focused, deliberate action towards goal attainment.
Contribution/value-add: This research contributes to coaching and industrial and organisational psychology by combining solution-focused and cognitive-behavioural approaches, informed by neuroscience, to enhance goal attainment. It provides practical insights to enhance coaching effectiveness in personal and organisational contexts and supports future research in neuroscience-informed coaching.