From Aha to Ta-dah: insights during life coaching and the link to behaviour change

Insight represents a cognitive leap in understanding that is distinct from other types of problem-solving. How moments of insight subsequently link to behaviour has not been investigated in real world settings such as coaching. By extending findings from neuroscience into the field of life coaching, our study examined the link between moments of insight and changes in behaviour in a one group, pre-post, mixed method design. Moments of insight and non-insight were tracked over nine life-coaching sessions with a population of women (N = 6) and their coaches (N = 6). Changes in behaviour were assessed at eight weeks post intervention. Insights occurred five times more often (p = .03) during life coaching than in the previous six months. Analysis of qualitative data showed a narrative pattern between goal-progress, moments of insight, and sustained behaviour change. The coach’s role in evoking insight is explored.