Coaching World Issue 19: Science of Coaching | Page 12

In this column, I offer a practical
matrix called S.T.A.R.T., inspired by
the four quadrants of the dimensions
of human attention. To “start” is to
begin a movement, making it an apt
acronym for this formula.

The Criteria
Each letter in S.T.A.R.T. represents
one criterion for the formula:
S—Specify
(area of the client’s focus)
T—Today
(the client’s availability
and time frame)
A—Achievable
(the client’s capabilities and talents)
R—Relevant
(what is really important for
the client)
T—Target
(the client’s goal)

The Equation
Combining this simple, everyonecan-do-it equation with S.T.A.R.T.

criteria makes it easy to assess the
client’s awareness of his or her
readiness to S.T.A.R.T. or S.T.O.P. the
project based on the equation being
true or false.
Each of the five S.T.A.R.T. criteria
can score 1 or 0. To make the
equation true, all the criteria need
to be fulfilled and scored as 1
(1x1x1x1x1=1). In this case, the
client is ready to move toward the
project. However, if one of the
criteria is missing, the score will be
0 (1x0x1x1x1= 0), the equation will
not be true and it may be time for
the coach to support the client in
working toward a S.T.O.P. (Solutions
Toward Outcome of Project).
Begin by inviting the client to choose
the project they want to assess their
readiness for. Fill in the top column
of the worksheet (on page 11) with
the name of the intended project.
Then, ask the client the questions
outlined on the worksheet. Except
for the first questions (which should
be for “Specify” or “Target”), the
criteria don’t need to be addressed
in a particular order. Feel free

to adjust the questions you ask
depending on what the client is
bringing in the moment.
For each response, invite the client
to assess whether it is resonant
(moves them toward their intended
project) or dissonant (moves them
away from their intended project).
Resonant responses lead to a
score of 1 in the “score” column;
dissonant responses yield a 0 score.
After the criteria have been scored,
multiply the numbers and interpret
the results (again, remember that
1=S.T.A.R.T. and 0=S.T.O.P.). Based
on the result, ask the client what
they notice and offer an opportunity
to explore next steps.
As one of many ways to support
a client in creating awareness, the
S.T.A.R.T. formula is a valuable visual
tool coaches can use to help clients
make their intangible thoughts
and feelings more accessible and
empower them to move toward
what they know and feel will get
them started.
© 2016 Silvia Viola, PCC

“ T H E S .T. A . R .T. F O R M U L A I S A VA L U A B L E V I S U A L T O O L
COACHES CAN USE TO HELP CLIENTS MAKE THEIR
I N TAN G I B L E T H O U G H T S AN D F E E L I N G S M O R E A C C E S S I B L E
A N D E M P O W E R T H E M T O M O V E T O WA R D W H AT T H E Y K N O W

12

Coaching World

AN D F E E L W I L L G E T T H E M S TAR T E D. ”