How to Stop Convincing Your Clients to Change
Gather 5 Essential Components of Information
That Turbocharge Change
High-end coaches achieve their success by developing their own interpretations of problems and specific strategies to solve these problems—complete with templates and checklists! This information has great value for many people. However, as we know, people are unique. The more you can apply your expertise and utilize the uniqueness of each client, the more your success will soar. If you do not not sufficiently engage your clients’ perceptions, they may feel judged or disappointed, which can lead to having them question your abilities or drop out.
One clue that you are not taking your clients’ uniqueness into account is if you find yourself “arguing” or trying to convince your clients what their real problems are.
For example, one of my clients had dropped out of a program after being told she was “sabotaging her success.” She felt inadequate and stuck. Through a careful questioning process, I discovered that she was attempting to satisfy two important values and, of course, remained in conflict. She had been totally unaware of her internal dilemma, and as I helped highlight and resolve the internal dilemma, she took action.
So how do we as coaches get a full picture of our clients’ experience, understanding and meaning in regards to their problems? We already know it’s important to discover particulars about the problem and what our clients want. But that’s not enough.
There are actually five basic components that go into effective problem solving and the mental-emotional organizing of data. The S.C.O.R.E. Model, developed by NLP visionary Robert Dilts, provides a way for coaches to gather and organize information in order to make good decisions and create effective changes.
The letters stand for Symptoms, Causes, Outcomes, Resources and Effects. These elements represent the minimum amount of information that needs to be addressed by any process of change or healing.
- Symptoms are typically the most noticeable and conscious aspects of a client’s problem.
- Causes are the underlying elements responsible for creating and maintaining the symptoms.
- Outcomes are the particular goals or desired states that would take the place of the symptoms.
- Resources are the underlying elements responsible for removing the causes of the symptoms and for manifesting and maintaining the desired outcomes.
- Effects are the longer-term results of achieving a particular outcome.
Once you and your clients know these five components, the “right” information can be gathered so that action can be quickly taken. There are specific questions connected to each component allowing you to understand your client’s perspective so that you can implement the right interventions. I will describe these questions in future articles.
Begin by taking this action step on the S.C.O.R.E. model today:
Choose a client who is struggling. Make one card for each component of the S.C.O.R.E. model. Then ask yourself two important questions:
- “Do I have information that applies to each component?” and
- “Do we have a shared understanding of this information?”
If not, ask the client to elaborate further.
P.S. Do you want to reprint this article? Please do. Just be sure that it remains intact and includes the following bio.
About Terry: Terry Hickey, M.S., is a Certified NLP Professional Coach, Business Trainer and Consultant, a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the co-owner of NLP Advantage Group. Originator of the Belief Breakthrough Method™, Terry specializes in teaching coaches and entrepreneurs how to rapidly resolve limiting beliefs about wealth and success. His tips and strategies can help you launch yourself into the future you want… NOW.http://terryhickey.com/
