The “outcome frame” is a coaching technique based on neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), a psychological concept where there is no failure, just feedback. Naming, labels, and how you frame the questions affect the answers.
The outcome is a sum result of the answers to questions like those below. In short, this questioning gets to the heart of the matter, “What do I really want?”
Key Questions
Start at the top and move down:
- What would you like?
- What would having that do for you?
- How will you know when you have it?
- Where, when, and with whom do you want it?
- How will this desired outcome affect the important people and other aspects of your life?
- Bonus: What might you lose that you value if you can have this outcome you want?
Key Criteria
The answers should be:
- Positive
- Self-maintained
- Achievable
- Specific
In my experience, using this outcome frame technique during coaching helped me find the most valuable answers for self-reflection. Getting to the real answer and not just the first answer.
Tip: Use a partner to ask the questions and keep your answers narrowed so you can focus on introspection and giving honest answers.
Source: A Reboot coaching workshop while I worked on the leadership team at Automattic.
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