How to Use the POSITIVE Model of Coaching Video

[Presenter] Your people are more likely to reach their goals when they have an objective that excites them and a team that motivates them. But how can you help them to develop both of these things?

The POSITIVE model of coaching is an eight-step framework that you can use to help your team members define clear goals and build a support network. POSITIVE stands for Purpose, Observations, SMART, Insight, Team, Initiate, Value, Encourage. Let's take a look at these eight steps in more detail.

Begin by defining your coachee's purpose. Ask questions like:

Coach (talking to coachee): What would you like to talk about today and what do you hope to gain from this coaching experience?

[Presenter] Next, focus on the situation your coachee is currently in.

Coach (talking to coachee): So what's going well for you at the moment? Also, what's not going so well? What have you already tried or achieved in relation to your goal?

[Presenter] Make sure to listen actively   to your coachee's answers so you can make accurate observations.

Now, encourage your team member to develop a goal and get them to write this down. Remember to help them make it specific and measurable.

From here, you can get an insight into how motivated they currently are. Your coachee should feel energized by their goal. If they aren't, explore why that is and reassess it together. Motivation can come and go, but it doesn't mean your coachee isn't still dedicated to their goal. Get them to reaffirm their success measures by asking them questions like:

Coach (talking to coachee): How excited are you by this goal? Do you feel challenged by it?

Coachee: Actually, I don't know how I'm going to achieve it. It feels like a bit of a big step and I don't know how I'm gonna fit it all in.

Coach: Okay, let's revisit your goal to make sure it's attainable. Perhaps we could start by breaking it down a bit.

[Presenter] Next, help them build a supportive team by getting them to think about who's helped them in the past and who inspires them. Encourage your coachee to reach out to these people and share their goal with them.

Now, it's time for action. Encourage your coachee to get started on their goal by making sure they have the right resources and know how to begin. Work with them to break their goal down into smaller milestones. Identify the steps they need to take to reach their goal with questions like:

Coach (talking to coachee): What preparation work do you need to do and how will you mark your progress?

[Presenter] High-impact quick wins will show them the value of their goal and will make it easier to measure and review progress.

The final step is to provide lots of ongoing encouragement to your team member. Ask them about the progress they've made, whether they encountered any barriers, and how they overcame these challenges. And ask if they need to re-plan or realign their goals so they're more manageable. Use your coaching sessions to give feedback and praise and provide encouragement in between your meetings, too.

To learn more about the POSITIVE model of coaching, read the article   that accompanies this video.