S.T.A.R.T. Formula for Awareness - International Coaching Federation
COVID-19 Resources for ICF Coaches

S.T.A.R.T. Formula for Awareness

Posted by Silvia Viola, PCC | October 22, 2016 | Comments (3)

Core Competency #8: Creating Awareness

Ability to integrate and accurately evaluate multiple sources of information and to make interpretations that help the client to gain awareness and thereby achieve agreed-upon results.


In our coaching practice, we encounter clients with one or more important projects that they want to start, but they find themselves “stopping” instead of “starting.” What if it were possible to support them by providing an assessment of their awareness on whether they are ready to start their projects—and, if not, what is it they need to start working on in order to get there?

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.

SMART Worksheet

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, everyone-can-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

Silvia Viola, PCC

Silvia Viola, PCC is an Executive Coach, coach trainer and lawyer. Her two-plus decades of experience, training and coaching around the world have inspired her to empower executives and businesspeople from diverse cultures to succeed. She enjoys simplicity in complexity and values contribution, integrity and freedom.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.

Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.

Comments (3)

  1. J Sudhaharan says:

    Dear Coach Silvia Viola,

    I liked the START model. It is really a practical visual tool.

    Thanks for the inputs.

    Regards,
    Sudhaharan J

  2. Rohit Das says:

    Hi Silvia,

    I think that the START model can prove to a useful framework for newbies to the world of coaching. It can act as a reckoner to both the novice and the seasoned professional alike. Keep up the good work !!

    Cheers,
    Rohit D

  3. Ricardo Melo says:

    Querida Silvia, muchas gracias por tu compartir, muy util!

Leave a Reply

Not a member?

Sign up now to become a member and receive all of our wonderful benefits.

Learn more