This is a self-assessment to identify your most active Meta Programs. Answer honestly based on your default style.
Tap + to explore each Meta Program: what it filters for, why it matters in coaching, and language cues to listen for.
What it is: Where attention goes when things don’t work — solutions (outcome) or causes/fault (blame).
Why this matters for coaching: It decides whether the session moves into action or stays in story.
Language cues: “What do we want?”, “Next step?” vs “Whose fault?”, “Why did this happen?”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: How someone represents experience internally — pictures, sounds/words, or sensations.
Why this matters for coaching: Matching modality builds fast rapport and clarity.
Language cues: “I see…”, “It’s clear…” | “I hear…”, “It sounds…” | “I feel…”, “It’s heavy…”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Where attention rests on the timeline.
Why this matters for coaching: Pace their orientation first, then lead them where needed.
Language cues: “Back then…” | “Right now…” | “Going forward…”, “Next…”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Preference for step-by-step structure (procedure) or options (choice).
Why this matters for coaching: Action plans must fit the client’s planning style.
Language cues: “Step-by-step…”, “Process…” vs “Options…”, “I could…”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Referencing decisions internally (self) or via feedback/others (other).
Why this matters for coaching: Shapes accountability and motivation hooks.
Language cues: “I just know…”, “For me…” vs “They said…”, “Feedback was…”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Focus on similarities (match) or differences/gaps (mismatch).
Why this matters for coaching: Helps reframe “negativity” into standards or appreciation.
Language cues: “Yes, exactly…” vs “But…”, “What’s missing…?”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Big-picture meaning (big) vs details/steps (small).
Why this matters for coaching: Guides zoom-out vs zoom-in questioning.
Language cues: “Overall…”, “Ultimately…” vs “Specifically…”, “Exactly how…?”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Evaluating success by inner certainty (internal) or benchmarks/validation (external).
Why this matters for coaching: Builds self-trust or reality testing depending on the pattern.
Language cues: “I know when it’s right…” vs “Is this correct?”, “What do experts say?”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
What it is: Experiencing events from inside (associated) or observing from distance (disassociated).
Why this matters for coaching: Regulates emotion and perspective during recall and planning.
Language cues: “I’m right there…” vs “I can see myself…”
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.
Tap “+” to explore each Meta Program: what it filters for, why it matters for coaching, and language cues you can listen for.
What it is: Where attention goes when things don’t work — toward solutions (outcome) or causes/responsibility (blame).
Enables: Faster problem-solving, emotional regulation, accountability, learning loops.
Why this matters for coaching: It changes the entire direction of a session — from stuck stories to actionable outcomes (or from superficial action to deeper learning).
Language cues (listen for):
Use in session: Calibrate language first, then pace → lead. Ask 1–2 clean questions; don’t label the client—use it to create choice.
Micro-intervention: Invite flexibility: “If you tried the opposite filter for one week, what would change?”
Watch-outs: Avoid single-cue conclusions; confirm with multiple examples across contexts.