How can you use the FUEL model to power up your coaching conversations?

2 Understand the current state

The second step of the FUEL model is to gain a deeper insight into your coachee's situation, perspective, feelings, and needs by actively listening, empathizing, and reflecting. This understanding of the current state will help identify the gaps, opportunities, and strengths that your coachee can leverage to move forward. To do this effectively, you can use probing questions like: what are the main factors or influences that are affecting your situation? How do you feel about it and what impact does it have on you? What are the strengths or resources that you have or can access to address your situation?

3 Explore the desired state

The third step of the FUEL model involves exploring the desired state of your coachee by facilitating brainstorming, generating options, and evaluating alternatives. This helps to create a vision of success, what actions are needed, and potential obstacles or risks. Exploring the desired state also stimulates creativity, motivation, and commitment. To do this effectively, you can use challenging questions such as: what would be the ideal outcome or result that you want to achieve? What possible ways or strategies can be used to reach this outcome? And what are the pros and cons of each option and how do they align with your values and priorities?

4 Lay out a plan

The fourth and final step of the FUEL model is to lay out a plan by defining goals, actions, measures, and follow-up. This helps you and your coachee turn the vision into a tangible and achievable plan that can be monitored. It also helps ensure accountability, support, and feedback for your coachee. To effectively lay out a plan, you can use SMART questions such as: what are the specific and measurable goals that you want to achieve and by when? What action steps will you take and what resources or support do you need? How will you track your progress and measure your results? When and how will we follow up on your plan and celebrate your achievements? This way, you can ensure that the plan is realistic and achievable.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?