The OARS technique is a powerful tool used in motivational interviewing, particularly in life coaching and personal development. OARS stands for Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summarizing. This technique encourages deeper conversations, fosters understanding, and helps individuals explore their thoughts and feelings. Let’s dive into three practical examples to illustrate how you can use the OARS technique effectively.
This scenario takes place in a life coaching session where a client feels uncertain about their career goals.
The coach starts by asking an open-ended question to encourage the client to explore their feelings about their career path.
The coach: “What are some of the things you enjoy most about your current job?”
The client: “I like the people I work with, but I don’t feel challenged.”
The coach, using affirmation: “It’s great that you have a supportive team; that’s really important for job satisfaction.”
Next, the coach employs reflective listening: “So, it sounds like while you appreciate your team, you’re seeking more challenges in your work.”
Finally, the coach summarizes: “To sum up, you value your colleagues, but you feel that your role isn’t pushing you to grow. Let’s explore how you can find those challenges.”
Using this approach, the coach helps the client articulate their feelings and sets the stage for further exploration of potential career paths.
In this example, a client is struggling with communication issues in their personal relationships. The coach aims to help the client express their feelings.
The coach starts with an open-ended question: “Can you tell me about a recent interaction that made you feel frustrated?”
The client responds: “I felt really upset when my friend didn’t listen to my concerns during our last conversation.”
The coach affirms: “It sounds like you were looking for support and understanding from your friend, which is completely valid.”
Then, the coach reflects: “You seem to be feeling overlooked when your concerns aren’t acknowledged.”
To conclude, the coach summarizes: “So, to clarify, you want to feel heard and valued in your friendships, and that’s an important part of your relationships. Let’s think about how you might communicate that to your friend.”
This example demonstrates how the OARS technique can help clients express their feelings and improve their communication in personal relationships.
In this coaching session, the client is hesitant about a potential job change. The coach uses the OARS technique to guide the client through their fears.
The coach opens with an open-ended question: “What are your thoughts about the job change?”
The client shares: “I’m really scared about leaving my current position; I don’t know if I’ll fit in at the new place.”
The coach acknowledges the client’s feelings: “It’s understandable to feel scared when facing a big change; many people experience that.”
Next, the coach reflects: “So, you’re feeling a mix of excitement and fear about fitting in with new colleagues.”
The coach wraps up with a summary: “To summarize, you have a desire for growth, but the fear of the unknown is holding you back. Let’s brainstorm some ways to ease that transition.”
This example highlights how the OARS technique can help clients confront their fears and navigate through significant changes in their lives, fostering a sense of empowerment.
By using the OARS technique in these varied contexts, you can facilitate deeper conversations that lead to meaningful insights and growth. Remember, the key is to listen actively and create a safe space for exploration.