Coaching with NLP For Dummies®

Checking the SCORE

The SCORE model offers a simple framework to shift thinking from problems towards solutions. SCORE addresses five core elements of any situation, and is easy to remember using the following handy acronym:

• Symptoms are the aspects of a problem that are consciously noticeable.
• Causes are the less obvious reasons that are triggering symptoms.
• Outcomes are the new states, behaviours or goals that replace the symptoms.
• Resources are the elements that can solve the issue by dealing with the symptoms (including specific NLP change techniques such as a parts integration exercise) and which can support the outcome.
• Effects are the longer term results of achieving outcomes.

Figure 5-1 shows the SCORE model graphically and defines the elements of the model with helpful questions. I describe each element of the SCORE model in the following section.

Systematically tackling the problem

The original NLP approach to solving problems begins by defining the present state, or problem state, then sets a goal or outcome as the desired state. Coach and client then work on the steps to closing the gap between problem and outcome.

Robert Dilts and Todd Epstein developed the SCORE model in 1987 when they realised that they systematically approached problems in a different way compared to their students. Key differences in the SCORE model as compared to traditional NLP problem-solving include:

• Tackling problems by breaking them down into smaller component parts and getting to the ...