OARS Skills

Question 1

OARS

Answer 1

Defined set of communication skills that help us facilitate conversations about change.
O = curious, open-ended questions
A = affirmations
R = listening statements (ie. reflections)
S = summaries

Question 2

Open-ended Questions

Answer 2

Invites a person to think before responding.
General rule = 3 ears, 1 mouth.
-for every one open-ended question you ask, you try to add three reflections.
Questions limit client’s self-exploration.
-affirmations/reflections invite self-exploration
Examples include…
-why would you want to make this change?
-how might you go about it in order to succeed?
-what are the three best reasons for you to do it?
-how important is it for you to make this change, and why?

Question 3

Affirmations

Answer 3

Recognize people’s values.
Aligns with the practice of empathy.
Must be genuine and true
Does not need to come from you!

Question 4

Active Reflective Listening

Answer 4

If listening and doing something else, you’re not listening.
Be mindful of non-verbal communication.
Goal is to see things from the other person’s perspective.

Question 5

Summaries

Answer 5

Reflections are individual flowers, summaries are bouquets.
1) Introduce the summary
2) capture the core
-focus on the person, not just their role as an exerciser or athlete.
-opportunity to highlight strengths, effort, etc.
3) Choose your words with care
4) check back with the person
-what have I missed?
Finish off the interview with a summary of what you heard/talked about.