ICG’s STATS Approach
Bringing Structure and Candor to Supervision
Supervision is one of the most powerful tools in social work leadership. When done well, it provides a space for growth, accountability, reflection, and support. These benefits support not just for the individual practitioner but for the organization as a whole as well. Yet too often, supervision meetings can become inconsistent, rushed, or reactive, missing the opportunity to truly strengthen relationships and practice. I’ve been guilty of this myself. We can fall into routines and inadvertently get complicit with our supervisions, defaulting to case reviews, client updates, or surface-level check ins or yes, even more social small talk and chit-chat.
That’s where STATS comes in.
I built the STATS framework to re-energize my supervision sessions with my interns and supervisees and to provide predictability and a sense of formality for those I’m supervising. STATS is a simple but effective framework designed to bring structure, consistency, and balance to one-on-one supervision sessions. Each letter in the STATS acronym represents a conversation anchor point:
S
Sparks
What energized or inspired us at work this week?
Identify moments of motivation, creativity, or success and to share what, or who, helped in making you feel more connected to your work or team members.
T
Thanks
What do we want to acknowledge or appreciate?
Highlight strengths, recognize efforts, and validate contributions that made a difference
A
Areas for Growth
What could be improved – individually, as a team or in our operations?
Share opportunities for development and clarify expectations.
T
Things Ahead
What is coming up that we should plan for or prioritize?
Discuss deadlines, projects, or potential stressors. What needs attention, and where should we direct energies and resources?
S
Support
What support is needed – from one another or from others on the team?
Explore what would help in feeling more connected, appreciated, or successful. What tools, clarity, flexibility, or encouragement is needed at this time?
Why STATS Matters
Consistency Creates Trust
When my staff or supervisees know that supervision will follow a reliable structure, it reduces uncertainty and fosters psychological safety. Instead of wondering what will come up, they can prepare, reflect, and engage more openly. This structure also helps students or early career practitioners learn how to prepare for their supervisions and what things can be held for our planned 1:1 meetings and what needs a more urgent, in the moment response from me.
Structure Drives Depth
By using STATS, supervisors and staff avoid getting stuck in the routine of mere “status updates.” Each category ensures the conversation touches on both the human and professional dimensions of practice including celebrating successes, naming challenges, and looking ahead. Yes, there absolutely comes a time when case reviews are important and necessary in social work practice, especially when processing through ethical challenges, working on getting “unstuck” with our clients, or brainstorming resources that may be needed to support those in our care. With practice, the STATS framework becomes more efficient over time and may only require the first few minutes of the planned supervision time together, leaving more time to work through those other important elements of good social work supervision and practice. By starting with STATS, though, a solution-focused and strengths-based tone is established early on in the supervisory sessions and any additional conversations can then follow accordingly in this same spirit.
Radical Candor Strengthens Relationships
STATS builds in space for direct, honest feedback, what Kim Scott calls Radical Candor. I’ve been a huge Kim Scott fan for years, and I’ve come to deeply appreciate the Radical Candor model, one where leaders must care personally while challenging directly. The “Areas for Growth” and “Support Needed” sections of the STATS framework encourage supervisors and staff to be candid with each other, creating opportunities for mutual accountability rather than top-down critiques or open and non-specific “venting” sessions.
Give and Take Builds Leadership
Supervision should never be a one-way street. By including “Thanks” and “Support Needed,” STATS reinforces the idea that both supervisors and staff contribute to the relationship. Leaders model vulnerability, humility, and collaboration when they ask for feedback and commit to providing the support their team needs.
More Than a Checklist
At its core, STATS was developed to be more than just a meeting template for 1:1 supervision with staff members. It’s a culture-building tool. When supervisors consistently use STATS, they set a tone of respect, openness, and growth. Staff feel seen not only for their work but for their ideas, efforts, and aspirations. Leaders stay connected to the realities of frontline practice while modeling the values of social work: empowerment, reflection, and partnership.
Applying the STATS Approach
In a profession where burnout is real and demands are high, intentional structures like STATS help anchor supervision in what matters most: relationships, learning, and support.
And, fun fact, this model works really well in those less professional relationships too!
My husband, Derek, and I do our relationship STATS every Sunday night, and it’s completed opened up our communication, teamwork, and shared ownership of the day-to-day stuff that all couples must navigate together. This structure has given us the opportunity to intentionally connect, share, encourage, and ask for support when needed, and it’s a game-changer, my friends! I promise you!
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