Inspired Consulting Group’s
STATS Framework
Bringing Structure, Candor, and Intention to Supervision
Supervision and coaching are among the most powerful tools we have as leaders. When done well, they create space for growth, accountability, reflection, and meaningful support, strengthening not only the individual, but the entire organization.
Yet too often, these coaching and supervision sessions between leaders and direct reports can become inconsistent, rushed, or reactive. Meetings drift into routine status updates, surface-level check-ins, or unstructured conversations or mundane chit-chat. Important feedback goes unspoken. Opportunities for development are missed. Candor gets replaced with comfort.
I’ve been there myself.
Without a clear structure, even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall into patterns that prioritize efficiency over growth.
That’s where STATS comes in.
The STATS Framework provides a simple, repeatable structure that brings clarity, courage, and confidence back into one-to-one sessions. It helps leaders move beyond maintenance conversations and into meaningful development, strengthening trust, accountability, and performance along the way.
I built the STATS framework to re-energize my one-on-one sessions and to provide predictability and a process for shared ownership for those I’m working with. STATS is a simple but effective framework designed to bring structure, consistency, and balance to supervision and coaching sessions. Designed to be a reciprocal back-and-forth conversation, each letter in the STATS acronym represents a conversation anchor point:
S
Sparks
What energized or inspired us this week?
Identify moments of motivation, creativity, or success and share what, or who, helped in making you feel more connected or brought you joy.
T
Thanks
Who or what do we want to acknowledge or appreciate?
Highlight strengths, recognize efforts, and validate any contributions that made a difference and warrant gratitude.
A
Areas for Growth
What could be improved – individually, as a team or within our processes?
Clearly and compassionately share opportunities for development, clarify expectations, and establish goals.
T
Things Ahead
What is coming up that we should plan for or prioritize?
Discuss deadlines, projects, or any potential future stressors. What needs attention? What barriers might be in the way? Where should we direct our energies and resources?
S
Support
What support is needed – from one another or from others?
Explore what would help in feeling more connected, appreciated, or successful. What clarity, flexibility, encouragement, or tools are needed at this time?
Why STATS Matters
Consistency Creates Trust
When team members 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 identify what topics can be held for planned 1:1 meetings versus what needs a more urgent, in the moment response from leadership. Remember, this is a conversation, not an interview. Leaders should be modeling vulnerability and transparency in this process as well.
Structure Drives Depth
By using STATS, teams can avoid getting stuck in the routine of mere “status updates” or superficial check-in’s. 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 are times when high level client or status updates are important and necessary in our practice, especially when working through ethical challenges, working on getting “unstuck” with those receiving our services, or brainstorming resources that may by needed to best support those in our care. With practice, the STATS framework will become 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 our work. 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 unapologetically makes room for real feedback, the kind that builds trust instead of eroding it. It reflects what Kim Scott calls Radical Candor: caring personally while challenging directly. Leadership requires both courage and compassion. Too often, feedback is avoided in the name of kindness or delivered bluntly without relationship. STATS refuses that false choice. The “Areas for Growth” and “Support Needed” sections create intentional space for honest dialogue between supervisor and staff. Not top-down critiques. Not vague venting. Not performative positivity. Instead, the STATS framework offers space for structured conversations rooted in mutual accountability and shared ownership of growth. When feedback becomes a normal part of every one-on-one conversation, something powerful happens. Performance discussions lose their sting. Annual reviews stop feeling like judgment days. There are no surprises, because transparent feedback has been woven into the conversation all along.
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. Team members 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 empowerment, reflection, and partnership.
Applying the STATS Approach
In professions where burnout is real and demands are relentless, intentional structures like STATS anchor us in what matters most: relationships, growth, and support. Structure does not limit connection. Rather, it protects it.
And here’s the beautiful part: STATS isn’t just for the workplace.
This framework translates powerfully into families, partnerships, parenting relationships, and collaborative peer dynamics. Anywhere trust, communication, and shared responsibility matter, the STATS framework is a powerful and effective communication tool.
My husband, Derek, and I complete a “relationship STATS” every Sunday evening. What started as an experiment has become one of the most grounding rituals in our week. It creates intentional space to celebrate wins, name stressors, offer appreciation, identify areas for growth, and ask directly for support. Instead of assuming, we clarify. Instead of bottling things up, we speak them out loud. Instead of keeping score, we share ownership.
It has transformed our communication and strengthened our partnership.
Because at its core, STATS isn’t about supervision.
It’s about creating brave space for honesty. It’s about normalizing encouragement and accountability in the same breath. It’s about choosing intention over avoidance.
Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, nurturing a partnership, or building community, the STATS framework gives you a rhythm for staying connected.
And connection changes everything.
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Successful Partnerships
Inspired Consulting Group has been fortunate to work with many wonderful organizations in our communities. Here’s what they had to say about our engagement.
“I went to Chris McLaughlin at Inspired Consulting Group for professional coaching because I was experiencing some relationship challenges in a leadership team I was a part of. Chris quickly got a firm grasp of the situation as well as my profile as a leader, and he helped illuminate for me some of my behaviors that were not productive as a member of this leadership team. Over the course of several sessions, he gave me helpful guidance on what I could do to shift the dynamic as well as how to be less reactive to the personalities that I was struggling with. I learned a lot about myself through this process that I am able to now apply to multiple areas in my life.”
Alex Hildebrand, Principal
Sunburst Strategies, LLC
“I had the privilege of working with Amanda as my career coach and I can confidently say that the experience has been transformative. From the beginning, Amanda took the time to understand my unique skills, values and professional goals, and provided tailored guidance that helped me gain clarity and direction in my career. Amanda is someone who truly cares about the people she works with, seeing them as a whole person which helped me to identify areas in my personal life that were holding back my professional development. Amanda offered the perfect balance of constructive feedback, strategic advice, and motivational support. I wouldn’t have achieved my goals without her support.”
Susan S.
Healthcare Administrator
“I had the pleasure of working with Chris McLaughlin for professional coaching services to help elevate my career in healthcare. Chris’ patience, guidance, and thoughtful insights helped me unlock my hidden potential and was key to my professional development. Chris is able to blend theoretical/textbook knowledge with real world application on a level that allowed me to better grasp and understand myself as a person. His approach was personal and structured to meet my personal needs and goals. As we worked through real world scenarios, he listened with intent and asked thought-provoking questions that allowed me to change my perspectives on the barriers I was facing. Together, we created effective strategies to help me leap over those barriers with confidence and purpose. Thanks to Chris, I have strengthened my skills not just as a leader, but also as a person. With his support, I was able take a professional goal from my vision board and make it a reality! My work with Chris has been instrumental for me both professionally and personally. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to enhance their leadership abilities and achieve their professional goals. Chris truly is a wonderful coach and advocate.”
Beth Mistretta, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC
Nurse Administrator & Leader
“As a leadership group at a human services agency, Chris was exactly what we needed to rejuvenate our team. He understands people on an entirely different level and brings a unique perspective to leadership that hits home in a way no other consultants can. His quest for excellence lies within the success of those he works with, as he seems to truly care about our organization and our staff. He leads with a clever combination of heart and logic, resulting in tangible, obtainable next steps that our agency is excited to take. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside him!”
Jennifer Chisholm
Senior Agency Business Partner
“Chris supported our team with transformation of culture during a challenging time of leadership and staff transitions. We are so grateful for the way he was able to form relationships, teach concrete skills, and help staff reconnect to themselves, their work, and their larger purpose.”
Kate McElligott
President and CEO
Pine Tree Society
“Working with Chris was transformative for our non-profit educational organization. He helped us develop clear, practical protocols and delivered staff trainings that were humane, fun, and genuinely creative—making complex mental health concepts accessible and engaging. Our team feels more confident, supported, and equipped to serve our students and advance our mission as a result.”
Philip Francis, PhD
Founder & Director
Seguinland Institute