Module 4 — Lesson 4

In this lesson you’ll learn:

• How to send the report to a client

• How to conduct a client meeting

• How to navigate sensitive topics

• How to avoid being a “therapist”

Conducting a client meeting

You can send the COREculture report directly to your client, and they can get a lot of value out of it by reading it through on their own.

But we find the best insights often come when a third party leads the conversation. They can guide the family through the report, and ask thoughtful questions along the way.

The COREculture report is a great report to review in your next client meeting. Here are some tips to help you be successful:

Before you begin, understand your role in this meeting: You are sharing feedback with the family about their COREculture. You are not acting as their counselor. Do not feel pressure to provide advice, or fix any issues that may arise. You are merely helping them to get curious about their family’s culture, and providing them with tools or resources to dig deeper if they desire.

As you begin the meeting, remind the family about why this survey is helpful: 

• Every family (group/organization) has a culture. This report measures 4 aspects of culture: communication, cohesion, identity, and impact. 

• We are both affected by, and directly affect our family culture. 

• This report serves not as a report card grade, but as a temperature gauge for your family culture. 

• Let’s look at areas of strength and areas in need of attention. 

Refer to the cover page, with the four graphs: 

• Explain scores range from a low of 5 to a high of 25. 

• Point out similarities they might have:

  • “You all give high scores for cohesion.  How does your family create this feeling of belonging and connection?”

  • “You all rated identity as your highest pillar.  Why do you think that is?”

• Point out discrepancies by asking questions, rather than giving answers.   

  • “You each have quite different scores for impact. What contributed to you rating it high? Why might you have rated it lower?”

  • Provide "noticing” remarks: “By your scores, I notice your family is not quite sure of its current impact. This exercise will help you think about that aspect of your family culture.”

• Reassure them that it’s normal to have high and lower scores. This is not necessarily a reflection of the state of their marriage, or their capability as parents. (Some people worry when their kids have low 'identity' or 'communication’ scores that they’re bad parents. There are a lot of factors that can influence these scores. It’s important to just be curious and open.)

Throughout the conversation:

• Seek and receive comments from each family member in a gentle and encouraging manner. 

• Direct comments in positive ways, toward a positive/growth mindset. 

• Manage emotions or awkward moments by asking open-ended questions.

• Focus on areas of strength and ways to work on culture in general. 

Refer to the individual COREculture pages for definitions and questions to ask as the family thinks about improvement. This is a tool the family can use after they leave your office to continue the conversation. 

• Suggest discussing the questions together as a family. 

• Possibly share the COREculture Activity and/or the COREculture SWOT Worksheet (templates below) as a next-step activity. 

• Note the helpfulness of looking at culture measures year over year. 

Templates and Worksheets

Use the templates below to help you share the results of your clients’ COREculture reports: