Scaling questions

Scaling questions are useful in helping clients to assess their own situations, track their own progress, or evaluate how others might rate them on a scale of 0 to 10. Scaling questions are relatively easy to use and extremely versatile.
Here are some guidelines for scaling questions.
After you introduce them to the scale ( 0 being the worst and 10 being the best in what they desire), ask them where they see themselves currently. Often you can ask the client to describe what 0 and 10 means to them. Ask them what they are already doing that allows them to be there (What are you doing right already? What has worked for you in achieving this? Who has helped?) This allows them to see what they can build on. Ask what they would do differently to get to the next number. Visualise success by asking the client to describe the next level. Ask if the client has in the past ever been in a higher position on the scale. Ask what helped them get there. Ask how they could replicate that in a sustained manner. Scaling questions could also be asked to compare self perception with social perception (How would your boss rate your risk taking on the same scale?)
Scaling questions can be used at the beginning and end of any session. They can be used at the beginning and end of a coaching relationship.