A practical management discipline that changes everyday leadership behaviour

The STAR^® model is an Operational Coaching^® approach designed specifically for managers and leaders. It embeds coaching behaviours into everyday conversations and develops capability through structured practice and evidence.

Managers increased time spent coaching by 70% compared with a control group
Time spent ‘managing’ and ‘doing’ reduced, supporting a shift towards leadership behaviours
Delivered through a formal, certified and accredited scheme supported by APMG^®

Backed by UK government-sponsored research across 62 organisations in 14 sectors.

Why most management development does not change behaviour?

Managers are facing increasing pressure from workload, retention challenges, hybrid working, wellbeing concerns, and the need to handle more complex conversations. Many management development programmes introduce concepts but fail to change what managers actually do in everyday work.

Challenges:

Coaching rarely reaches most managers
Many models were designed for executive coaching, not line management
Organisations need approaches that work inside normal work, not alongside it

What STAR^® is about?

Operational Coaching^® is a management discipline that embeds a coaching mindset into everyday work. STAR^® Manager focuses on how managers think and behave in real moments, rather than on running formal coaching sessions.

The STAR^® Manager model

S-top: pause automatic reactions
T-hink: choose the most effective leadership response
A-sk: use enquiry, listening, and purposeful questions
R-esult: agree actions and follow through

Operational Coaching^® in the flow of work

The research and evidence

Built on scientific research, not opinion

STAR^® Manager is supported by UK government-sponsored research conducted across 62 organisations in 14 sectors. The research compares managers using STAR^® Manager with a control group and measures behavioural change over time.

70 percent increase in time spent coaching
Reduction in time spent managing and doing
Measurable improvement across core management capabilities

What managers do differently

Practical behavioural change, not theory

Managers completing STAR^® Manager develop practical behaviours they use immediately in their roles.

Managers learn how to:

Ask better questions and listen more effectively
Hold more productive one-to-one conversations
Address issues earlier and reduce avoidance
Build capability and accountability within their teams

Available STAR^® Programmes

STAR^® Coach Programme Curriculum

Understanding coaching as a discipline and how it compares with other support and development approaches
Exploring Operational Coaching® and the principles that distinguish it from traditional coaching models
Identifying the individuals and situations where Operational Coaching® has the greatest impact
Creating the right conditions for behavioural change within everyday operational work
Recognising moments in the workplace that are well suited to an Operational Coaching® approach
Developing the ability to ask effective, thought-provoking questions that encourage ownership and insight
Practising active listening and understanding its role in high-quality coaching conversations
Building commitment, accountability, and effective follow-up after Operational Coaching® interactions
Applying the Operational Coaching® Model in real time, within the pressures of day-to-day work
Examining the four leadership domains and how they influence managerial behaviour
Reflecting on how personal behaviours align with the different roles of leader, manager, doer, and coach
Understanding why questioning is central to effective coaching and decision-making
Exploring the role of memory in reinforcing learning and supporting lasting behavioural change through Operational Coaching®

Certified STAR^® Manager Programme Curriculum

Examining coaching as a management capability and its relationship to other support and development approaches
Understanding Operational Coaching® and how it differs from more traditional coaching methods
Identifying where and with whom Operational Coaching® techniques deliver the greatest value
Creating conditions for behavioural change within everyday operational environments
Recognising appropriate moments to apply Operational Coaching® in day-to-day management
Building strong active listening habits and understanding their impact on performance conversations
Securing commitment, accountability, and follow-through after Operational Coaching® discussions
Applying the Operational Coaching® Model in real time, even under operational pressure
Exploring the four domains of leadership and their relevance to management effectiveness
Reflecting on personal behaviours in relation to the roles of leader, manager, doer, and coach
Understanding the strategic value of questioning in decision-making and development
Exploring how memory supports learning and reinforces behavioural change in Operational Coaching®
Empowering direct reports and enabling them to take greater ownership and responsibility
Understanding how beliefs and values influence behaviour and performance at work
Delivering feedback in a way that supports learning, motivation, and improvement
Approaching challenging conversations with greater confidence and structure
Using a coaching approach to set clear, meaningful goals
Structuring developmental conversations using coaching principles
Managing one-to-one meetings to maintain momentum, accountability, and positive progress over time

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