From Assessment to Action: Turning S2i Insights into Client Breakthroughs

A great coaching session can feel electric.

The client has an “aha” moment, their perspective shifts, and suddenly the path forward looks clear. But as most coaches know, those moments fade quickly if they aren’t tied to a structured plan. Insight without action is like striking a match—it sparks, but doesn’t sustain.

That’s why the Stability of Self Inventory (S2i)TM is such a game-changer. More than a snapshot of a client’s inner world, it provides a launchpad for sustainable growth, built around actionable steps and reflective prompts. It’s not just about awareness—it’s about transformation.

Why S2i Insights Are Different

Most assessments leave clients with static labels—“You’re an X type”—that may feel insightful in the moment but don’t translate into change.

The S2i is different. It measures the seven dimensions of identity stability—Core Values, Meaning & Purpose, Awareness, Openness to Learn, Connection, Agency, and Grit. These dimensions reveal how leaders operate under stress, where they’re grounded, and where they wobble.

More importantly, the S2i report includes coaching moments—tailored reflection questions, strategies, and practices that bridge the gap between assessment and action. For coaches, this means you can move seamlessly from discussion to application, giving clients both clarity and direction.

Step 1: Building Self-Awareness Through Reflection

Self-awareness is the foundation of change. The S2i interpretive report guides clients toward deeper reflection by asking targeted questions tied to their scores.

For example, a client with low Core Values stability might encounter a coaching moment like:

“Think about a recent decision that didn’t sit well with you. How might your values have influenced—or conflicted with—that choice?”

This type of reflection helps clients recognize not just what they scored, but why it matters. It turns raw data into a mirror that reveals blind spots and opportunities for growth.

Step 2: Identifying Growth Opportunities

Once clients gain awareness, the next step is identifying leverage points—the smallest shifts that create the biggest impact.

A leader with high Grit but low Meaning & Purpose may push through challenges tirelessly, but without clarity of “why,” they risk burnout. A coaching moment here might ask:

“How often do your goals feel connected to a larger purpose? What might change if you realigned them with your values?”

For a client with strong Awareness but low Agency, the growth focus might be on moving from observation to action:

“When you notice areas where you hesitate, what’s one small step you could take to influence the situation?”

These prompts transform vague goals into targeted development pathways.

Step 3: Clarifying Action Steps

What makes the S2i especially powerful is its ability to move clients from insight to concrete action. Each coaching moment is paired with practical strategies—daily habits, leadership practices, or mindset shifts—that can be integrated immediately.

For example:

• Low Connection: A client may be encouraged to schedule weekly “relational check-ins” with colleagues focused on listening, not tasks.

• Low Openness to Learn: The action step might be to seek feedback from one new source each month and practice reframing criticism as opportunity.

• Low Agency: The coaching moment could lead to setting a “one decision a day” rule to build confidence in taking ownership.

By anchoring development in everyday actions, clients see tangible progress rather than abstract aspirations.

Step 4: Practicing in Real Time

Coaches can also use S2i insights to design practice environments that mimic real-world stressors. A client with low adaptability (linked to Awareness and Openness to Learn) might role-play responding to surprise challenges. A client with low Agency could practice making rapid decisions under time constraints.

These simulated experiences allow clients to rehearse new skills before applying them on the job—accelerating both confidence and competence.

Step 5: Tracking Progress with Data

Because the S2i can be re-administered, coaches and clients have an objective way to measure growth over time. Even modest increases in dimensions like Agency or Openness to Learn validate the coaching process and reinforce motivation.

It’s no longer just “I feel different”—it’s “I can see the difference in my scores, and my team can feel the change in my leadership.”

Case Example: From Stalled to Strategic

Consider a senior leader I worked with who entered coaching feeling reactive and overwhelmed. Their S2i showed strong Grit but weak Awareness and Connection. They were pushing hard but ignoring feedback and straining relationships. They had a “lone wolf” mentality in a “pack” culture.

Through coaching moments, they began journaling daily triggers, practicing relational listening, and creating intentional recovery routines. Six months later, a reassessment revealed measurable improvements in both Awareness and Connection. More importantly, their team reported a noticeable shift: their leader wasn’t just working hard—they were leading with clarity and presence, emphasizing connection, which built a stronger, more cohesive team.

Why This Approach Works

The genius of the S2i lies in its structure:

• It builds self-awareness through reflective questions.

• It promotes growth by highlighting specific leverage points.

• It clarifies action steps with practical, immediately applicable strategies.

For coaches, it turns “aha” moments into long-term transformation. For clients, it turns abstract self-knowledge into actionable leadership growth.

The Bottom Line

The S2i isn’t just a mirror—it’s a map.

When clients use its insights to anchor their development, they don’t just understand themselves better—they change how they show up in the world. And that’s where the real breakthroughs happen.

If you’re ready to help your clients move from assessment to action, explore the Stability of Self Inventory at www.lacunaleadership.com. With the right insights, reflection, and coaching, those sparks of awareness can turn into lasting transformation.