TARP – Thank, Affirm, Reiterate Purpose

TARP is a simple acronym that stands for Thank, Affirm, and Reiterate Purpose.

Once the client leaves and it’s just you two again, those stressful feelings that we tried to diffuse before the appointment may return as your co-worker anxiously awaits your feedback. These three little steps can be done very quickly and get your conversation off to a positive start.

Step 1: Thank – Much like thanking the participant, it’s very important to thank your co-worker for sharing his or her time and office space as well.
Step 2: Affirm – Start building your co-worker’s confidence right from the start by pointing out the positive elements you observed during the appointment.
Step 3: Reiterate Purpose – Remind your co-worker that your role is only to support and encourage, not point the finger or criticize.

PCS Champion: Thank you again for letting me sit in on that appointment. It really is a privilege for me to observe, learn and offer some encouragement with our PCS movement. I think you’re doing a wonderful job, and I can see where you’re putting some of those skills that we worked on at staff meetings into practice. Now I do have some comments and feedback jotted down here to share at some point, but more than that I’d love to get your thoughts and perspective on PCS and that appointment, and anything I can do to support you and your skills.

WIC Staff: Alright, we can do that.

PCS Champion: How about we start by you telling me what you thought went well in that last appointment.