Build Autonomy,
Offer Support

People thrive when they feel trusted to build their own path whilst knowing they are not alone. "Build Autonomy" is about empowering the person you are guiding with tools to take ownership, paired with modern techniques to provide emotional and practical safety. We leverage latest research from behavioral science, neuroscience, and psychology to balance independence with care. Let’s use fresh, evidence-based strategies to help them take charge and feel secure, sustaining momentum in new ways.

Build Autonomy and Ownership. Learn the skills to help others change. Framework for Growth and Building the Skills you need - Leadership - Science Backed Tools at Coulda Woulda for leaders, parents and humans.

Finding Balance

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Finding Balance *

Quick Start Guide: Delegate, Scuffold, Co-Create

Foster ownership while ensuring reassurance with support techniques. Here is how:

Delegate: Use Decision Menus with Perspective-Taking Prompts. This is a new tool to offer structured, meaningful choices after understanding their viewpoint, sparking confidence without overwhelm.
Scaffold: Apply Responsive Support Adjustments to provide tailored, evolving resources based on immediate feedback or observation, ensuring support feels dynamic and predictive of success.
Co-Create: Leverage Co-Constructed Goal Setting with Agency Feedback Loops to build emotional safety by collaboratively setting goals within their choices and providing immediate feedback to reinforce agency.

Start Build Autonomy

Build Autonomy In Action

Here are practical ways to apply this tool across relationships and goals.
Try a micro-challenge today to build trust and ownership with cutting-edge approaches.

For Leaders

Common Problem: “My team lacks initiative, often waiting for direction, and feels unsupported when taking risks.”

Use Delegate with Perspective-Taking Prompts and Decision Menues: Start with, “What’s been most challenging for you lately?” then offer a curated list, “Choose your focus: data analysis, client outreach, or timeline planning.”
Apply Scaffold with Responsive Support Adjustments: Provide an initial resource like a data tool tutorial, then adjust with a peer mentoring session after a quick feedback chat or observing their pace, ensuring evolving, personalized support.
Leverage Co-Create with Goal Setting and Feedback Loops: During a brief check-in, co-set a goal like “draft one outreach email by tomorrow,” then reinforce with, “Your choice made this email sharp. Nice work!” to trigger a dopamine reward loop for agency.
Micro-Challenge: Ask a team member today about their current challenges, create a simple Decision Menu (e.g., pick between two tasks), provide an initial resource, adjust it after quick feedback or observation, and co-set a mini-goal with affirming feedback to boost their sense of agency.

For Parents

Common Problem: “My child resists tasks when they feel forced and struggles without clear guidance, lacking confidence.”

Use Delegate with Decision Menus and Perspective-Taking Prompts: Ask, “What’s been hard about homework lately?” then offer a short list, “Do you want to start with math or reading, or pick the time - now or after a snack?”
Apply Scaffold with Responsive Support Adjustments: Begin with a resource like a math worksheet with examples, then adjust to a timer or extra help after noticing their effort or a quick chat, tailoring support dynamically.
Leverage Co-Create with Goal Setting and Feedback Loops: Co-set a goal like “finish two problems by 6 PM” during a chat, then affirm, “Your choice got these done - awesome decision!” to reinforce agency neurologically.

Micro-Challenge: Ask your child today about a struggle with a task, offer a Decision Menu (e.g., two options), provide an initial resource, adjust it after a quick check or observation, and co-set a small goal with positive feedback to build their confidence in choosing.

Why It Works
The Science Behind

Structured Choice with Empathy Boosts Ownership: Decision Menus, enhanced by Perspective-Taking Prompts from updated Self-Determination Theory research (Ryan & Deci, 2023), reduce decision fatigue and align choices with personal needs, enhancing intrinsic motivation.

Responsive Support Predicts Success: Responsive Support Adjustments, inspired by personalized learning and behavioral science (Computers & Education, 2022), outperform static resources by proactively adapting to user feedback or observed needs, ensuring relevance and competence (Dr. John Hattie on visible learning, 2012).
Agency Reinforces Motivation Neurologically: Agency-Enhancing Feedback Loops, based on neuroscience findings (Nature Human Behaviour, 2022), show that immediate feedback on choices activates dopamine pathways, strengthening the link between autonomy and reward (Dr. Tali Sharot).
Relational Autonomy Deepens Connection: Co-Constructed Goal Setting, from recent social psychology (Motivation and Emotion, 2021), shows autonomy is amplified through supportive relationships, fostering both independence and trust (Dr. Netta Weinstein).
Feelings Drive Engagement: Dan Heath’s Switch (2010) shows that evoking trust and confidence motivates action. Modern tools like feedback loops help the brain predict safety and success over fear (Lisa Feldman Barrett on emotion construction, 2017).