Focus Finder Template
Four simple questions to find out where you want to go, what is holding you back and what you can build on. Use the Focus Finder on your own, in a coaching session or with your whole team.
Free to start · Swiss-made · GDPR compliant
How to use the Focus Finder template
The Collaboard template shows four numbered questions around a target in the center. A deck of notes in six colors sits on the left, one color per person, so several people can work on the same board and still see whose notes are whose.
Choose a topic
Decide what you want to find focus for: your career, a project or a team's direction.
Start with the goal
Answer question 1: where would you like to go? Write one thought per note.
Name what stops you
Answer question 2 honestly. Inner obstacles count as much as external ones.
Collect your skills
Answer question 3: which strengths and experience can you build on?
Find your inspiration
Answer question 4: what or who gives you energy?
Define your focus
Look at all four areas and write the one focus that emerges in the center of the target.
What is the Focus Finder?
The Focus Finder is a reflection template that helps individuals and teams find their focus. Four questions look at where you want to go, what stops you, which skills you bring and what inspires you. The focus that emerges from the answers goes into the center.
The four questions of the template
The examples follow one illustrative scenario: an employee thinking about the next career step.
- Where would you like to go? Your goal or direction. Example: lead a team within two years.
- What's stopping you? Obstacles, inner or external. Example: little experience with giving feedback.
- What are your skills? Strengths and experience to build on. Example: good at structuring complex projects.
- What or who inspires you? People, ideas or experiences that give you energy. Example: a former manager who coached instead of instructing.
To turn your focus into a concrete plan, continue with the WOOP method.
When to use this template
- Career planning Find direction before the next career step.
- Coaching sessions Structure a first conversation with a coachee.
- Team orientation Find a shared focus for a new team or a new year.
- Personal reflection Take stock of where you stand and what you want.
Tips for a good session
- Be honest about obstacles The second question is the hardest, and often the most useful.
- Don't underestimate your skills Ask a colleague to add skills you take for granted.
- Keep the center small One clear focus beats a list of five.
- Use one color per person In a team, the six colors show who sees things how.
Why Collaboard
A Swiss-made online whiteboard for teams that care where their data lives.
Your data stays in Europe
Choose hosting in Switzerland, Germany or the EU, fully GDPR compliant. Or run Collaboard on your own servers.
Invite anyone with a link
Guests join your board for free, right in the browser. Nothing to install, no extra licenses for participants.
Made in Switzerland, with real support
Collaboard is developed in Switzerland. When you need help, you talk to people who know the product.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Focus Finder template free?
Yes, the Focus Finder template is free to use with a Collaboard account. The free plan includes up to 3 boards and five people per session.
What is the Focus Finder used for?
The Focus Finder helps you clarify a goal and decide where to put your energy. Typical uses are personal goal setting, coaching, development talks and team workshops.
Can several people work on the Focus Finder at the same time?
Yes, several people can work on the Focus Finder at the same time in Collaboard. The deck of cards has six colors, and you can copy more sticky notes for larger groups.
Can I change the questions in the Focus Finder?
Yes, every element of the Focus Finder template can be edited, so you can adapt the four questions to your topic.
Is the Focus Finder suitable for coaching?
Yes, the Focus Finder works well in coaching sessions. Coach and coachee go through the four questions together on one board, in person or online.
Start your next whiteboard now
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