Summary of key points. Your own example may have parallels or may be similar and have other details. Can you relate?
Real Life Examples of the
ROQUE Coaching Methodology in action:
From unemployment to small business:
Meet Harri
I had an opportunity to meet a single mother who asked if she could ‘test’ my theory of how the ROQUE Coaching Methodology could help her as she thought about starting a business to look after horses.
I said Yes! And this is the summary of our exchanges which lasted for half an hour.
Caring for horses
My first question: How would you describe what is going on right now in your world?
My follow-on questions were: What else? Who is helping you?
Current REALITY in ROQUE
What is happening in the context of your topic or issue right now?
In this step we look at the current reality of what is going on regarding the topic you have chosen to explore. You can explore as many of the symptoms – the positives and the negatives. Identify cause and effects scenarios. Are you or the situation where you expected ? Do not worry about attempting to solve anything. It is important to be focussed on the topic or issue or problem alone. This is discovery and fact finding to achieve clarity about what it is exactly that needs to be solved later.
Harri’s answers:
- I am on a Government scheme to help me transition from unemployment benefit
- Part of this is attending a course in business.
- I am learning a lot about the theory of starting a business
- I have a mentor as part of my course
- I just feel I need some additional support with creating a marketing presence
My second question: What are you currently considering as choices open to you?
My follow-on questions were: Thinking about what you love about your talents, what more could you do?
OPTIONS in ROQUE
What Options can you currently identify to deal with the topic or issue?
This step is about looking for Options to see how the Reality of the topic could be different. Just like brain storming, it is best not to edit the range of Options that come to mind. Just capture! In this section we consider, and look for Options that are known and open to you and also those that may never have been considered before. Rarely is one forced into doing things. You have choices, irrespective of circumstances or events, yet only when you seek out options. Choosing to follow certain actions makes life much more interesting and gives you a sense of control. Being pro-active rather than being re-active gives you a sense of responsibility and accountability. Seeing many choices or options indicates your own increased awareness in all the elements of the circumstances you find yourself in, or encounter. Do you ask yourself: “What if?”
Harri’s answers:
- I am currently offering services for looking after horses when the owners need to be away
- I use word of mouth to get my service known
- Could I use social media?
- Perhaps I could broaden the service to include rehabilitation
- I could offer a range of products as part of looking after horses
- I am considering extending the service to include other animals
- I am not a traditional kennel or cattery service
- I have volunteers to help me
- I could take on a business partner
My third question: What are you going to choose to do?
My follow-on questions were: What does your head say you should do? What does your heart say you should do?
QUEST in ROQUE
What are you GOING TO DO? What is your Quest?
This is where you identify the option/s to become your solution to the answer or resolution to your topic or issue. We use the term Quest to respect the fact that successful outcomes reflect a combination of the rational and emotional. When you have ‘Head’ goals, these are what you think you ought to do. You use rationale to support you. When you have ‘Heart’ goals, these are what you feel you ought to do – you have emotion and passion. Sometimes this is referred to as your intuition. At this QUEST level, you need to test that what you think and feel are aligned. That there is integrity and congruence rather than conflict or that ‘torn between feeling’.
Research confirms that when you write down or build a visual aid and share your goals, when you make some ‘public’ statement about them, your chances of success are greater. A good tool to use when goal setting is to express your goals in a SMART criteria:
A SMART goal is: Specific, Measurable, Attractive, ie passionate, Realistic, Timed.
Harri’s answers:
- I need to clarify what business service I should open
- I know what type of business would suit our lifestyle
- I know who my ideal customers would be
- I will market on-line and attend local farming shows
- I will finish my business course and create a business plan
My fourth question: What do you need to do right now before you can take those next steps?
My follow-on questions were: How do you know what you need? Who could help you?
UNIQUE in ROQUE
What do YOU need by way of resource to help support YOUR QUEST before you can begin?
Consider all the resources or ingredients, skills, tools, internal or external support, authority, delegation, process, space, time etc. that you need to have in place before you start. What will make this effort be at the right time, the right place, have the right intent, with the right individual or team to take the right actions? Have you considered the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats or risks?
Harri’s answers:
- I need to prepare my property so that it gives confidence to clients
- I need to build some funds for the initial investments
- I need to create a brand image and an online presence
- I will need some ongoing professional help
My fifth question: So, what exactly are you going to do?
My follow-on questions were: How would you score your commitment from your head on a scale of 1 to 10? And what would the score from your heart be?
EXECUTING in ROQUE
What is your plan for Executing or Achieving YOUR goals?
Results only materialize when you have absolute clarity of vision and purpose. When you have the ability to focus like a laser beam – shining a bright light on that specific intent, passionately energized with your WHOLE being. Then, you no longer have a QUEST or supporting Goals – You ARE the QUEST, the GOALS and the ACTIONS. Execution here is putting your SMART goals into action.
Harri’s answers:
My SMART Goals are:
Create a business case and a business plan (Head: 9 Heart: 5)
What does your score say to you? Answer: I am scared!
What is scaring you? Answer: I don’t know anything about running a business
Who manages your household budget? Answer: I do and I am very good at it because the unemployment benefit is so small?
How does that work for you? Answer: We survive and we only have a small debt. Is a business plan like me managing my budget? Can you show me how?
Have you seen what a business plan looks like in your course? Answer: Oh yes. I did not pay too much attention before, but now you have inspired me to re-look at it.
- Build a financial savings plan – one for the home office and one for the property facilities (Head: 5 Heart: 5)
What does your score say to you? Answer: (Laughs) I struggle. But because I don’t like to owe money to anyone, I just do it! I can do it! I will do it. I change my score to 10 and 10.
- I need to have some office and compliance processes in place (Head: 4 Heart: 5)
What do your scores mean? Answer: I cringe at the word office even though I said it! But I can create a comfortable space in the stable so that is not so bad. Do you think the accountant would come (laughs!). I try to keep the place in good condition to make a good impression with the horse owners, but I am not sure if it is good enough for the OH&S and animal welfare people.
How would you know what is good enough? Answer: Would they tell me if I asked them? Yes, that is what I will do. I will invite them and discuss my plans.
Footnote:
Harri believes that running her own business will help her re-establish her independence. She is confident of her ability to look after horses. Harri is nervous she has no business experience. She is worried that she may not be able to afford professional business coach even though she says she believes she needs one.
Harri is a diligent equine carer. We think this is a strength she can leverage. Harri’s business services marketing can start with local client potential to start small and steady, and build a reputation. Harri is enthusiastic about this as it is more in line with where her finances dictate. Good luck Harri!
Image of an obviously successful horse stable business to inspire Harri!
The ROQUE Coaching Methodology is a free downloadable template.
You can also download the guide Coach’s questions to help you address your particular situation.