Today I spent an hour giving Greg Jr. a class in how psychographics influences people to make purchasing decisions for goods and services.
I then asked Greg Jr. what market was he most interested in and he said “Belongers because I don’t want to be beholding to anyone to make money. Plus it’s the largest market.”
Color Dad impressed. Smart kid picking the largest market and a business that lent itself to many transactions without being dependent on any one customer. I love how this kid thinks!
Then I told him we should ask Shonika to keep an eye out for graphic design jobs for Greg Jr. and she said, “I’d like to hear that from Greg Jr.” He piped up and asked “I would appreciate it if you could help me find some graphic design work.” and she said “Who me? Support teens! Why would I do that?” – quite the mismatch that totally hit the mark and got Greg Jr. attention. He thanked Shonika (after I promopted him) when I suddenly realized I needed to get out of the way!
I said, here you talk to Shonika and I’ll leave you two alone. I left the room. I only added my two cents (stuck my nose in) once.
What Shonika did next was brilliant, she asked an open-ended question that got him speaking his truth… that he was “really” interested in photography.
She asked a few more questions and tossed a brilliant idea in his direction. Creating Digital Photo Albums for people. He loved the idea because he knows graphics, loves photography and in his words…
People have lots of photos sitting on their hard drives and do nothing with them.
He left the house camera in hand! Thank you Shonika!
What I Observed Today
- Modelling Ask: I took him by the hand and he heard me ask for support plus he learned what “ask” is really about from Shonika.
- Synchronicity: Obviously there was some real cool synchronicity going on me teaching Greg Jr. psychographics, then connecting Shonika, her coaching, finding an idea that motivated him.
- Getting Outta the Way: being child of an overbearing entrepreneur is not easy especially when you are starting your own business. I knew I needed to get out of the way and I couldn’t help but give synchronicity a little push.
What an awesome day and terrific modeling by you and Shonika.
I have a ton of pictures on my hard drive and I was just speaking to the girls about them 2 days ago. Danielle’s life is in 5 huge tubs that are taking up space in my house and are not being viewed while Leila’s is on the hard drive and I have not done anything with them.
Let me know when you are ready. Sounds like a cool business and who knows where it will lead you.
What was so thrilling for me was the synchronicity, the universe coming through and meeting our need. Very reassuring.
We are all teachers and the point that we teach the most and provide the best coaching are the moments when we don’t try
Having said that, entrepreneurship is a lot like life….the most important lessons cannot be taught.
1. Open ended and reflective questions are important because the person answering the ? is generally going to respond one of two ways – with a truthful answer because they know you really care or with a short answer (a defense mechanism) because they don’t trust you
2. I wasn’t coaching, I was listening and we were co-exploring and as I started sharing ideas one after the other he started seeing a place that was a perfect fit for him
3. In the end, Greg Jr. didn’t learn…he discovered. There was actually a way he could find balance in combining his dream with the reality of his circumstances.
@Marianne, hear ye, hear ye. I have a bunch of photos of my house renovation that I always say I want to get organized. Geesh. That is a hot mess
Shonika, you are such a wise person. Listening and exploring, what a novel approach?! Hmm… where did you learn that? lol
I have been looking for the opportunity to get out of his way. I know he would not see it that way. I am excited for him because I have found nothing more fun and life affirming than exploring and idea and then turning it into a business. Well, maybe one… home schooling my son and watching him grow is the greatest thrill in life.
Everything else pales in comparison.