Financial Coaching using the OSKAR Coaching Model

OSKAR is a popular solutions-focused coaching model, which we teach during our Financial Coach Practitioner Certificate Training.

It was developed by coaches Paul Z. Jackson and Mark McKergow and published in their 2002 book, "The Solutions Focus: Making Coaching and Change SIMPLE." Take a look at their website for more on this coaching model: http://solutionfocus.co.uk.

It's a great framework to help clients focus on the problem's solution, rather than on the problem itself. It works especially well when someone is stuck or overwhelmed. It also helps draw the solutions from the client, taming our desire to sometimes want to step in with suggestions. It's far more powerful if the solutions come from your client.

OSKAR stands for Outcome, Scaling, Know-how, Affirmation + Action, and Review.

1. Outcome - asking what they they want to achieve from the coaching session, to resolve the specific problem or issue. The first part is to ask the outcome question and, to add motivation, ask what the benefits of working on this will be. The second part is to ask them step into the outcome they're seeking. If "You wake up in the morning and the old obstacle has shifted, what's now happening for you?"
2. Scaling -  asking them to measure where they are on a scale from 1 to 10 and how they would know they were one level up. Small steps takes away overwhelm. Even if it's a tiny notch up, we're helping move clients in the right direction and gain momentum and confidence.
3. Know-how - helping them address everything they need to get there and what skills, experience, personal qualities that they already possess that will enable them to move forward towards their desired outcome. Perhaps in a different area of their life that's not to do with their finances. Drawing out what they can do helps build confidence.
4. Affirmation + Action - focussing on what's already working well, or is already positive about the actions they've taken to date or skills, qualities, behaviour that will serve them on the journey to their desired outcome. The second part of this is Action - helping them focus on, and commit to, actions they can take to move towards their outcome. 
5. Review - this doesn't happen until the next session, when you review the action they've taken, help them reflect their insights based on what's improved, or blocks to overcome, and identify the next steps they need to take.