The GROW Model of Coaching
The GROW Model is perhaps one of the most widely used coaching models. It is a simple yet powerful framework to guide you through a coaching session. GROW is an acronym for Goal, current Reality, Options and Wrap up - the four key elements of a coaching session. One of the strengths of this model is that it can be applied to a part of a session or to series of sessions.
First, a session must have a Goal or outcome to be achieved. The goal should be as specific as possible and it must be possible to measure whether it has been achieved.
- What do you want to achieve out of this coaching session/ relationship?
- What are the SMART goals you want to achieve?
- Why are you hoping to achieve this goal?
- What are the expectations of others?
- Who else needs to know about the plan? How will you inform them
Second, you need to know where you are starting from - the Current Reality. Here you let them tell their story, invite self assessment, what’s happening, when does this happen, what effect does it have, other factors, etc.
- What is the reality of the current situation?
- Why haven’t you reached this goal already?
- What is really stopping you?
- Do you know anyone who has achieved that goal?
- What can you learn from them?
Once you know where you are and where you want to go, the next step is to explore what Options you have for getting there. Here you can brainstorm options. Remember you are the coach not the learner so ask – don’t tell, empower, ensure choice.
- What could you do as a first step?
- What else could you do?
- What would happen if you did nothing?
Now you need to think about having a commitment to action. You might identify specific steps and any obstacle or , write action plan)
- Where does this goal fit in with your personal priorities at the moment?
- What obstacles do you expect to meet? How will you overcome them?
- How committed are you to this goal?
- What steps do you need to take to achieve this?
In practice, the GROW process is not always a linear process you may need to revisit each of the stages several times.
