The GROW model of coaching

Coaching notes

The GROW model is a fundamental model of coaching and provides a structure for helping people decide what they want and commit to achieving it.

First, remember what coaching is about. It is about raising awareness and clarifying goals.

For a coach, this is driven by curiosity and caring.

GROW

The GROW model is a simple and effective process for coaching. It follows this sequence: –

GOAL setting for the session as well as short and long term
REALITY checking to explore the current situation
OPTIONS and alternative strategies or courses of action
WHAT is to be done, WHEN, by WHOM and the WILL to do it.

Checklist

Here is a set of basic questions that you can use with the GROW model.

Goal – What do you want to achieve?

What do you want?
What are the areas you would like to discuss?
What specifically do you want to achieve?
What would you like instead?
What would be better than that?

Reality – Where are you now in relation to this goal?

What is happening at the moment?
What are you assuming here?
What will happen if you do not achieve this goal?
What will happen if you do achieve this goal?
What resources do you already have to help you achieve your goal?

Options – What could you do to make sure that you achieve your goal?

What could you do to change this situation?
What approaches have you seen used in similar circumstances?
What would you do differently if you were able to start again?
Who might be able to help?
What are you overlooking?

What next – What will you do to make sure that you achieve your goal?

What are you going to do?
Will this action meet your goal?
What might stop you?
Rate your motivation to do this on a scale of 1-10
What it is the first thing you are going to do – immediately?

Exercise

Your exercise is to practice using these specific questions. They are well tested and powerful.

Do not be concerned about using a check list in public.

If you coach people effectively, they will be impressed by the progress they make. And they will recognise that by demonstrating that you are learning, you will be providing them with a role model, too.

When you are confident with the specific questions, then start to vary them to fit the situation. But, remember: a good question is always a good question; lean on the learnings of others.

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