Coaching Guide: GROW Coaching Model Simplified For You

I believe coaching is unlocking people’s hidden potential and channeling it in a way that works best for them. As the founder of a community-building platform, I have seen executive coaches do that to perfection.

Out of curiosity, I talked to them to learn their secret recipe. They apply different coaching models. However, the top ones credit Sir John Whitmore’s GROW Coaching Model. For me, that was a eureka moment. We all know about this crowned coaching framework.

The GROW Framework is a well-rooted and well-structured coaching tool. The GROW Model can enable coaches to effectively train people for success. That in turn enables coaches to have better opportunities and even better monetization. And that’s what I aim for with all coaches at GroupApp and around the globe.

For that, I have prepared this easy go-to guide to GROW Model in Coaching. I’ve simplified the model for you. That way, it will enable you to leverage the GROW Model in your best interest.

What Is GROW Model In Coaching?

The GROW Model is a four-step coaching framework. It’s versatile when it comes to its application in coaching modalities. GROW model can be applied to any coaching session, project, meeting, online coaching business, etc.

Basically, GROW is an acronym. GROW stands for:

G – Goals

R – Reality

O – Options

W – Will

These are the four steps of the GROW Model.

What Makes GROW Model So Impactful?

Here’s what I think. It’s so simple and straightforward, yet immensely powerful. It sets you in a steady flow state until you achieve your goals successfully.

GROW model provides a systematic, well-planned, and steady path to achieving goals. It’s easy to understand and adapt. These are the reasons why it’s at the core of coaching. This framework allows us to set realistic goals, understand the current situation, identify gaps, and plan accordingly.

Who Developed The GROW Model?

Sir John Whitmore, a maestro in the coaching industry, developed this framework in the late 1980s. He formally introduced it to the world in 1992 in his renowned book “Coaching for Performance”.

Let’s break it down further into 4 steps.

4 Steps Of GROW Model In Coaching

Quickly, let us go over the 4 steps of the GROW Model.

G – Goals

What would you like to achieve through coaching?

You need to set clearly defined goals that you wish to achieve with the help of coaching. Most importantly, the goals must align well with the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) criteria. Honestly, clarity is the key to setting goals.

Just a tip. Make sure you formulate your GOALS positively. A big no to “Don’ts”.

R – Reality

Where do you stand at the moment?

At this stage, you examine your current situation in relation to what you set as a goal. This helps to paint a clear picture of what needs to be done or changed. This also helps to identify potential roadblocks.

O – Options

What options do you have to achieve your goals?

At this stage, you’re looking for realistic possibilities to attain your goals. You assess each option with pros and cons. In essence, it’s a sound brainstorming session between the client and coach.

W – Will

What are you willing and committed to doing to attain your goals? – It’s the way forward.

This is the action stage. You bridge the gap with coaching strategies, actions, and amendments. You chalk out a clear action plan based on your reality and options. Further, you commit to it with strong willpower until you attain your goals.

There you have it.

Next, we’ll learn how to use the GROW framework of coaching.

How To Use GROW Model For A Coaching Session?

This section is about “How you can structure a coaching session using the GROW Model?” and “how does the GROW Model work?”.

Coaches, it’s time to get into the action with GROW Model!

Let us talk about how you can use the GROW model for your coaching sessions. We’ll also discuss the 4 steps in detail. With each step, you will find tips and coaching questions for that particular stage.

Before we begin.

Here’s The Key To Ace GROW Framework Successfully

Be flexible with the GROW Model! Navigate through the model according to your intuition.

You can re-visit the steps in any order or as required. Honestly, this works wonders. This keeps the client motivated and energized. Plus, it helps to connect each stage to yield desirable outcomes.

Diving right in, step by step.

1 – Work On Setting Your Goals

First, you need to have a sound coaching conversation with your client. It will be focused on helping your client set goals that align with the SMART Goals Criteria. These goals can be for professional or personal development.

The coach needs to moderate the GOAL session. Moreover, the coach is responsible to manage time. If the client is steering away in a different direction, the coach needs to bring their attention back to goals. Bring your coaching skills into play.

Remember, the goals have to be formulated positively. Overall, a coach needs to help the client gain clarity to set well-defined goals. For that, you can ask questions.

Questions For GOALS Stage

Here are a few questions you can ask your client:

• What would you wish to be?
• What do you want out of this coaching program?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Can you re-word your goals positively?
• If the problems in your life are removed, what would it be like?
• What does it look like in your mind?

Good To Know

• Focus on setting one goal per session. If a client wants more than one goal, try to keep the scope of those goals small.
• You can work on the current situation of your client as well. This will enable you to take an informed approach. That in turn will result in better goals.

Important

The success of the GROW Framework largely depends on the GOALS stage. That’s why you need to spend sufficient time on this stage.

2 – Assess The Current Reality

The second stage promotes deeper awareness. Here, you will assist your client in examining their current situation from different perspectives. They will see what’s happening around them and how it affects them. This makes them more aware of their current reality.

Coaches can also focus on what inner obstacles the client is facing right now. What’s stopping them? Essentially, this stage should lead to introspection, examining strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and contextual factors affecting progress.

Questions For The Reality Stage

You can ask questions like:

• What’s happening right now?
• Have you taken any steps currently to attain your goals?
• What’s stopping you?
• What’s working right for you and what’s not?
• Are there any lessons you can take from others you have achieved their goals?

How To Ace The Reality Stage? (For Coaches)

I’ve got some GROW Model wisdom for you, coaches!

First, focus fully on listening to what your client is saying as you ask questions. Secondly, do not let the client dwell on the past or talk about the future. Keep it focused on the present.

Third, talk about the client’s goals when you notice they have reached a high level of self-awareness. This will help your client in the coming stages.

Lastly, stick to reality.

3 – Look For Options

After goals and reality, it’s time to look for possibilities with your client. Brainstorm together with your client. Just some info, this stage is also referred to as the “Obstacles” phase.

Because your clients will have obstacles stopping them, and that’s where the possibilities/options can be. However, the term “options” gives a more optimistic outlook.

In this stage, you will help your client fill the gap between the current situation and the ideal future with the options available.

Questions For Options Stage

A few important ones are:

• What do you have in mind?
• Is there anything that worked in the past?
• Are there any alternatives?
• What would you suggest to a person with the same goals?
• Let’s imagine a year has passed and you have achieved your goals. What did you do?

Getting The Best Out Of Options Stage

Here are some tips:

• Always start with open-ended questions.
• Ask questions that lead to imaginative thinking. It’s more likely for your client to have a breakthrough moment if your questions are imaginative.
• Encourage clients to share anything, it doesn’t matter how crazy it might be.
• Try to reframe options by seeing them from different perspectives.
• Offer suggestions when the session draws close to the end.
• Let your client brainstorm creatively.

4 – Help With Establishing Will

Finally, we have the will stage.

This is a crucial stage. At this stage, you will give a recap of the previous steps. Next, you will prepare an actionable plan. The actions need to be well-defined and concrete.

Moreover, you will discuss any future potential obstacles.

You will need to ensure commitment to the plan. Otherwise, the whole framework and progress made until now will go to waste.

Most importantly, you will set up progress checks at regular intervals for accountability. Set a timeframe for reporting the progress and evaluation.

Questions For Will Stage

In the final stage, you can ask:

• What is your level of commitment? Rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
• When you will act on the plan?
• Is there anything we need to put in place before we begin?
• What can you do to increase the level of commitment?
• How will you track progress?

Important

• You can change the action if you see there is no improvement despite the committed action.
• Observe your client closely during this stage. Look for any signs of a lack of motivation or commitment.
• Confirm the commitment of your client. Ask them “Are you 100% committed?”. If they still hesitate, go back into the GROW framework and look for any blocks or doubts.

Why GROW Coaching Model Is So Effective?

The GROW Model in coaching has proven to be supreme. It has several benefits. Let us discuss a few that make it so effective.

First, let’s hear one from the person who developed the GROW Coaching Model. He says in his book Coaching for Performance, The model’s simplicity is its strength.”.

GROW Model Benefits

• GROW Model is versatile when it comes to application. You can apply it in group coaching, online meetings, and even Online Coaching Platforms. You can use it for both personal and professional development.
• GROW Model can help you grow socially in a personal and professional setting. It helps you to develop better interpersonal relationships and a better quality working environment.
• The GROW Coaching Model is suitable for personal development. It enables you to increase self-confidence, unlock hidden potential and increase performance quality.
• GROW Model makes clients more responsible. It makes them feel more confident about themselves.
• This model is pivotal in a good way for corporate training especially C-suite level training. GROW model is suitable for leadership development as it works on finding inner strengths.
• GROW Model can be used to create coaching cultures in organizations by training the higher management. This results in a nurturing working environment.

Are There Drawbacks Of GROW Model?

As such, there are solid drawbacks to this model.

However, it comes with a few concerns. For instance, it might be hard to hold the client accountable and instill consistency. Moreover, one cannot assure the client is being truthful. That can lead to inefficiency in identifying gaps.

Though, these concerns can be addressed with deep coaching conversations and client history.

Online coaching community platforms such as GroupApp can also help coaches to track the progress of their clients.

GroupApp & GROW Model Go Hand-In-Hand!

Both GroupApp and the GROW Model go hand-in-hand!

Let me tell you how. Honestly, all the coaches need to know this.

GroupApp is an online learning community platform for coaches, educators, creators, and entrepreneurs.

It perfectly complements the structure of GROW Model. Coaches can hold 1-on-1 or Group coaching sessions with clients. They can provide them with live coaching and webinars. Moreover, clients can easily access coaching material in the GroupApp Library and Channels. Basically, GroupApp has everything a GROW Model coach needs!

Most Important!

GroupApp addresses the biggest concern that comes with GROW Model. How?

In the GROW Model, the coach can have a hard time tracking the progress of a client. GroupApp offers an efficient community management dashboard with engagement analytics and client activity insights.

Plus, it allows you to automate tasks. You can send automated reminder emails to your clients. Clients can also easily update you. You can also initiate discussions and answer queries.

The best part is you can monetize your coaching. In essence, it’s a life savior for online coaches. Do you want to experience it?

Create Your Free GroupApp Account

Click here.