The GROW Model
A couple of days ago, I was explaining what coaching is like to someone who has never experienced it before, and found that the first coaching model I was ever taught – the GROW model - is a great way to help explain it:
Goal
Reality
Options
Wrap-up
This model was developed by Sir John Whitmore in the late 1980s and has been in use ever since.
You might find it useful, either to coach yourself through a difficulty you may be facing, or as a structure that can help you tap into the wisdom of someone in your team.
In the 14 years since I was taught GROW, I’ve learned many other models and frameworks for coaching, and helped many hundreds of clients to shift their thinking and habits in ways that let them find their way through thorny issues and seemingly impossible challenges.
Once people have been coaching for a while, they don’t tend to use GROW particularly explicitly or even consciously. But, in my experience it’s still there in the background, giving useful shape to the coaching conversation.
So here it is – give it a go!
Goals. What do you want to achieve – in this conversation? On the other side of this problem? This year? What does success look, sound and feel like?
Reality. Where are you now in relation to that goal? What is the situation? What is impeding you? What resources or supports might be around? Are you making any assumptions or missing any clues that could be relevant?
Options. Brainstorm several ideas for how you might solve this problem. If you could do anything what would you do? If you were advising a friend in this situation, what would you tell them? If it were a year from now and all was better, what would future you tell today you? And what else might be possible?
Wrap Up. Out of those ideas, which might you try? What’s the next step? What specifically will you do, and by when?
Until next week,
Take care of yourself and others
Madeleine
PS Thank you to everyone who responded to my survey asking for topics you’re interested in!
I appreciated each and every response, and there was a lot of variety. I’ll aim to cover all of your suggestions next year
The top 3 most popular topics were:
Meaning and purpose in work and life
Leadership skills and frameworks
Building confidence,
so stay tuned for more articles on those areas in 2022!
If you’ve got views and didn’t fill in the survey, just drop me a note and let me know!
PPS If you’d like to work with me as you navigate a tricky issue, let me know. Send me a message to enquire, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.
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