The GROW model was developed over forty years ago by Sir John Whitmore and published in his book “Coaching For Performance” in the 1980’s. It is still the gold standard of session structure for coaches today.
At The Coaching Academy our life coaching students are trained in how to use the GROW model to structure their coaching sessions and unlock their client’s potential. It is one of the foundations of our teachings and is recognised as the world’s most popular coaching model because it uses a simple, but not simplistic structure to achieve the best results.
As one of our students, we will introduce you to a whole host of tools to help you get the most from your coaching, but it is the GROW model that will supply the framework to those sessions. The GROW model is a powerful multi-layered tool to use with clients to facilitate their goals. It helps both new and established coaches guide the client through their session, whilst avoiding narrow thinking and leading questions. It also helps with time management and the flow of the session, so it never feels rushed. It has a logic to it which aids both learning and understanding, so consequently you’ll be able to instantly access the model and apply it to your coaching sessions, ‘thinking through’ any potential barriers.
So, how does it work?
Using a broad outline, the GROW model divides the coaching session into four equal parts:
Goal: Enables the client to identify an inspirational goal that they will be motivated to achieve. The client now has a clear vision of what they want.
Reality: Helps review the “reality” of where the client is right now in respect of their progress in achieving that goal, including any obstacles and possible resources they could tap into. The client, with the support of powerful questioning from the coach is able to identify any empowering or limiting beliefs along with their strengths or potential challenges and is aware of their current situation.
Options: This is a very creative part of the process for the client where the coach supports the client to become very resourceful and think of all the potential ideas and steps they could take to achieve their goal. The more options, the better! The client is now able to see the many optional routes they can take and bridges between where they are now and where they want to be.
Way Forward: Provides the client with the time to consider and then commit to the actions they will take within a defined timeframe. The coach empowers the client with questions to commit to the preferred option, along with commitment and motivation levels to taking that action. The client now has a clear path to achieving their goal and the motivation to do so.
‘The GROW model provides a framework, and in the early days also an anchor, for my coaching sessions. I can guide my client through each stage knowing that by the end they will have chosen their goal, identified the best steps to achieving it, can sidestep any obstacles and, most importantly, are motivated to take action.’
Amy W. student at The Coaching Academy
The GROW model is one of the many tools you will learn about whilst training with us. It is key to our clients unlocking their goals. In fact, it is so impactful that you will soon find yourself applying it to your own life when you want to solve outwardly complex problems or improve your own performance.
If you’re new to coaching, you can find out more about the GROW model at our free Introduction to Life Coaching webinar. If you are already a coach or are training with us, then get in contact and let us know why you love GROW!
The Coaching Academy was established in 1999, and is now the world's largest coaching school.
In that time we have trained over 14,000 people to become life coaches.
We are accredited by the International Coach Federation and the Association for Coaching, and we're rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
