Coaching With the GROW Model
Asking effective questions in a structured format can help increase self-awareness and encourage ownership of a conversation’s outcomes. The four-step GROW Coaching Model is a popular coaching framework that structures conversations through powerful questions.
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About the GROW Coaching Model
Developed by Sir John Whitmore, the GROW Coaching Model is a simple and powerful four-step coaching framework that provides a format for goal setting (G), reflection on reality (R), exploration of options available (O) and a focus on action to define the way forward (W). By using powerful coaching questions aligned with each step of the model, you can facilitate a structured conversation that ensures clear goals and outcomes.
The components of GROW do not always need to follow a linear order, and while it is important to establish a clear goal upfront, the navigation of the challenge may see you move between reality, options and way forward based on the direction of the conversation. At times, you may also find yourself needing to re-establish the goal, so while the structure is helpful, remember flexibility is also important. The key is to move from the goal, through discovery, to the next step or action.
Key Benefits of the GROW Coaching Model
The GROW Coaching Model:
Provides a process for goal setting, problem-solving and performance improvement.
Promotes self-motivation, leading to increased productivity and outputs.
Helps focus on incremental success, either individually or as a team.
How to Coach With the GROW Cocahing Model
Begin the conversation with your coachee by clarifying what your coachee wants to achieve (Goal). Once the goal has been established, explore your coachee's current reality (Reality). Next, encourage your coachee to brainstorm ideas on all of their available options to move forward (Options). Finally, support your coachee to take ownership and create a way forward. Ensure they create a clear action plan to realise their goals (Way Forward).
GROW Coaching Questions
GOAL: What do you want to achieve?
What is the current challenge you want to solve?
What is it about this situation that led you to choose it today?
How is this a challenge for you right now?
What do you want to change?
How would you like it to be?
If this challenge no longer existed, how would things be instead?
REALITY: What is your current situation?
What is happening now?
What have you done so far to transform this situation?
What results did you get?
What did you learn?
What obstacles are in the way that could stop you from achieving this outcome?
What resources do you have available to you?
If things don't change, what is likely to happen?
OPTIONS: What are your options to move forward?
What options are currently available to you?
What could you do to move you one step closer to your desired outcome?
What could you do if you weren’t answerable to anyone?
What could you do if you could devote all of your time to this situation?
What excites you most about the opportunity that exists in this challenge?
Do you have a preferred option you would like to act on?
WAY FORWARD: What will you commit to?
Looking at your options, what action will bring you one step closer to your goal?
What do you need to complete this action? Resources? Information?
What support do you need?
Who do you need on your team?
When will you have completed this first step?
On a scale of 1 to 10, (10 as the highest rating), how committed to action are you?
How will you hold yourself accountable to your plan?
Download the GROW Coaching Model Guide, Question Sets and Imagery
If you’ve found this summary helpful, check out our GROW Coaching Model Guide, Question Sets and Imagery – created to help you coach effectively with the GROW framework.
The product pack includes a full set of more than 60 coaching questions, a self-coaching exercise to send to your coachee before or after your coaching session, and high-res images for use in your coaching guides or workshop materials.
Get ready, set, and GROW!
