Time and again this blog has discussed the importance of coaching and developing your employees as you foster and encourage their growth and improvement. Given the significance of this task, it makes sense that we further examine some additional coaching models. Let’s explore Whitmore’s GROW model (2004) – its beauty lies in its simplicity and clearly defined steps. It affords the leader ample opportunity to coach the employee along the way, while allowing the employee to productively work through an issue.
The GROW model has four parts: Goal, Reality, Options, and Will (Whitmore, 2004, p. 174-176). It’s your responsibility as the leader to help the coachee along as she progresses through the different parts of the coaching experience. In the first part, the coachee must identify a goal or an issue which she’d like to address. A clear and well-defined goal is a crucial part of this coaching experience, so don’t hesitate to step in if your employee has trouble defining her desired outcome. The second part of the GROW model calls for assessing the present situation in more detail. This is where the coachee should offer more specifics regarding the problem at hand. Listen to the employee and pay attention to any aspects that may be eluding her. Bring up any additional issues that you may have spotted which you find worthy of further consideration. Help your employee to examine every facet of an issue. During the Options part of the GROW model, encourage the coachee to look for alternatives that may help to resolve the issue. Finally, the last stage of this model calls for a decision on what actions to take. This is when the coachee actually settles on what she’ll do, chooses deadlines and ways to measure progress, and seeks supports as needed.
This simple model can be a very effective tool as you coach your employees. Since your responsibility (as the leader) is to guide and encourage them as they move forward, the fuller your toolbox the better.
Whitmore, J. (2004). Coaching For Performance: GROWing People, Performance and Purpose (3rd ed.). London: Nicholas Bearley Publishing.
