Last time we explored the difference between managing and coaching. Now you need a practical framework to guide your coaching conversations.
Meet GROW - a simple four-step model that transforms how you coach your team members.
Engagement Message
Have you ever struggled to know what to ask during coaching conversations?
GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will. Think of it as a roadmap that guides both you and your team member through productive coaching discussions.
Without a framework, coaching conversations often wander or feel awkward. GROW provides structure while keeping the focus on development.
Engagement Message
What happens in your conversations when you don't have a clear structure?
The "G" stands for Goal. This is where you help your team member get crystal clear about what they want to achieve.
Instead of assuming you know their goals, you ask questions that help them articulate their desired outcome.
Engagement Message
Why might their goals be different from what you initially assumed?
The "R" stands for Reality. Here you explore the current situation together. What's working? What isn't? What obstacles exist?
This isn't about judgment - it's about creating a clear, honest picture of where things stand right now.
Engagement Message
How might understanding reality differently change someone's approach?
The "O" stands for Options. Now you brainstorm possible ways forward. Your job isn't to provide all the answers but to help them generate creative solutions.
People are more committed to ideas they help create than ones imposed on them.
Engagement Message
When have you been more motivated by your own ideas versus someone else's?
