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, whether it's mastering a new framework or improving their system design skills.
Instead of assuming you know their goals, you ask questions that help them articulate their desired outcome.
Engagement Message
Why might an engineer's personal development goals be different from the project's immediate needs?
The "R" stands for Reality. Here you explore the current situation. What's working? What isn't? What obstacles exist, like legacy code or knowledge gaps?
This isn't about judgment—it's about creating a clear, honest picture of where things stand right now.
Engagement Message
How might understanding the current technical reality differently change an engineer's approach to a problem?
The "O" stands for Options. Now you brainstorm possible ways forward. Maybe it's pair programming, taking a course, or tackling a small part of a new system.
Your job isn't to provide all the answers but to help them generate creative solutions.
Engagement Message
When have you been more motivated by your own technical solution versus one you were told to implement?
