GROW model for coaching: achieve goals and boost performance

The GROW model for coaching is a framework used by coaches and managers to guide individuals and teams toward achieving their goals and unlocking their full potential. This model provides a step-by-step approach to coaching conversations, making them more focused and effective.

If you’re looking for a solution-focused coaching model for yourself or clients that produces results, the GROW model may be a great fit. 

Whitmore worked closely with two other individuals to build what is now known as the GROW model. Performance coaching expert and speaker Alan Fine, with contributing author Graham Alexander, built on Sir John Whitmore's GROW model image. Together, the three created a coaching framework that has improved the lives of many. 

GROW is an acronym with each part symbolizing one of the four steps of the GROW coaching model:

Goal

Reality

Obstacles or Options

Way forward or Will

Using the GROW model for coaching helps leaders and team members increase performance. It can also help you succeed in personal development. 

Benefits of using the GROW model

Following the GROW model coaching plan can yield several benefits. You can follow the GROW model yourself or with the support of a professional coach. These benefits include increased productivity and improved self-esteem. 

The GROW model can also create a more positive workplace environment by increasing your engagement. GROW coaching for performance improvement can help those trying to awaken their human potential. 

The GROW model was designed to be multifunctional and work for various objectives:

• A senior leader onboarding a new leader
• A nutrition coach helping clients stay motivated to lose weight
• A business mentor aiming to improve their mentoring sessions
• A manager wanting higher productivity within their team
• A career advisor helping clients explore job options
• A tennis coach teaching players to increase performance outcomes
• An online peer tutoring group seeking study improvements

A randomized control study found that even virtual GROW sessions improved subjective well-being. Below, we’ll examine some of this coaching model’s benefits and then discuss exactly how to apply this framework.

Improved clarity and focus on goals

Learning how to focus on your goals can be challenging with all of life’s distractions. The GROW coaching model encourages you to keep your goals at the forefront of your mind. 

One way you can focus better is by including steps toward your goals in your daily schedule. By doing something small for your goals every day, you’re prioritizing your future. 

The GROW model is also a perfect tool for any mindset coach who wants to help their clients stay on track. Coaches can use it to help others find purpose and clarify the goals they value most. 

Enhanced self-awareness and problem-solving skills

Developing self-awareness is a key component of the GROW coaching model. With each coaching session, you can learn more about yourself. 

Maybe you’ve been job-hopping because you need more intellectual challenges in your career field. Or maybe you’ve put off chasing your goals because you struggle with imposter syndrome. With the right coaching skills, you can learn to address underlying obstacles and move in the right direction.  

The GROW model also improves problem-solving strategies. As a result, you learn how to form your own conclusions and think independently. 

Increased motivation and commitment

It’s easy to get excited about initial goal-setting and coaching sessions. Yet staying committed to them is far more difficult. Coaching conversations using the GROW model encourage you to stick to your objectives.

Coaches provide motivation and inspiration through difficult times. Throughout your coaching journey, you’ll discuss each session’s goal and your overall progress. Having either a coaching team or an individual coach by your side can be uplifting and build motivation. 

Boosted empowerment and ownership of personal growth

Taking ownership of your personal development isn’t always easy. The GROW model makes taking accountability feel natural and turns transitions into transformation. Coaches empower you and help you improve your self-determination.

To take ownership of personal growth, acknowledge your responsibilities outside of coaching sessions. This ownership is required to make the most of the GROW model. Adopting a coaching mindset means realizing that your future and success are in your own hands. 

Applying the GROW model in coaching 

Qualities that make a great coach include innovating and finding what works best for clients. Executive coaches can use GROW model coaching to enhance engagement in coaching sessions. Leadership coaches, business coaches, and other coaching professionals can use the GROW model as well. 

GROW can be applied to each session goal with a client to generate more effective results. Using individual or team development plans, here’s how coaches and coaches can jointly execute this model.  

1. Setting SMART goals

It’s essential that goal-setting is done correctly. SMART goals are an integral part of the GROW coaching model framework. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. The SMART goal model is more effective because it takes the ambiguity out of setting goals.

If you haven’t determined your goals yet, you can work out your ideas during a coaching session. The goals you set will be the basis of your coaching process moving forward.

2. Exploring current reality

The reality phase of the GROW process involves examining your current strengths, challenges, and obstacles. Collectively, these things are known as your “current reality.” 

During your coaching session, your coach will likely ask several GROW model questions. When you answer questions about your current reality, your coach can better understand how to help you. 

Your coach’s GROW model questions may be similar to these examples:

• What are the greatest obstacles you need to overcome?
• What prompted you to seek out GROW model performance coaching?
• If you’ve tried another coaching model before, what elements were lacking?
• Which coaching leadership style do you thrive under?
• How do you cope with stress and anxiety caused by challenges?
• What are the benefits of achieving your goals?
• What actions are you taking right now to achieve your goals?
• Where can you go for support?

These are also excellent questions to ask yourself. Looking inward prompts you to think about how to achieve a new reality. 

3. Generating options and solutions

Developing your problem-solving skills is necessary for overcoming problems. Work with your coach to brainstorm ideas and set a session goal to think of solutions to potential obstacles. 

In this phase, you’ll come up with ways to utilize your strengths and resources. Thinking about this will result in options and possibilities for you moving forward. It’s helpful to have alternative plans for roadblocks that may come up. 

Creativity is one of the most important GROW coaching skills for a reason. Unique challenges call for unique innovations. Challenge yourself to think creatively and solve problems from a new perspective. 

4. Developing a will to act or a way forward

Will or way forward is the final step of the GROW process. When you envision the way forward, you make your dreams more than a concept. Instead, they become a possibility within reach. This final step ultimately determines the success of the process. 

Willpower is the internal drive that ensures you stick to your plans. The GROW model increases willpower by having you put a voice to your actions. Rather than just saying “I want to,” your mentality switches to “I will.” 

Your personal development can be fueled by action planning and commitment strategies. An action plan consists of feasible steps to achieve your goal. 

Wrap up your coaching sessions by stating how you’ll execute your action plan. Having a coach helps you stick to your word and follow through. 

Beyond the coaching session: using GROW in everyday life

GROW coaching ideology isn’t exclusive to coaching sessions. You can apply the GROW model to other areas of life. 

Applying GROW to different areas

The best thing about knowledge is that it’s easily transferable. For example, the GROW model encourages better communication skills. Increased communication skills can lead to improved relationships.

The GROW process can also be used to achieve personal goals, including health goals and financial goals. You can even use the GROW coaching model to beat your high score in a game or to learn a new language. Whatever your goals may be, you can use GROW coaching tools to achieve them. 

Self-coaching techniques using the GROW framework

By internalizing the coaching mindset, you can take matters into your own hands and coach yourself using the GROW framework. Self-coaching requires self-reflection and deep thinking about your goals and values. You’ll also need to be highly aware of your strengths and weaknesses. 

As long as you have self-motivation, self-coaching can work. Use the GROW model to ask yourself coaching questions and stick to your action plan. You can start journaling to keep track of your milestones and obstacles. Measuring success and progress is essential for staying on the right path. 

Building self-discipline and accountability for goal achievement

One of the most important things taught by the GROW model is how to hold yourself accountable for your life and current reality. As you achieve personal growth, you may naturally assume more responsibility for your life. Accountability also means learning from your mistakes and making better decisions in the future. 

For instance, if you fail to achieve your goal, you must examine why. What caused your procrastination? Do you need to overcome fear of failure or address a lack of motivation? 

Make a list of things you can change to achieve your goal next time. The GROW coaching process can teach you the lasting discipline you need to do better in the future.

Watching your success with the GROW model for coaching

The GROW model for coaching delivers transformative results. From improved productivity to better self-esteem, its benefits are evident. It’s also inspired many to change their lives. 

To spark change in your life, consider connecting with certified coaches who use the GROW model in their coaching framework. By signing up for 1:1 coaching sessions, you’re committing to working on self-improvement. Over time, you can better yourself as well as your team members.