Structuring the coaching session: GROW
So, how do we actually structure a coaching session? The GROW (**G**oal, **R**eality, **O**ptions, **W**rap up) model is one of the most common coaching tools, widely used by many great coaches.
The framework provides a simple four step structure for a coaching session. During the first step of a session [Goal], coach and coachee agree on a specific topic and objective for the discussion. During the second step [Reality], both coach and coachee invite self assessment and offer specific examples to illustrate their points. They then move into the third step [Options], where suggestions are offered and choices made. And finally [Wrap up], the coach and coachee commit to action, define a timeframe for their objectives and identify how to overcome possible obstacles.
Here are a few tips for using this model:
- Use more ‘ask’ than ‘tell’; elicit useful ideas from your coachee – don’t just try to prove you are smart
- Think creatively – not just systematically, particularly in the Options and Wrap up steps
- Illustrate, and check understanding, throughout by using specific examples – from the coachee’s and your own experiences
- If you have a follow up session, you can obviously lengthen or shorten each of the four steps as needed
The Grow Model
- Agree topic for discussion
- Agree specific objective of session
- Set long-term aim if appropriate
- Invite self-assessment
- Offer specific examples of feedback
- Avoid or check assumptions
- Discard irrelevant history
- Commit to action
- Identify possible obstacles
- Make steps specific and define timing
- Agree support
- Cover the full range of options
- Invite suggestions from the coachee
- Offer suggestions carefully
- Ensure choices are made
Each session could begin with a check in on what happen since the last meeting, what happen with decisions made, etc.
Assignment
To reflect on what you have just learned, we ask you to write a short
narrative reflecting on the learned material. The narrative shall be
about your past/current experience on coaching. You can find all
necessary information about this at
https://wiki.mozilla.org/ReMo/Coaching/Training#Write_a_narrative. If you don’t want to write a narrative at this point, you can also write a bigger one at the end of all learning modules.
Credit: material is adapted from here.