Working with the ideas in practice. Goals Reality Options Will Challenge for action! SOWOT? SWOT? Consider the people involved and possible use of tools of engagement

The GROW Model:
The GROW Model used at Wizard Solutions forms the basis for all our coaching programmes. It provides a simple yet powerful framework for navigating a route through a coaching session, as well as acting as a ‘route finder’ when lost.

GROW is an acronym for Goal, current Reality, Options and Will - which are seen as the four key elements of a coaching session. We mentioned at your first coaching session that the process and outcomes belong to you you take it and make it work. The GROW Model applies to the structure of an individual session, but part of its strength is that it can equally well be applied to a part of a session, or to series of sessions acting as the prompt for ‘keeping the activity going’. In each case, the principle is the same.

Firstly, a session must have a Goal or outcome to be achieved. The goal should be as specific as possible and it must be possible to measure whether it has been achieved. So, having identified the goal, questions like "How will you know that you have achieved that goal?" are useful here.

As well as knowing where you are trying to get to, you need to know where you are starting from - the Current Reality. It is surprising how often this key part of a coaching session is missing we established this with you on your very first session. By just seeing clearly the situation (rather than what was thought or imagined to be the situation), your resolution becomes obvious and straightforward. Next we can look at what we can do.

Once you know where you are and where you want to go, the next step is to explore what Options you have for getting there. A useful metaphor for GROW is a map: once you know where you are going (the goal) and where you are (current reality), you can explore possible ways of making the journey (options) and choose the best.

But this in itself is not enough - you must also have the motivation or Will to make the journey. The "W" is often taken to stand for a number of other elements of a session, all of which are important. Myles Downey in his book "Effective Coaching" suggests it stands for "Wrap-up"; others have it standing for What, Where, Why, When and How? But whatever is emphasised, the desired outcome from this stage is a commitment to action.

The GROW process has been presented sequentially here. In practice, it is a much less linear process which may start anywhere and revisit each of the stages several times. Use the GROW model to action plan and keep ‘on track’ question where you are, talk to colleagues and managers who can all help you to see the map in perspective. Don’t concentrate too much on detail in one area keep the bigger picture in mind.

Remember you are the key to using your own experience to develop.