About this session
Managers often intend to coach but quickly move into problem-solving: an employee explains a challenge, the manager identifies the answer and the conversation becomes advice.
That may be appropriate when somebody needs instruction, a decision or urgent direction, but repeated advice can limit reflection and create dependency where the employee could have developed their own judgment.
GROW provides a simple structure for a different kind of conversation. Goal clarifies what the person wants or needs to achieve.
Reality explores what is currently happening, including evidence, assumptions, barriers and previous attempts. Options opens the solution space before the first idea becomes the answer.
Will — sometimes described as Way Forward — turns possibilities into specific action, ownership and follow-through.
Participants learn to use the model flexibly rather than mechanically.
They practice stronger questions, listening, purposeful silence, challenge and summarizing; recognize when the conversation needs to revisit an earlier stage; and distinguish situations where coaching is useful from those requiring feedback, instruction, support or a clear management decision.
The goal is not to ask more questions for their own sake. It is to help people think more clearly, take greater ownership and convert insight into action.
What your people take away
- Use Goal, Reality, Options and Will to structure purposeful coaching conversations
- Clarify meaningful outcomes before rushing into advice or action
- Explore current reality using evidence, questions and reflection rather than assumptions
- Generate a wider range of options while keeping ownership with the person being coached
- Convert insight into specific commitments, support and follow-through
- Recognize when to coach and when a manager should instead give feedback, instruction, support or direction
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- What each length covers, 30 minutes to full day
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: The four GROW stagesA focused 30-minute session on three key points from The four GROW stages: goal, reality and options.
- Goal
- Reality
- Options
Covers 3 of 4 points in The four GROW stages.
60 minutes
60 Minutes — Use GROW to Structure Better Coaching ConversationsA focused introduction to Goal, Reality, Options and Will. Participants learn what each stage is designed to accomplish and practice using the model to structure an everyday workplace coaching conversation.
- Coaching vs. telling
- GROW at a glance
- Goal
- Reality
- Options
- Will / Way Forward
- GROW Coaching Quick Planner
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: The four GROW stages.
90 minutes
90 Minutes — Coach With GROW From Goal to ActionThe extended session develops the full GROW conversation with deeper practice in goal clarity, questioning, listening, assumption challenge, option generation, commitment and follow-through.
- When to coach
- Goal clarification
- Reality exploration
- Evidence and assumptions
- Powerful questions
- Listening and silence
- Option generation
- Commitment
- Follow-through
- GROW Conversation Planner
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: The four GROW stages and Apply GROW to Real Coaching Conversations.
3 hours
3 Hours — GROW in PracticeBuilds on the 90-minute session, with more time to apply GROW to a real or realistic workplace case and to explore the thinking behind it.
- The four GROW stages
- Apply GROW to Real Coaching Conversations
- The Thinking Behind GROW
- Applied workplace case
- Live Q&A
Covers 3 of 4 parts: The four GROW stages, Apply GROW to Real Coaching Conversations and The Thinking Behind GROW.
Full day
Full Day — GROW Coaching Conversation LabA practical full-day workshop built around repeated coaching practice. Participants use GROW across realistic development, performance and problem-solving scenarios, receive structured feedback and strengthen the judgment required to know when to coach, challenge, support or give direction.
- GROW Framework at a Glance
- Coach vs. Direct Decision Practice
- Goal-Clarity Exercises
- Reality Exploration
- Fact / Interpretation / Assumption Practice
- Questioning & Listening Lab
- Option Expansion
- Commitment & Way Forward
- Leading-Question Challenge
- Observed Coaching Triads
- Feedback & Reflection
- 90-Day Coaching Practice Plan
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
Also available as a 4-week or 8-week program, for change that lasts. Ask us about it.
What’s covered
The four GROW stages
Every length- GoalClarify what the person wants to achieve from the conversation and the wider situation.
- RealityUnderstand what is happening now and what is shaping the current situation.
- OptionsExpand the possible ways forward before selecting an action.
- Will / Way ForwardConvert the chosen direction into specific action, ownership and follow-through.
Apply GROW to Real Coaching Conversations
90 minutes and longer- Clarify the GoalAgree what the person wants from the conversation and what meaningful progress would look like.
- Explore the RealityInvestigate the current situation, evidence, previous attempts, assumptions, barriers and resources.
- Expand the OptionsGenerate several possible responses and explore their consequences before choosing.
- Commit to the Way ForwardTurn the chosen option into a specific action, timeframe and ownership commitment.
- Follow Through & LearnReview what happened, what was learned and whether the goal or next action now needs to change.
The Thinking Behind GROW
3 hours and longer- Coaching Is Not Advice With Question MarksA manager who already knows the answer and uses leading questions to push the employee toward it is directing indirectly rather than genuinely coaching.
- The Goal Shapes the ConversationWithout enough clarity about the desired outcome, coaching can become an interesting discussion that never resolves what the person is trying to change or accomplish.
- Reality Needs Evidence and PerspectiveExploring current reality should challenge assumptions and reveal useful context rather than simply reinforcing the person's first interpretation of the problem.
- Options Need Space Before EvaluationThe first plausible solution can prematurely close thinking.
Common GROW Coaching Failure Modes
Full day only- Rushing the GoalStarting solution exploration before the person has clarified what they actually want can produce useful ideas aimed at the wrong outcome.
- Treating Their Story as the Whole RealityCoaching should help people examine evidence and assumptions rather than simply validating the first interpretation of what happened.
- Giving the Options YourselfWhen the manager immediately supplies the solution list, the employee may leave with actions but little additional thinking capability or ownership.
- Leading QuestionsQuestions such as 'Don't you think you should speak to them?' disguise advice as coaching and steer the person toward the manager's preferred answer.
Tools and materials
- Coach / Direct / Support Matrix
- Coaching Goal Builder
- Reality Exploration Map
- Powerful Question Guide
- Fact / Interpretation / Assumption Check
- Option Generation Canvas
- What Else? Question Set
- Way Forward Planner
- Coaching Challenge Guide
- GROW Manager Coaching Playbook
Who it’s for
- Managers and team leaders holding development and performance conversations
- HR and People professionals supporting manager capability
- L&D and leadership-development teams building coaching cultures
- Project and functional leaders who need others to think, solve and take greater ownership
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about GROW Model for Coaching
How long is GROW Model for Coaching?
GROW Model for Coaching runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from The four GROW stages: goal, reality and options. A 60-minute session covers The four GROW stages in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Apply GROW to Real Coaching Conversations. A 3-hour session adds The Thinking Behind GROW. A full-day session adds Common GROW Coaching Failure Modes. It is also available as a 4-week or 8-week program.
Can GROW Model for Coaching be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book GROW Model for Coaching?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open GROW Model for Coaching to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.