Are you using the TGROW model?

TGROW is a highly effective coaching approach in the workplace – a great structure for a great coaching moment. Miles Downey, in his book ‘Effective Coaching’, simply added the T – for topic.

It allows for clarification and exploration of the issue that the coachee considers most important or urgent to deal with. Keeping the ‘T’ in mind helps keep the rest of the GROW conversation focused.

If you’re new to the model, you might find the following sample openers and questions useful:

TOPIC: getting an understanding of the issue

  • Sure, I can give you 5 minutes now, what would you like to talk about…?
  • How’s it going?
  • Picking up from before, where are you now?
  • Give me a flavour of what’s working well?
  • Tell me about….?
  • What’s your biggest challenge / opportunity at the moment?

GOAL: outcome for the conversation

  • What do you want to move forward on?
  • What can we achieve now in the time available?
  • How far and detailed do you hope to get in our conversation?
  • What do you want to take away from our conversation?
  • In the long term, what is your goal related to this issue?

REALITY: what is happening now

  • Tell me more about what is going on…?
  • What do you see as the real issue here?
  • What have you done so far?
  • What stops you doing more?
  • What resources do you already have? (Skill, time, enthusiasm, budget, support etc?)

OPTIONS: what is possible

  • What are your options?
  • What would you do if you could start with a clean sheet?
  • What would move you forward just one step
  • What else could you do?
  • What are the pros and cons of this option?
  • Which would give the best result?
  • What appeals to you most?

WILL: actions, commitment and wrap up

  • What will you do?
  • How can you make this easy?
  • What are your criteria for success?
  • When precisely will you start?
  • What support do you need?
  • What’s your commitment on a 1-10 scale to taking these agreed actions?
  • What could you do to raise your commitment closer to 10?
  • What do you need from me?

At Maximum Coaching, we love this model. If you’re interested in the above, it’s a key element of our ‘Coaching moments’ session. Or give us a call on 01582 463461 – we’re here to help!

Categories: Coaching

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