GROW model is one of many methods that a manager or an individual can use to increase one’s efficiency and motivation. It’s a simple yet very promising method for goal setting and problem-solving. It’s also a basis for several other coaching methods. What the model is doing is getting someone to think about their current situation, desired future, and how they can fill the gap between the two.

Grow with the GROW model

Background

What’s interesting is that GROW model was influenced by the Inner Game method by Timothy Gallwey. As a tennis coach Gallwey noticed that he could often see what players were doing wrong but simply telling them what they should be doing did not bring about lasting change. He noticed, that players were able to follow hid advice for a short time, but were unable to keep it in mind in the long term. The grow model helps with building fundamentals of your goals and getting a deep understanding of what, how and why you want to accomplish.

How GROW model works

The nomenclature refers to the first letters of which make up the meaningful word – grow. It’s a solution focused model and the letters stand for: Goals, Reality, Options and Will. The assumption of the model is to increase the potential, efficiency and commitment of employees.

4 aspects

At each stage of a given problem (goal) you should ask questions relevant to the purpose. The order matters.

The aspects which build up the model are:

GROW model

Goal

The first aspect of the GROW model is properly defining the goals that we want to achieve alone or as a team. Therefore, in this phase, the following questions should be asked:

  • What do you want to accomplish?
  • What is your goal?
  • When to you want to achieve it?
  • What is the reason you want to achieve the goal?
  • How will you know that the goal is accomplished?

Reality

Another aspect is determining the state of the current situation. Ask yourself: where are you starting from? Valuable questions at this stage include:

  • What’s the current situation?
  • What have you already tried to achieve the goal?
  • What actions have you not taken yet?
  • What is stopping you from reaching your goal?
  • What obstacles do you have to overcome?

Options

This aspect is about describing the options and alternative strategies we have. In this stage you will define a proper action plan that will help you to achieve the end goal. Helpful questions include:

  • What can you do to achieve the goal?
  • What are you options?
  • What’s the next step?
  • What actions will ensure the best results?
  • What will happen if you do nothing?

Will

Now it’s decision-making time. You have to choose one of the previously proposed options. Thanks to this, it is possible to determine when and by whom the task is to be performed and whether the selected person wants to perform it. At this stage, ask:

  • What are you going to do?
  • Which option do you choose?
  • Do you want to take these actions?
  • What’s the deadline for achieving your goal?
  • What kind of support do you need?

Time to set your goals!

Read also: What is growth hacking and how can it improve your business?

If you like our content, join our Facebook community to stay in touch!

Author: Agnieszka Markowska-Szmaj