At first glance, the GROW model looks like a neat, linear path — Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward. But in practice, the art of coaching rarely moves in straight lines. Human growth loops, spirals, pauses, and revisits. With time, great coaches learn to dance with that rhythm.
Coaching in Motion
Oh, great coaches, although the GROW model appears to be a linear coaching model, with practice and experience, we gain the confidence to use this approach in a circular or spiralling format.
When following the agenda of the client, a coach needs to maintain flexibility while ensuring the client stays on track. Interrupting the flow of conversation to return to a particular stage may not always be appropriate, as the client may naturally begin to explore options on their own.
As a coach, we must walk a fine line between following the client’s agenda and keeping them on track.
Building and maintaining rapport with our client is crucial to the success of the coaching relationship. There are both verbal and nonverbal aspects to this key skill. As rapport develops and the client feels more comfortable with the coach, the coach can adopt appropriate strategies to manage the session skilfully, without taking control of the agenda or, worse, presupposing the outcomes.
Goal Setting in Practice
Many coaches choose to practise their skills with fellow coaches and sometimes clients, for their coaching portfolios. If you’ve already lined up a willing participant, encourage them to prepare for the session by reflecting on which topic they’d like to be coached on.
Activity:
Recall why people often don’t set goals. Write down as many reasons as you can think of. Only read below after generating reasons of your own. It’s normal if they are similar.
- They think they don’t need it.
- They don’t know where to begin.
- It feels like too much effort.
- They believe they can make it on their own.
- It seems pointless.
- They think they’re already good enough.
- They don’t know how to set a goal or what comes after setting one.
Listening Without Interruption
Coaching lives and breathes in the quiet spaces between words.
“I felt valued, and I learned that the silence given to me allowed me to fill it with whatever I chose, without fear of judgment. I felt accepted. I experienced a fleeting sense of worthiness—my voice counted for something.”
– Nirmala Edwards
Listening deeply — without the impulse to fix or fill — can change the entire quality of the relationship. The client begins to sense their own voice as enough. That’s the moment the real work begins.
Key Learning Points
- The GROW model, while appearing linear, can be used in a circular or spiralling format as coaches gain experience.
- Flexibility is essential in coaching, allowing clients to explore options naturally without strict interruptions.
- Coaches must balance following the client’s agenda while keeping them on track during sessions.
- Building and maintaining rapport, both verbally and non-verbally, is key to a successful coaching relationship.
- The GROW model invites both structure and fluidity — a balance that defines professional growth.
Action Points
- Practise using the GROW model in a flexible and adaptive manner, allowing the client to explore while still maintaining focus.
- Build strong rapport with clients by listening attentively and responding to both verbal and non-verbal cues.
- Encourage clients to set meaningful goals by addressing any underlying barriers, such as uncertainty or lack of motivation.
In Essence
The GROW model is more than just a framework — it’s a mirror. It reflects both the structure and the spirit of coaching: anchored, yet alive. Every session becomes a conversation between direction and discovery, intention and trust.
At Enasni, our coaches know how to follow a model, and how to move with it. Because real coaching happens in motion — fluid, responsive, human.