Coaching can be a very effective way of supporting someone to reach or develop a specific goal.  I thought an executive session I did today in was an example of that  – I was using the GROW model (see below) – This employee is a very competent senior manager but can often focus on what is not going well:

Coach/  What would you like to use this session for?

Coachee/  I’d like to explore the promotion I have been offered 

Coach/ What exactly would you like to achieve by the end of this session?

Coachee/ I’d like to come away with more confidence in my abilities (goal)

Coach/ I see, more confidence….what do you think your key strengths are in your current position? (reality)

Coachee/  Well I seem to be organised and manage to achieve the targets I set for myself and others, but I lack confidence when it comes to things like appraisals and team leadership. 

Coach/  So, I heard you say that you are organised and achieve targets.  You also said that others achieve targets you set for them – is that correct? (reality)

Coachee/ Yes, that’s correct. 

Coach/ If that is so then what is it you are doing that motivates them?

Coachee/ I think I am clear in my delegation and people seem to be able to come to me if there is a problem. 

Coach/ So that sounds as if people trust your judgement and feel they can come to you for guidance, does that sound about right?

Coachee/ Well yes I suppose it does.

Coach/ So would you say that you lead your team well currently?

Coachee/ Yes, now I come to explore it I can see that I am competent in some areas .  However I still feel I lack skills in doing appraisals and team leading team meetings.

Coach/ What would give you more confidence in these areas? (options)

Coachee/ Umm  I think taking a training course in appraisals would help and perhaps joining the local speakers club would help me to feel more confident when facing the whole team together. My wife is a member.

Coach/ So what do you think would be a way forward from here? (Will)

Coachee/ Yes, I think joining the speakers club would be useful so I’ll go along to the next meeting.  Would it be possible to get some appraisal training in the near future?

Coach/ Where could you find out about this?

Coachee/  Umm  I’ll ask HR and see if any courses are being offered.

Coach/ Is there anything else?

Coachee/ No not at present.  I have some ideas to take away and work with now.

 Using the GROW model of Goal, Reality, Options and Way forward this employee managed to build on his strengths and go away from the session feeling more confident.  I have noticed that clients often disregard their strengths and focus on their weaknesses.  If as a coach we can help clients to see the areas where they are confident or more experienced they can then build on these.  It is far more motivating to build confidence from a postion of strength.

Jackie