1. University of East London
The GROW Model
for Career Coaching
Julia Yates
University of East London

2. Before we start…
Find a partner
Think of a topic

3. their own performance”
“Unlocking a person’s
potential to maximise
their own performance”
Sir John Whitmore
(Whitmore 2002)

4. “Collaborative conversations, grounded in coaching and career theories which lead to a positive outcome regarding career and/or personal fulfillment”
Julia Yates 2013

5. What I like about Career Coaching

6. Instrumental directivity Principled non-directivity
Who’s in charge?
Instrumental directivity
The Coach:
Keeps time
Maintains focus
Moves conversation on
Principled non-directivity
The Client:
Chooses topic
Selects goals
Decides timings

7. GROW model of coaching establish GOAL WAY FORWARD (plan of action)
examine
REALITY
explore and
review
OPTIONS
(Whitmore 2002)

8. GOAL Two or three levels 1. Overall objective
Where do you want to get to?
2. Outcome for session
What do you want from this conversation?

9. REALITY (current situation)
Tell me the story so far
What is happening now?
What skills and experiences do you have?
What do you mean by that?
What have you already tried?
How do you feel about the current situation?

10. OPTIONS Identifying a number of options
What are your options? What else?
If you could do anything, what would you do?
Evaluating options
What advice would your role model give you?
What does your heart / head tell you?

11. WAY FORWARD
“We’ve talked about a lot of things today. What are you actually going to go away and do?”
What challenges might you face?
How will you overcome them?
Who will you get support from?

12. Could this work for you? Find a new partner:
How did you find the GROW process?
How could you incorporate this with clients?

13. Want to learn more?
Van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2013). An introduction to coaching skills London: Sage Yates, J. (2013) The Career Coaching Handbook Hove: Routledge
MSc Career Coaching
University of East London