Coaching and TGROW - Part 1
Part 1: The “T” in TGROW
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, what are some frameworks coaches use in working with their clients. One of most effective tools we use is the TGROW (Topic, Goal, Reality, Options and Will / Way Forward) model, which you may also use to self-coach. In this post, I will share about the Topic step.
Topic
A clear understanding of your agenda is crucial to maintaining focus and allowing yourself to articulate any themes or concerns you may want to explore. People often come to coaching with multiple concerns or feelings of overwhelm, frustration and uncertainty. We aim to narrow down the focus to a single manageable topic that will bring the most value to the session.
Generating ideas with the Wheel of Life
Sometimes, clients come with a general feeling of wanting to improve their lives in general but are unsure of where to start. One of my favourite and simple to use tools is the Wheel of Life. You can print it out and, in a few minutes, create a snapshot on how you rate different parts of your life. By mapping it out, it brings focus to areas that you may want to work on.
Note that spirituality does not (necessarily) mean religiosity. It is the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than yourself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.
Hopefully that has helped you to generate some ideas of what you may want to explore.
Asking the Right Questions
As a coach, our role is not to dictate or suggest topics but to allow you to arrive at what feels most relevant to you. Here are some basic questions we may typically use which you may ask yourself to help you to decide on a topic
"What would you like to focus on today?"
"What’s been on your mind recently that we can work through together?"
"Is there something specific that you’d like to resolve or explore today?"
"What’s the most important thing for you to address right now?"
By listening attentively, the coach can identify underlying themes or patterns that may need further exploration in future sessions.
I’m at My Happiest When
A positive tone tool which I love to use is asking clients to fill up this form, which is like the wheel of life but directly identifying what makes them happy in each area. I find this tool a very inspiring and powerful way to get clients thinking about areas they wish to work on.
Self-Coaching
Decided on a topic yet? If not, print out the wheel of life and give it a try. Think carefully what you may wish to focus on and while there will be many areas vying for your attention, try to choose one. Then join me in the next post about goal setting!
