Tool 14/30 - GROW

 

The objectives of this short ten minute exercise -

1. To learn a tool that will be helpful in work life 
2. To apply the learning within a few minutes of learning
3. To use this as a morning ritual to start a great day 

Step 1 - the warm up

Keep your journal and pen at hand

Sit in a relaxed position with an intent to go into a ‘flow state’ to learn something new

Take three deep, powerful breaths to lock in your focus and start the next step

Step 2 - the learning

About GROW

The GROW Model is a coaching framework that stands for Goal, Reality, Options, Will. It was introduced in the 1980s by Sir John Whitmore and colleagues to structure effective coaching conversations. GROW helps individuals and teams set clear goals, assess current situations, explore options, and commit to action plans for growth.

Situations (examples) where this tool can be best used

• One-to-one coaching
• Career development planning
• Conflict resolution between team members

The top three mental muscles (competencies) developed by practicing this tool

• Coaching and mentoring - Guiding team members to achieve their potential
• Performance Management - Setting clear goals and giving constructive feedback
• Goal Setting - Defining and executing strategies aligned with organizational goals

A corporate story to understand the usage of this tool

Reed Hastings (Netflix) story - (Reinventing Entertainment with Streaming)

Context - Reed Hastings revolutionized the entertainment industry by transitioning Netflix from a DVD rental service to a global streaming giant. Using the GROW Model, his journey reflects visionary leadership and strategic decision-making.

Goal - In the early 2000s, Hastings envisioned a future where digital streaming would replace physical media. The goal was to create a platform offering on-demand entertainment, accessible globally.

Reality - At the time, streaming technology was nascent, internet speeds were slow, and consumer habits favored DVDs. Netflix's resources were limited, and competitors like Blockbuster dominated the market.

Options - Hastings explored multiple strategies: improving DVD rentals, partnering with internet service providers to enhance streaming capabilities, and investing in original content to differentiate Netflix from competitors. He also analyzed market trends, predicting the rise of broadband internet.

Will (Way forward) - Hastings committed to transitioning Netflix to a streaming-first model despite significant risks. The company phased out DVD rentals, launched streaming in 2007, and gradually expanded into international markets. Netflix also invested heavily in producing original content, starting with "House of Cards" in 2013.

Outcome - By embracing innovation and leveraging the GROW Model, Hastings turned Netflix into a $200 billion enterprise, redefining how the world consumes entertainment.

A story from the World Wars

My personal story

Context

At some point, I was managing some half a dozen functions. Some teams had juniors, some others had techno-functional gurus, and some others possessed skills that I did not have. I had to assign time to learn things quickly to lead these multiple teams.

Could I use the GROW model for this?

Goal - Prepare strategy to effectively lead the diverse teams

Reality - Limited domain knowledge

Options - Invest some time everyday to be with different team members for my personal learning

Will (Way forward) - Develop a detailed action plan (including a Thank you plan to thank everyone who taught me)

Step 3 - the reflection

Sit back, go down memory lane, think of various events in your work life where you could have used this learning.

If nothing comes to mind, think of a situation that would help you answer any one of these interview questions.

1. “Can you provide an example of how you handled a conflict within a team?” - Explain how you identified the team's Goal, assessed the Reality of the conflict, explored Options for resolution, and fostered the Will to implement a solution
2. “Can you describe a time when you set a challenging goal and how you achieved it?” - Share your plan with respect to the goal using the GROW model
3. “Tell me about a time you mentored or coached someone to success” - Showcase instances of how you mentored/ coached someone using the GROW model

Step 4 - the practice

Apply your learning to the situation you selected above.

• Goal
• Reality
• Options
• Will (Way forward)

Step 5 - the victory lap

Celebrate your achievement for a minute. Maybe a quick victory lap doing some energizing exercise?

**

To those who felt, “I don’t think our management believes in management tools. Obviously our efforts won’t be acknowledged or rewarded.” - Do you feel that the last ten minutes were worth the effort?

I must tell you that some inspirational companies have institutionalised this tool (Google, Microsoft, 1st Franklin Financial Corporation, Arkema) 

This exercise is not only about management tools. It’s about building a neural pathway. And it’s about my mantra for creating small daily acts of feeling successful and happy. 

Don’t forget to carry this image 👇 in your mind. There could be a great situation where you may want to use the tool. Keep a log of all such situations. This practice will help you when you want to train someone.

My congratulations for your first dose of the day of success and happiness. Have a great day ahead.