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change . When I attained my certification from CDI Africa Coaching Group , I was amazed at how a simple tool can create such transformation . The transformation however only comes with focus and tenacity . Both coach and coachee must be committed to the final results . The model is a powerful tool that the coach uses to raise the awareness and responsibility on goals and aspirations of the coachee .

The GROW model is an acronym explained in the John Whitmore ’ s Grow model chart in this article

How does coaching work ? Coaching uses a series of powerful questions to raise awareness , to confirm what the coachee has said and to help the coachee navigate towards their own solutions . Coaching is not prescriptive . It allows the coachee to find the path that makes more sense for them . It has lots of aha ! Moments . Coaching provides toolkits that guide the coachee to navigate various situations e . g ., in establishing the best way to manage stakeholders , a coach can recommend a stakeholder map to the coachee or books to read .

The first task is to establish the coaching goals . I remember my first coaching experience , it took me two sessions to be clear on my coaching goals , having written and rewritten them .

Once the goals have been established the second step is to review the current reality . For instance , if a coachee is looking for growth , a gap analysis is done to establish which skills are needed to take advantage of opportunities at the next level and what gaps need to be filled to be ready for the role .

It is probable that currently , the next level does not have open positions . However , there are several open positions that are lateral . By presenting these and evaluating each based on the skill sets that the coachee needs to develop , the coachee is able to consider and perhaps exploit the opportunities that will provide for breadth and depth of knowledge and skills acquisition even as they explore opportunities for growth . In this way , the coachee begins to feel in control of their journey as they are clear the skills that they need to develop .

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Coaching gives you control to drive your destiny and to work on improving yourself as you navigate the challenges of leadership . Coaching is an invitation to give yourself a gift to gain clarity towards your most audacious goals . A coach ’ s pride is when a coachee , with determination and focus on the goal , finally achieves the impossible .

forward . With the eye firmly on the prize , the coachee learns to navigate the path to growth without frustration but firmly focused on honing skills along the way .

Coaching is not only useful in career progression . It is useful in all our aspirations including achievement of personal goals . My very first coachee after my certification had a goal to get a home for his family . He was obsessed with the idea , but he was unsure which path to take . He had a strong desire to settle his family in a safe area with sufficient space for his family . The goal was clear .

His current reality was that he needed to restructure his finances as he evaluated whether to buy or build . The first coaching session was focused on building a case for each option . This process enabled the coachee evaluate each option in detail . It allowed the coachee to also evaluate the methods of financing . The coachee had to prepare all the details in readiness for the next meeting . The coaching process sets a stage for accountability . In the next session , the coachee updated on the options with evidence and was able to come to a conclusion that would have enabled him progress .

At the time of the coaching there was a restructure in the business , and he was uncertain about his future . As we continued with the coaching , he realized that now more than ever , the home was even more critical for his family . Within a few months he had established what actions were needed to restructure his finances and to raise funds for the land and building materials . construction started . Two years later he sent me pictures of his family home . His voice was confident as he narrated the journey to this point . While he had a loan that he was paying off , he was glad that he had achieved his lifelong dream .

It is said that coaching is the gift that keeps on giving . However sometimes the outcome can scare a coach . One of my coachee ’ s resigned from her job after coaching . Her decision disturbed me for a long time . I wondered if I erred somewhere in the coaching sessions . Three months after her resignation , she called me to thank me for getting clarity during the coaching session . She gained the courage to take on another role in another organization . I was filled with relief .

In conclusion , I invite you all to seek a coach . The journey of building a career presents both opportunities and challenges . A coach becomes the accountability partner and cheer leader that pushes you towards your goals despite the challenges . Therefore , embrace the journey of vulnerability and courage . Set ambitious goals and remain steadfast as you work through them even when the results are not quick .

Coaching gives you control to drive your destiny and to work on improving yourself as you navigate the challenges of leadership . Coaching is an invitation to give yourself a gift to gain clarity towards your most audacious goals . A coach ’ s pride is when a coachee , with determination and focus on the goal , finally achieves the impossible .

Taking up lateral roles builds skills and confidence that is needed when the job at the next level opens up . Hence the analogy of connecting the dots looking

The coaching process kept him on track despite the headwinds . Over a period of a year , he had made significant progress , land purchased , contractor identified , and

Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi is the Chief Consumer Business Officer , Safaricom PLC . You can commune with her on this or related matters on email at : Fawziakimanthi @ gmail . com .