Project Management Coaches

Project Management Coaches - Using the GROW Model for Teams (1)

The challenge of leadership can pose difficulties for project managers. The diversity of teams provides a unique opportunity for project managers to double as project management coaches, team member and cheerleader. The GROW model is a great resource for aiding project management coaches as they lead their teams to success. The GROW model is a goal oriented paradigm for organizing team objectives and identifying and achieving set goals.

GROW is an acronym for Goal - Current Reality - Options - Will. For project management coaches, it is a powerful tool. Teams can use the GROW model as a map for achieving their goals, both individual and team. It allows team members to identify their goals, see where they are currently, explore the various options for achieving the goal and establishing the will to meet that goal. It opens a dialogue between team members and coach so that they can examine possible obstacles and prepare for them.

The project management coach’s role in the GROW model not in an expert capacity. Instead, the coach is more of a facilitator, objective and neutral. It is important that the coach not influence the team members or steer them into a particular direction, but instead acts as a guide, keeping everyone on track. It is the job of the coach to help the team choose the best options and work out any conflicts. It is important that the team members work out issues on their own.