Hi there,

Happy New Year! We’re back for another year of quick and practical leadership lessons to help you get ahead as a leader. And we are starting with a hugely valuable skillset.

Ever found yourself in this situation?

A team member rushes over with an urgent issue, and before you know it, you're knee-deep in solving their problem, despite your already packed schedule. Or maybe you've sat through those circular team discussions where problems get talked about but never actually solved?

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

Here's the thing - most leaders jump straight into problem-solving mode, getting heavily involved and trying to make all the decisions themselves. But the most effective leaders take a different approach. They're more like football managers, coaching from the sidelines rather than playing on the field.

Today, I want to share a simple but effective framework that will transform how you handle these situations: the GROW model. You may be aware of it as a coaching framework, but it can do so much more.

The GROW Framework: Your New Problem-Solving Superpower 🦸

GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will (or Way Forward). It's beautifully simple yet incredibly powerful. Here's how it works:

• Goal: Start by getting crystal clear on what success looks like. What exactly are you trying to achieve?
• Reality: Assess your current situation honestly. What's working? What isn't? This is where you gather all the facts and perspectives.
• Options: Explore multiple solutions - don't jump at the first idea. Get creative and consider different approaches.
• Will/Way Forward: Create a clear action plan using the "Start, Stop, Continue" approach to ensure it's realistic and achievable.

The beauty of GROW is its versatility. It’s the one size fits all of problem solving. You can use it for:

• One-on-one problem-solving conversations
• Team meetings and workshops
• Project planning
• Resolving conflict and disagreements
• Strategic decision-making

The best leaders use GROW to help the facilitate and guide the conversation. The benefits? They're enormous.

• Your team becomes more self-sufficient
• Problems get solved faster and more effectively
• Innovation flourishes as team members feel empowered to contribute
• Your stress levels decrease (goodbye to that feeling you should know the answer to everything!)

Want to see exactly how to put this into practice? I've created a detailed video walking you through each step, complete with real-world examples and specific questions you can use immediately. Plus, there's a free PDF guide to help you implement everything you learn 👇

From Manager to Coach: Coaching Guide

In the guide you will learn:

Why coaching is such a valuable skill for any manager and leader

The GROW Coaching Framework, which provides a structure for effective coaching conversations.

New techniques for solving problems within your team.

Questions and prompts for each stage of the GROW model to help you lead and navigate these conversations.

8-week action plan to help you put it into action as you do your day-to-day job.

​Click here to get your copy​

That's it for this week. If you have any questions or comments just hit reply as I'm right here! It's just me and my laptop.

Let me know if there are any challenges you face, that you would like toes a video on to help you.

Take care,

Helen

​ Want to work together? ​Manager OS Course - Reclaim Your Time & Accelerate Your Career with Manager OS - A Proven System to Help Managers Lead with Confidence & Ease Work with me 1:1 - Book a coaching session​ ​The Leadership Vault: Your Private Access to Every Issue. Every strategy, tip, and lesson shared in past newsletters—now available in one place. Stay ahead, stay informed, and lead smarter. ​Visit my website to find out more. ​

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