Aims, Reality, Reflections, Options, Way forward

A useful coaching model for the busy grounds manager to help develop and motivate employees, being abbreviated to ARROW. It is an adaptation of the 4-stage GROW model, with the inclusion of the ‘Reflections’ stage.

1. Define a suitable aim for the coaching session.
2. Be realistic about expectations for the current situation and challenges encountered by the employee.
3. Spend time to reflect on the aim and the explored realities. Don’t rush this stage of the coaching session. Has something been missed, misunderstood, or misrepresented? Now is the time to reflect on these and make changes to the ‘Aim’ and ‘Reality’.
4. Identify a range of options which might be undertaken by the employee to address whatever the issue or issues are that have been identified.
5. Focus on choosing the most favoured route, i.e. the ‘Way forward’, to achieve the stated aim.