When working with clients to help them achieve personal or professional goals, business coaches rely on various coaching models to guide the process. Each model offers unique strengths and methodologies, tailored to different personalities and situations. In this guide, we’ll explore the most widely used business coaching models, detailing how you can implement them to support your clients effectively.

1. G.R.O.W Model

The GROW model, developed in the 1980s by Sir John Whitmore, Alan Fine, and Graham Alexander, is a popular framework for problem-solving and goal-setting. It is structured to guide both coaching sessions and a client’s day-to-day activities, making it versatile for short-term challenges and long-term goals.

G.R.O.W stands for:

  • Goal: Define what the client wants to achieve. The goal should be aligned with the SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).
  • Reality: Understand the current situation. Where is the client now in relation to their goal? Identify obstacles and challenges.
  • Options: Brainstorm potential strategies and solutions that can bridge the gap between the client’s reality and their goal.
  • Way Forward: Create an action plan, outlining the steps the client will take to achieve their goals.

Example:
A content creator sets a goal to increase revenue by 20% in six months through a subscription-based membership. The coach helps identify challenges, brainstorm strategies, and create a marketing plan to launch the service in stages.

2. S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting

The SMART goal-setting framework is essential in ensuring clients set goals that are achievable and measurable. Originating from the work of Gary Latham and Edwin Locke, this method helps clients remain focused and committed.

S.M.A.R.T stands for:

  • Specific: Clearly define the goal.
  • Measurable: Set criteria for tracking progress.
  • Attainable: Ensure the goal is realistic.
  • Relevant: Align the goal with broader objectives.
  • Time-bound: Set a deadline for achievement.

Example:
A freelance designer sets a SMART goal to gain five new clients for branding services within three months. With measurable outreach targets, the designer can track progress and stay motivated.

3. S.T.E.P.P.A Model

The STEPPA model, developed by Angus McLeod, focuses on emotional drivers behind behaviors. It’s particularly useful for clients dealing with emotional obstacles.

S.T.E.P.P.A stands for:

  • Subject: Define the focus of the session.
  • Target: Clarify the client's goal.
  • Emotion: Acknowledge emotions tied to the situation.
  • Perception: Consider the goal from a wider perspective.
  • Plan: Develop an actionable plan.
  • Act: Implement and adjust the plan as needed.

Example:
A CEO feels anxious about rebranding. The coach helps them acknowledge and process their fears, allowing them to proceed with a customer feedback-based rollout plan.

4. O.S.K.A.R Model

The OSKAR model, created by Paul Z Jackson and Mark McKergow, emphasizes solutions over problems. This solution-focused approach helps clients maintain forward momentum.

O.S.K.A.R stands for:

  • Outcome: Identify the goal.
  • Scale: Measure progress on a scale from 1 to 10.
  • Know-how: Determine the skills and resources needed.
  • Affirm/Action: Reinforce strengths and create action steps.
  • Review: Continuously evaluate progress.

Example:
A business owner struggling with declining sales sets a goal to increase sales by 15% in three months. With the coach's help, they revamp their website and launch ad campaigns, tracking sales performance regularly.

5. C.L.E.A.R Model

The CLEAR model, created by Peter Hawkins, is relationship-focused and designed to facilitate transformational change.

C.L.E.A.R stands for:

  • Contract: Establish the coaching relationship and goals.
  • Listen: Understand the client’s perspective.
  • Explore: Reflect on underlying beliefs.
  • Action: Develop a plan to achieve goals.
  • Review: Evaluate progress regularly.

Example:
A manager struggling with team communication works with the coach to introduce anonymous feedback mechanisms and one-on-one meetings, tracking improvements in team morale and communication.

6. F.U.E.L Model

The FUEL model is designed to improve performance by creating actionable steps that align with the client’s goals.

F.U.E.L stands for:

  • Frame the Conversation: Agree on the coaching purpose.
  • Understand the Current State: Assess current strengths and challenges.
  • Explore the Desired Goal: Define the goal using SMART criteria.
  • Lay Out the Plan: Create an actionable, measurable plan.

Example:
An agency owner looking to scale hires more team members and automates onboarding to reduce daily involvement, creating KPIs to measure progress toward their goal of increasing client acquisition by 30%.

7. A.C.E Model

The ACE model is built on three pillars: accountability, community, and opportunity. It helps clients unlock their potential by keeping them accountable and connected.

A.C.E stands for:

  • Accountability: Set expectations and track progress.
  • Community: Provide a support system.
  • Enhanced Opportunity: Encourage exploration of untapped potential.

Example:
An entrepreneur launching an online course is held accountable with deadlines and gains support from a mastermind group. The coach helps them see new opportunities like offering coaching alongside the course.

8. R.I.M Model

The RIM model emphasizes habit-building and long-term success through repetition, immersion, and modeling.

R.I.M stands for:

  • Repetition: Reinforce positive behaviors.
  • Immersion: Surround clients with success stories.
  • Modeling: Learn from successful examples.

Example:
A solopreneur feeling stagnant builds daily networking and content habits. Immersing in an entrepreneurial community, they model successful strategies to streamline their processes and regain momentum.

9. 5-E's Model

The 5E Model, originally developed for education, can be applied to business coaching to create a structured process that promotes active learning. This constructivist approach allows clients to gradually gain a deeper understanding of their goals and challenges.

5-E's stands for:

  • Engage – Capture the client’s interest and assess their current knowledge.
  • Explore – Encourage the client to experiment with new approaches.
  • Explain – Provide clarification and guidance on what they’ve learned.
  • Elaborate – Help the client apply their new knowledge in real-world scenarios.
  • Evaluate – Assess progress and reflect on next steps.

Scenario: A solopreneur looking to manage time better engages with the coach by discussing their current challenges, explores various productivity techniques, explains the results of their initial trials, elaborates by applying the best-suited methods, and evaluates progress in the next session.

10. 5-R's Model

The 5R Model is a coaching-specific framework that helps both the coach and client prepare for and reflect on each session effectively. It guides the conversation through a logical sequence of reflection, planning, and resourcing.

5R stands for:

  • Relate – Establish a personal connection and review the client’s well-being. (“How am I today? What has happened since our last session?”)
  • Review – Reflect on actions taken since the last session and evaluate successes or challenges. (“What actions did I take? What were the results?”)
  • Reflect – Analyze observations and learnings from recent experiences. (“What did I learn? What do I want to achieve in the next session?”)
  • Refocus – Set new goals or re-align the focus for the next phase of work. (“Where do I need to invest my efforts? What are my top 3 goals?”)
  • Resource – Determine what support, resources, or accountability is needed moving forward. (“What do I need from others? What do I need the coach to hold me accountable for?”)

For the coach, the 5R model encourages preparation for each session by reflecting on the client's previous performance and current needs, ensuring that every session is tailored to maximize impact.

Scenario: A business owner seeking guidance on team leadership sends an update before the session on their recent wins and challenges. During the session, they reflect on their leadership experiences, refocus on new goals, and identify the resources needed to achieve them.

Conclusion

Each coaching model offers unique benefits, and selecting the right one depends on your client’s needs, goals, and challenges. By mastering these frameworks, you can structure coaching sessions that help your clients achieve personal growth, business success, and goal completion. Whether using GROW for goal-setting or STEPPA for emotional obstacles, these models will enhance your coaching effectiveness and client satisfaction.

By applying these coaching models, you’ll equip your clients with the tools they need to succeed in their professional and personal lives.