Coaching Models for Entrepreneurs: Choose the Right Fit
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Aug 10, 2024
- 9 min read
Beyond the Buzzwords: Demystifying Common Coaching Models (Like GROW) to Empower Your Choice of the Right Business Growth Partner
Ever feel like you’re wading through a maze of business coaches, all promising the moon & speaking a language filled with acronyms & jargon that leaves you more confused than confident? If you’ve ever scrolled through social media & seen terms like "GROW model," "transformational coaching," or "strategic intervention" whizz by, and felt a wave of "what on earth does that actually mean for me & my business?" – you are absolutely not alone, lovely.
As a busy female entrepreneur, very often a mum juggling a million & one things (I’m right there with you, usually with a toddler trying to "help" with my PhD notes or one of my Miniature Pinschers, Espresso, deciding my keyboard is a new dance floor!), your time, energy, & money are precious. You don’t have bandwidth for buzzwords; you need clarity, real support, & tangible results.
That’s exactly why I wanted to pull back the curtain on some of these common coaching models & styles. Not to give you an academic lecture (trust me, as a PhD student, I get enough of those!), but to empower you. Because understanding the landscape helps you make informed choices, ensuring you partner with someone who genuinely gets your vision, your stage of business – whether you're a Foundation Builder just laying the groundwork or a Scaling Leader ready for serious growth – & crucially, your multifaceted life.
Why Bother Understanding Coaching Models, Anyway?
I know what you might be thinking. "Carlene, I just want someone to help me grow my business! Do I really need to know the theory behind it?" & that’s a fair question. My answer? A resounding YES, & here’s why:
Clarity Over Confusion: Let's be honest, the coaching world can feel like a crowded marketplace sometimes. Understanding a few basic models helps you cut through the noise. It equips you to ask smarter questions & understand what a coach is actually offering beyond the slick marketing. This is about you feeling equipped, not overwhelmed. I remember my own educational journey; I thrived when I finally found an environment at the University of East London that clicked with how I learned & what I needed. It's the same with coaching – the "fit" is everything. It took me ages at the start of my own journey to even understand how the different models work - honestly, I felt like I needed a Rosetta Stone!
Models as Tools for Your Goals: Think of these models as different toolkits. Some are great for setting clear goals & action plans (hello, Focus!). Others might be more about deep mindset shifts or developing specific skills. Knowing the basics helps you identify what kind of "toolkit" will best help you achieve that crystal-clear vision for your business, build sustainable momentum so things feel less like a constant uphill battle, & nurture your own energy so you can actually enjoy the journey.
Informed Choices Save Precious Resources: As ambitious women, often juggling family life (those 12-13 weeks of school holidays are no joke!), every investment of time & money counts. A little knowledge here can save you a lot of heartache (and cash!) by helping you choose a coaching partner who truly understands your unique challenges & aspirations. It’s about ensuring your investment leads to real results & supports your overall well-being, making sure your business energises rather than drains you.
Empowerment Through Understanding: At Femmeprenista, we champion personal responsibility. By understanding these frameworks, you’re taking ownership of your growth journey. You're actively choosing support that resonates with your values & how you want to build your business, rather than passively accepting a one-size-fits-all approach. You’re in the driver’s seat.
Let's Cut Through the Jargon: Common Coaching Models Explained Simply
Okay, deep breath! This isn't going to be a stuffy textbook chapter. Think of this as a friendly chat, breaking down a few common terms you might encounter.
The GROW Model: A Popular Starting Point
You’ll hear this one a lot. GROW is an acronym, & it’s a pretty straightforward & effective framework, often used as a foundation in many coaching practices. It stands for:
G – Goal: What do you want to achieve? This is all about getting super clear on your desired outcome for a specific session, or a larger business objective. It’s about defining that North Star with precision.
R – Reality: Where are you now in relation to that goal? This stage involves an honest look at your current situation – what’s working, what’s not, what challenges are you facing, & what resources do you have?
O – Options (or Obstacles): What could you do? What are all the possible paths, strategies, or actions you could take to reach your goal? This stage also explores any obstacles (internal or external) that might be standing in your way.
W – Will (or Way Forward/Wrap-up): What will you do? This is where commitment happens. You choose specific actions, decide on timelines, & identify how you’ll hold yourself accountable. It’s about creating a concrete plan.
Why it’s useful: The GROW model provides a clear structure for problem-solving & goal achievement. It’s fantastic for helping you gain clarity, explore possibilities, & create actionable steps. It really helps you sharpen your focus & map out a path forward.
Other Coaching Styles You Might Encounter
Beyond specific models like GROW, coaches often have overarching styles. Here are a few broad categories:
Directive Coaching: This coach is more likely to give advice, share their opinions, & offer direct solutions based on their expertise. Think of them as a mentor who also coaches. This can be great if you’re looking for specific "how-to" guidance in an area where the coach has proven experience.
Non-Directive Coaching: This style is more about asking powerful questions to help you uncover your own answers & solutions. The coach acts as a facilitator, believing you hold the wisdom within. This is brilliant for developing self-awareness, problem-solving skills, & personal responsibility.
Transformational Coaching: This goes deeper than just actions & goals. It often focuses on mindset, beliefs, values, & identity. The aim is to create profound shifts in how you see yourself & the world, leading to lasting change in your business & life. This is where you really work on cultivating that unshakeable self-belief.
Skills-Based Coaching: This is targeted coaching to help you develop specific skills, like public speaking, sales techniques, or leadership capabilities. It’s very practical & outcome-focused.
Holistic Coaching: This approach (& one we deeply believe in at Femmeprenista) looks at you & your business as a whole, interconnected system. It considers your well-being, your personal life, your energy levels, your mindset, your marketing, & your systems, understanding that all these elements impact your success. It’s about building a business that truly supports the life you want to live.
Understanding these models can help you define what you need. To see how Femmeprenista offers holistic support tailored to female entrepreneurs, read about our mission to help you find your purpose & flourish.
Beyond the Model: What REALLY Matters When Choosing a Coach?
Now, here’s the thing: while knowing about these models is helpful, a coach’s chosen methodology is only one piece of the puzzle. I’ve seen incredibly effective coaches who use a blend of styles, & I’ve seen others who stick rigidly to one model but lack something crucial. I'll be honest, I even chose a coach early on based purely on their impressive credentials, only to find their style completely clashed with my own need for a more empathetic, intuitive approach. I needed someone who'd hold space for the "beautiful chaos" of my life, not just assign tasks - a valuable, albeit expensive, lesson!
From my years in business, my MBA studies, & my ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship, I’ve learned that the application & the person are often more important than the specific label of the model they use. So, what truly matters?
Alignment with Your Stage & Goals
Are you a Foundation Builder needing help to validate your idea, define your niche, & land your first clients? Or are you a Scaling Leader looking to build robust systems, attract premium clients, & perhaps build a team? The support you need will be vastly different. For example, a Foundation Builder might benefit most from a directive coach who can provide concrete steps for setting up their online presence, while a Scaling Leader may be better suited to a non-directive coach who can help them develop their leadership skills.Similarly, a skills-based coach specializing in sales funnels might be ideal for a Launch Programme graduate ready to scale, whereas a transformational coach could be more beneficial for an Ascend candidate needing to level up their mindset for visionary leadership. A great coach for one stage might not be the right fit for another. Ensure their expertise aligns with where you are & where you want to go.
Resonance with Their Overall Approach
Do they focus purely on strategy, or do they incorporate mindset work? Is their approach high-energy & fast-paced, or more reflective & paced? Do they champion "hustle culture" (something we actively steer clear of!), or do they advocate for sustainable, balanced growth? You need an approach that feels right for you & helps you build your business in a way that aligns with your core values. This is where understanding how to build efficient systems, perhaps even leveraging smart AI tools to streamline your processes, becomes so important, freeing you up to focus on what truly matters. At Femmeprenista, we leverage AI-powered tools for market research, content creation, & lead generation, freeing up our clients to focus on their core strengths.
The Human Connection: Trust, Empathy & Being Seen
This is huge. You need to feel safe, understood, & genuinely supported by your coach. Do you trust them? Do they “get” you? Can you be vulnerable with them? A coaching relationship is a partnership. Without that fundamental human connection, even the best model in the world will fall flat. I always say, I’m a Gemini, so I’m naturally curious, & I love to ask questions – but that curiosity has to be paired with genuine empathy to build a strong coaching relationship.
Understanding Your Whole Life (Especially for Us Mums!)
If you’re a mother, you know your business doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s woven into the beautiful chaos of family life. Does your potential coach understand the realities of school runs, toddler tantrums during client calls (hypothetically, of course, as we always aim for child-free client time!), & the constant mental load? Finding someone who appreciates the importance of prioritising your well-being & helps you build a business that energises rather than drains you, is absolutely key. It’s not about finding someone who just says "I get it," but someone whose strategies & approach actively make space for your whole life.
How Knowledge Empowers Your Choice
So, you see, understanding these buzzwords isn’t about becoming a coaching expert yourself. It’s about empowerment.
You take personal responsibility: Armed with this knowledge, you’re no longer just picking a coach based on a flashy sales page. You’re actively engaging in the process, asking targeted questions, & owning your decision.
You make informed investments: You can better assess if a coach’s offerings are truly aligned with your needs & goals, ensuring your hard-earned money is well spent.
You avoid the "one-size-fits-all" trap: You recognise that different models & styles suit different people & different objectives. You can seek out support that is tailored to your unique journey.
This knowledge allows you to choose a growth partner who will not just cheer you on, but strategically guide you, challenge you (in a good way!), & help you build not just a successful business, but a fulfilling one.
To demonstrate the impact of personal responsibility, take Sarah, a client who initially felt overwhelmed by tech challenges. Instead of blaming external factors, she actively sought AI solutions we integrated through our Fusion pillar to streamline her systems, leading to a 30% increase in efficiency within a month.
As a Foundation Builder herself, Mary felt overwhelmed and like all coaches were speaking a different language. However, after learning some key questions to ask about the support they provide, Mary secured a coach who understood exactly what she needed!
Femmeprenista’s Approach: A Holistic Framework for Your Flourishing
At Femmeprenista, while we draw on established coaching principles & evidence-based strategies (my MBA & ongoing PhD research certainly inform our approach!), we believe true, sustainable success for female entrepreneurs requires something more integrated.
That’s why we developed our own unique Business Flourish Framework. This framework is designed to support your growth across all critical areas of your business & life. It’s built on five interconnected pillars:
Sharpening your mindset, gaining clarity on your vision, building resilience, & overcoming limiting beliefs.
Developing authentic branding & marketing that genuinely connects with your ideal clients & makes you stand out.
Implementing streamlined, efficient systems & processes (including smart AI integration!) to create momentum & reclaim your precious time.
Prioritising your well-being, energy, & passion so you can perform at your best without burning out.
Strategically weaving Artificial Intelligence throughout your business to amplify your efforts & work smarter, not harder.
We understand that simply applying a generic model isn't enough. The true magic happens when these principles are tailored to your specific business, your personality, & your life. Our framework provides that holistic, personalised roadmap, helping you build a business that not only thrives financially but also deeply aligns with your values & allows you to live a life you genuinely love.
Choosing Your Partner in Growth
Ultimately, choosing a business coach is a deeply personal decision. There’s no single "right" answer or "best" model. The best approach for you is the one that empowers you, gets you results, & feels genuinely aligned.
By demystifying some of these common terms, my hope is that you feel more confident & equipped to navigate your options. Remember, knowledge is power – & in this case, it’s the power to choose a business growth partner who will truly help you flourish.
You’ve got this. 👍
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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