CLEAR Model

What is the CLEAR model?

The CLEAR model is a coaching framework built around five stages: Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action, and Review. Developed by Peter Hawkins, it structures a coaching conversation from setting up the session through to reflecting on it, with a strong emphasis on the coaching relationship and on emotional as well as practical exploration.

Like the GROW model, it gives coaches and managers a repeatable structure, while placing more weight on contracting and review.

Why the CLEAR model matters

By starting with contracting and ending with review, CLEAR builds in clarity at the front and learning at the end, two things conversations often skip. Its emphasis on listening and deeper exploration suits situations that involve emotion or complexity, not just goal-setting, which makes it a useful complement to more goal-focused frameworks.

The five stages

• Contracting. Agree the focus, outcomes, and how you will work together.
• Listening. Use active listening to understand the situation fully.
• Exploring. Examine the situation and its impact, including feelings and options.
• Action. Agree concrete steps forward.
• Review. Reflect on the conversation and the progress made.

CLEAR vs GROW

Both are respected coaching frameworks. GROW is simple and goal-led, ideal for quick, focused conversations. CLEAR is slightly broader, with explicit contracting and review stages and more attention to the relationship and to exploration, which can suit deeper or more sensitive work. Many coaches use both, choosing by situation.

Related terms

• GROW Model
• Coaching Agreement
• Coaching Presence
• Active Listening

Structured coaching, human depth

Coachello’s coaches draw on frameworks like CLEAR and GROW to run conversations that are both structured and genuinely human, matched to what each person needs.

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