What is the CIGAR Coaching Model?
The CIGAR coaching model is a five-stage framework that helps clients move from where they are now to where they want to be. Created by Suzy Green and Anthony Grant in 2003, it is used across business, executive, and personal development coaching for its clarity and built-in accountability.
Each letter stands for one stage of the coaching conversation:
| Letter | Stands for | What you explore |
|---|---|---|
| C | Current Reality | Where is the client right now? What are their strengths, challenges, and starting conditions? |
| I | Ideal | What does success look like? What outcome does the client want to achieve? |
| G | Gaps | What stands between the current reality and the ideal? Skills, habits, mindset, resources? |
| A | Action | What concrete steps will move the client closer to their goal? |
| R | Review | How will you measure progress? What needs adjusting along the way? |
Here is how the model plays out in practice:
- You explore your client’s current situation with curiosity, not judgment.
- You help them define what a successful outcome looks like for them specifically.
- You identify the gaps between those two states: the skills, habits, or obstacles in the way.
- You design a realistic action plan to close those gaps.
- You build in regular reviews to track progress and adapt the plan as needed.
Imagine an executive client who wants to move into a C-suite role. They might already be a strong leader but lack key skills such as deeper subject matter expertise, the ability to delegate effectively, or strategic foresight. As their coach, your role is to help them name those gaps, build a plan to develop missing skills, and hold them accountable as they progress.
By breaking a big goal into five clear steps, CIGAR makes it easier for clients to see where they are, what is missing, and what to do next.
Other popular coaching models include the GROW model, the CLEAR model, the ACHIEVE model, the OSCAR model, and the FUEL model. You can read about all of them in our detailed guide to coaching models.
Pro tip: Coaching models give you structure. Paperbell gives you a whole system. Use it to schedule sessions, manage contracts, and get paid on a single platform.
CIGAR vs. GROW: Which Coaching Model Should You Use?
GROW is the most widely used coaching framework, so coaches often compare it to CIGAR when choosing a session structure. Both models are goal-oriented and solution-focused, but they work slightly differently in practice.
| CIGAR | GROW | |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Current Reality, Ideal, Gaps, Action, Review | Goal, Reality, Options, Will (or Way Forward) |
| Order of exploration | Starts with current reality, then defines the ideal | Starts with the goal, then examines current reality |
| Best for | Clients who need help recognizing where they are before setting goals | Clients who already have a clear goal and need a path to it |
| Gap analysis | Explicit stage dedicated to identifying what is standing in the way | Explored through the Options stage, less structured |
| Review built in | Yes, as an explicit final stage | No, review is not a named stage |
| Key strength | Built-in accountability loop through the Review stage | Strong at broadening options and exploring possibilities |
| Session structure | Linear five-stage flow, works well across a full coaching program | Flexible, often used within a single session |
The biggest practical difference is where each model starts. GROW begins with the goal, which can be challenging for clients who are still figuring out what they want. CIGAR starts with the current reality, which can feel more grounding for clients who are overwhelmed or unclear on direction.
The other notable difference is the Review stage. CIGAR builds accountability into the framework by design. With GROW, tracking progress is left to the coach to add on top of the model.
Neither model is better in every situation. Many experienced coaches draw from both depending on the client and the session.
How to Use the CIGAR Coaching Model Effectively
To get the most out of CIGAR, guide your clients through each stage with curiosity and structure. Here is what each stage looks like in practice, with coaching questions to get you started.
1. Current Reality
Begin by exploring where your client is right now. The goal at this stage is not to problem-solve but to develop a clear, honest picture of their starting point, including their strengths, motivations, and what is already working.
- What is life or work like for you right now?
- What are you most proud of in your current situation?
- What is working well, and what is not?
- What does a typical day or week look like for you?
- What have you already tried?
2. Ideal
Next, help your client define what success looks like for them. This is not about setting a SMART goal on a whiteboard. It is about getting them to articulate a vision that is genuinely motivating and aligned with their values, not just what they think they “should” want.
- If things were exactly as you wanted them to be, what would that look like?
- What would you be doing differently six months from now?
- How would you know you had achieved your goal?
- What would change in how you feel day to day?
- What matters most to you about reaching this outcome?
3. Gaps
This stage is where the real coaching work often happens. Help your client name the distance between where they are and where they want to be. This includes concrete gaps like missing skills or resources, but also less visible barriers like limiting beliefs, habits, or patterns of thinking.
- What is getting in the way right now?
- What skills, knowledge, or resources are missing?
- What beliefs or assumptions might be holding you back?
- What have you tried before that has not worked, and why?
- If you imagine the path from here to your goal, where does it feel unclear or uncertain?
4. Action
Translate the insights from earlier stages into a clear, realistic plan. The action stage should feel collaborative: the client designs the steps, and you help them stress-test the plan for feasibility. Avoid prescribing what to do. Your job is to ask questions that help the client discover what they are actually willing to commit to.
- What is one step you could take this week?
- What resources or support do you need to move forward?
- What would make this plan feel manageable rather than overwhelming?
- What might get in the way, and how will you handle it?
- On a scale of 1-10, how committed do you feel to this plan? What would move that number up?
5. Review
Progress needs accountability. Build regular check-ins into your coaching program to celebrate wins, make adjustments, and keep momentum going. The Review stage is what separates CIGAR from less structured approaches: it closes the loop and keeps the action plan live rather than letting it gather dust between sessions.
- How has progress compared to what you expected?
- What has worked well since our last session?
- What has been more difficult than you anticipated?
- Does the original action plan still make sense, or does it need updating?
- What do you want to focus on moving forward?
Benefits of the CIGAR Coaching Model
Why choose CIGAR over another framework? Here are the key advantages coaches see when using this model.
1. Focus on Strengths
The CIGAR model highlights the client’s strengths and resources early, helping them feel more confident and capable. That confidence gives them the motivation to tackle the gaps identified later in the process.
Establishing the distance between current and desired reality also makes progress visible and measurable. When clients see concrete movement, they are far more likely to stay engaged.
As a real-life example: imagine you are a dating coach working with a shy client who wants to have meaningful conversations on dates. At first, they cannot start a conversation at all. A few weeks in, they manage to ask a few questions that spark real dialogue. That visible improvement, even though they are still far from their goal, gives them the momentum to keep going.
2. Collaborative Approach
CIGAR encourages genuine collaboration between coach and client. Goals and action steps are worked out together, which builds trust and gives clients a real sense of ownership over their growth. Clients who feel ownership are more likely to follow through.
3. Structure and Focus
CIGAR gives sessions a clear structure. Clients who tend to drift or struggle to stay focused benefit from a consistent process that keeps discussions aligned with their goals. The five stages act as a natural guide through the conversation without making it feel mechanical.
4. Regular Reviews and Feedback
The CIGAR model builds review directly into the framework, which keeps both coach and client accountable. Regular progress check-ins let you see whether the gap is closing, and they give you a structured moment to adjust the action plan as circumstances change.
This built-in feedback loop prevents roadblocks from going unnoticed for weeks at a time.
5. Tailored Strategies
CIGAR considers each client’s unique strengths and motivations, allowing you to design personalized plans rather than applying a generic approach. That personalization makes your coaching more effective and more valuable to the client.
6. Saves Time
Sessions led through CIGAR stay focused and productive. Because you are following a clear sequence, you can put your energy into spotting nuanced patterns in your client’s reality rather than figuring out where the conversation should go next.
When to Use the CIGAR Coaching Model
CIGAR is not the right fit for every situation. Here are the scenarios where it tends to work best:
- Clients with specific goals: CIGAR is ideal for clients who know what they want but are not sure how to get there, whether that is career development, health, relationships, or personal growth.
- Clients who need a custom plan: The model gives you flexibility to create strategies that work specifically for each client’s strengths, challenges, and motivations.
- Clients making significant changes: If a client wants to overhaul a major area of their life, CIGAR helps them map the distance between where they are and where they want to be, then take concrete steps to close that gap.
- Clients under high stress: Executives, entrepreneurs, or anyone under sustained pressure benefit from CIGAR’s structured process. It keeps goals attainable and feedback consistent, which helps clients stay focused without burning out in either individual or team coaching settings.
When NOT to Use the CIGAR Coaching Model
Knowing when a framework is the wrong tool is just as important as knowing how to use it. CIGAR has real strengths, but there are situations where another approach will serve your client better.
When the client does not yet have a goal
CIGAR works best when a client has some sense of what they want, even if it is vague. If a client comes to you in a state of deep confusion about their direction, spending time on the Ideal stage before they have clarity can feel frustrating rather than generative. In those cases, spending more time on exploratory questions before moving into a structured model may be more useful.
When emotions are the primary issue
CIGAR is a solution-focused, action-oriented model. It is not well suited to sessions where a client needs to process grief, trauma, or significant emotional distress. In those situations, a more person-centered, emotion-first approach is more appropriate, and it may be worth considering whether the client also needs therapeutic support alongside coaching.
When the situation is highly unpredictable
The Action and Review stages of CIGAR assume a relatively stable environment where a plan can be executed and progress measured. If your client is navigating rapid change or deep uncertainty (a company in crisis, a major life upheaval), then a more flexible, adaptive framework may be a better fit in the short term.
When a more exploratory conversation is what is needed
Sometimes the most valuable coaching session is one that does not follow a linear framework at all. If a client needs space to think out loud and explore without pressure to produce a plan, holding the structure too tightly can get in the way. CIGAR is a tool, not a rule.
Real-Life Situations Using the CIGAR Coaching Model
Here are examples of how CIGAR plays out across different client scenarios.
An Entrepreneur Facing Burnout
- Current reality: Overworked, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to delegate.
- Ideal: A sustainable business rhythm with clear priorities and more personal downtime.
- Gaps: Lack of boundaries, poor delegation habits, and no recovery time built into their schedule.
- Action: Redesign their weekly calendar, delegate two major responsibilities, and add non-negotiable rest blocks.
- Review: Check in monthly to see whether energy levels and business performance are improving.
A Client Rebuilding Confidence After a Breakup
- Current reality: Feeling hesitant to socialize and doubting their self-worth.
- Ideal: Comfortably attending social events, enjoying conversations, and being open to new relationships.
- Gaps: Fear of rejection, low confidence, and lack of recent social experience.
- Action: Start with one low-stakes social event, practice confidence exercises, and reflect on each interaction.
- Review: Track progress weekly, noting improvements in comfort level and self-perception.
A Professional Shifting Careers
- Current reality: Mid-level professional in an industry where automation has reduced their role, leaving them uncertain about long-term prospects.
- Ideal: Transitioning into a future-proof role that builds on existing expertise while developing new, in-demand skills.
- Gaps: Limited technical knowledge in emerging areas, low visibility in adjacent industries, and uncertainty about how to position transferable experience.
- Action: Complete two short upskilling courses, expand their professional network, and rewrite their CV to highlight adaptability and problem-solving.
- Review: Revisit progress after each step, adjusting based on what the job market is actually responding to.
A Client Working Toward Healthier Habits
- Current reality: Sedentary lifestyle, inconsistent eating patterns, and low energy.
- Ideal: Exercising three times per week, cooking balanced meals, and having more daily energy.
- Gaps: No established routine, lack of accountability, and limited knowledge about nutrition.
- Action: Start with two 20-minute workouts weekly, meal-prep once a week, and keep a food-and-energy journal.
- Review: Meet biweekly to evaluate routines and celebrate incremental wins.
A New Manager Building Leadership Confidence
- Current reality: Recently promoted into their first management role, technically strong but uncomfortable with conflict and team dynamics.
- Ideal: A manager who gives clear feedback, handles difficult conversations with confidence, and earns the trust of their team.
- Gaps: No prior experience managing people, tendency to avoid confrontation, and lack of a feedback framework.
- Action: Learn and practice a structured feedback model (such as SBI), have one difficult conversation per week, and debrief each with their coach.
- Review: Assess team engagement and the manager’s own confidence level monthly. Adjust focus areas as specific skills develop.
Focus on Guiding Clients, Not Admin
Structured frameworks like CIGAR help your clients make real progress. Paperbell handles everything else: scheduling, contracts, payments, client portals, and a ready-made coaching website, all in one place.
Try Paperbell for free and spend more time on the work that actually matters.
FAQs About the CIGAR Coaching Model
Is the CIGAR Coaching Model Worth Your Time?
CIGAR is a simple, structured coaching model that helps clients move from current reality to their goals. It is worth trying if you work with clients who need help bridging the gap between where they are and where they want to be. If it does not fit your style, our round-up of other coaching models offers several alternatives.
Are Other Coaching Models Superior to CIGAR?
Models like GROW or OSKAR can be more detailed or better suited to specific contexts. CIGAR stands out for its built-in Review stage and its strength-first approach, but other frameworks may give you more flexibility in complex or emotionally nuanced situations.
Can You Combine CIGAR With Other Coaching Models?
Yes. Many coaches use CIGAR as their primary session structure but borrow elements from other models when the situation calls for it. For example, you might use GROW’s Options stage alongside CIGAR’s Gap analysis when a client needs help generating creative solutions. The models are tools, not rules.
What Are Some Personal Experiences With the CIGAR Model?
Coaches who use CIGAR often value its simplicity, structure, and collaborative feel. The Review stage gets particular praise for keeping clients accountable between sessions. That said, each coach’s experience is different, so the best approach is to test it in a practice session first to see whether it suits your style.
Who Created the CIGAR Coaching Model?
The CIGAR model was created by Suzy Green and Anthony Grant in 2003. It grew out of solution-focused and positive psychology research and was designed to give coaches a practical, client-centered framework for structured conversations.
