Key takeaways:
- The burning question to ask yourself
- What does it mean to be coachable?
- 5 easy tips to be more coachable
- Take a cue from the sports world
- Looking ahead…
Maybe you’re a coach reading this right now. Or a consultant. Thought leader. Or perhaps you wear all three hats!
You’re used to playing the coach role as you guide your clients to meet their goals and achieve higher levels of success in their career, life, or both.
But have you ever stopped to ask:
How Coachable Am I?
An honest answer to that question can be challenging.
You might be wondering why it matters whether or not you’re “coachable.”
The WHY is simple: to perform at your best, (and that includes the ability to scale and grow your business) you need support from a strong team of experts.
If you want to enjoy the best results of any professional relationship, you need to be open and coachable too – just like your own best clients.
What Does it Mean to Be Coachable?
A Forbes article sums up exactly what it means to be coachable:
“A person who is coachable not only responds well when given feedback, they ask for feedback. They view the input from others as a valuable tool in their development. They also are willing to take actions and make personal changes based on the feedback.”
Those attributes describe your own ideal client, right?
You know how difficult (if not impossible) it is to work with someone who bristles at feedback, isn’t open to input, or is unwilling to step up to the plate and take action.
Don’t be that person. Try incorporating the following tips into your own life and see the positive impacts…
5 Easy Tips to Be More Coachable
1) Set realistic expectations. Everyone wants to enjoy a successful outcome. To avoid disappointment (or worse, a total derailment), ensure your plans are actually attainable. Remember how easy it is to become over-enthused – we all know people who push full steam ahead only to become scattered in a million different directions. Too often, the zeal fizzles out before the task is even finished.
2) Acknowledge the good stuff. How easy it is to overlook the small victories – in business and in life. Yet soft skills like positive reinforcement not only feel good but keep the flames of motivation burning bright. Think about that favorite teacher or coach you had when you were young. When you heard them say “Great job!”, it made you want to perform even better, right? Never underestimate the power of a supportive nod.
3) Quit micromanaging! We’ve all heard the age-old mantra, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Trouble is, if you’re set on doing everything on your own, how can you expect to scale and grow? Give yourself permission to let go. Have confidence in others – keep this mindset and watch the positive results unfold.
4) Be clear about responsibilities. One of the top enemies of successful product completion is ambiguity. Without clear directives, no one can give their best. A sharpened focus builds strong team alignment, which in turn encourages accountability.
Pro tip: Try an online task management program to bring your team together. Brainstorm with your team to see how you can incorporate automation to increase productivity and efficiency.
5) Ask for feedback. Want to advance further? Whether you want to solve a problem, grow your business, or collaborate better with your team, being open to feedback is a game changer. Be respectful of the opinions and expertise of those you are requesting advice or support from. You know how great it feels when someone values your expertise – show the same regard for others, too.
Self-Reflect to Foster Greater Improvements
Lastly, take a cue from the sports world – don’t just say it, show it! When a coach is out looking for talent, he isn’t just observing athletic performance. What happens on the sidelines may be just as important as what happens on the field. A good coach carefully observes athletes off the playing field, too.
Take a few minutes out to self-reflect. Observe your behavior over the course of a day and ask:
- What does my attitude say about me?
- Am I supportive of my team?
- When faced with feedback (or outright criticism), how do I react?
- How well do I communicate with others?
- Do I listen to others with respect and intent?
Leverage the reflections you gain to cultivate an entire culture of coachability – a win-win for all involved!
In the words of Pat Riley, “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”
How can we help you achieve your vision of excellence? Whether you need a digital marketing strategy or the automation to help your business hum, our team is here for you! Schedule a complimentary consultation today.
