Are You Coachable?

One of the goals of most leaders is to determine how to effectively coach. Some will attend training to learn more about coaching, others will read books and many will become better coaches through consistent practice with their teams. Leaders understand that coaching is not a one-time event, but an ongoing tactic that determines engagement, and performance. As a leader, have you ever asked yourself, “Am I coachable?"

In order to be coachable, you have to be open to ideas about what you are doing. Asking whether you are coachable may guide you to a more effective plan of action and can help you reflect and be forward-thinking. Those who won’t solicit feedback will not receive the objective input needed to make changes that will allow them to grow.

Steps to becoming more coachable:

1. Choose a stretch goal
2. Choose a coach and determine what sort of feedback will be most valuable
3. Work with your coach to get feedback along the way
4. Make a plan for follow-up and action
5. Commit to the plan

Choosing a coach can be challenging for leaders who are used to autonomy; remember that the coach’s role is to act as a nonjudgmental, strategic business partner. He or she provides guidance based on past experiences as well as aids application of new or improved competencies.

Today’s constantly changing marketplace requires all of us to be more adaptable. The days of doing things like we have always done them are over. Each level of employee, regardless of organization, needs to be willing to collaborate not only in their work but willing to collaborate on objectives and behaviors and therefore be open to coaching.