It’s not a new question. It’s asked about Athletes. It’s asked about Actors. Without a response of yes, natural, born-with-it talent will only get you so far.
It is an essential success mindset for actors and athletes. Without it, actors get fired, and athletes can’t keep up.
Great value is placed on people who are coachable. The talent element is assumed and with the label “coachable” comes the possibility of even greater performance. Coachable talent listens to and applies feedback, is easy to work with, and is open to the risk of trying new things. They seem tuned into the distinct difference between trying and immediately or definitively adopting the new ideas. They are willing to try a new move or a new direction and then decide if it is effective. If it is, they may keep it or may still choose to try other options. If not, they toss it. And none of this comes close to having them question their talent. Instead, it is part of the process of having talent and keeping the development going.
Excellence is tied to exploring and learning new techniques or variations on a technique. Each of us can always get better.
As a communication coaching company we have seen the answer to this question greatly impact progress, success, promotions, and the ability to thrive.
Coachability in Communication & Presentation?
Is there a negative connotation to coaching in business – something wrong that needs to be fixed vs. the philosophy of continual improvement and a need for new skills at new levels? Why would skill development in communication and presentation be any different from another skill set? Why would we seek out a golf coach no problem, but for our job, communication, or presentation skills, we feel wary and maybe even threatened?
Maybe things are working for you, perhaps even really well. To get to the next level or maintain in this swiftly changing business arena, you realize you need to up your skills. Coaching support seems like a good choice. And then hesitation happens – questioning, rescheduling, nervousness, excuses. Why?
We often think we are coachable – open to improvement and learning – but are we really?
Receiving coaching often means being willing to slough off a well-worn and often comfortable approach and step into trying something new. Being willing to try a new approach, consider a new frame of mind, and develop new patterns/habits can feel extremely awkward and challenging.
Are you willing to be available?
Are you willing to acknowledge that there may be some approaches/habits that are no longer effective based on your current goals?
Are you willing to own and develop your unique strengths to become more effective and, yes, powerful?
Are you willing to risk something new, despite the discomfort of change?
Many people speak of wanting to get better, and yet block coachable information. They say yes with their heads, but their hearts stay behind; blocked, stuck, safe.
I have been there. I’ve found myself feeling that I needed to adjust my management skills, get important input on how I was coming across – and yet I found myself wrestling with reasons for not doing things differently. And we’ve had clients and students who have been there. We all signed up for a class or coaching. We show up. And then we erupt with all the defenses and excuses and reasons why it is the way it is and why it works that way. Or even if it doesn’t work that way, why the fact that it doesn’t work is worth defending. And then there is the complete switch of topic and before we know it we have moved all discussion away from self, back onto the coach or any other external factor. We can be quite skilled at dodging good ideas that move us out of our comfort zone!
Our own learning and growth can have more to do with our own attitude than the specific coach – this coming from someone who runs a whole company of coaches, by the way.
As teachers and coaches, we have become acutely aware of our own coachable mind set and that of the clients with whom we work. We experience a direct correlation between those who seek coaching, dive in, and willingly open up to experience it, and their success.
They feel no threat to their skill and awesomeness by getting coached.
You need both:
It helps to be both humble and confident.
Humble enough to know that there might be a better, easier, more effective way to do something – even if you have been successful.
Confident enough to risk trying new things, and know yourself well enough to know whether or not they fit.
And finally, you have to be willing to make a commitment to changing habits and doing things a new way.
The Starting Point is Awareness
Signs you are coachable:
- Thinking, “ that was good, but it could be better.”
- Observing others and asking, “how can I incorporate some of that in my style”
- Seeking out mentors
- Being excited by opportunities to learn
- Seeing constant teachable moments and feeling you can learn from everyone
- Realizing there is much you don’t know
Signs you aren’t coachable
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- Do you have a reason why every suggestion does not pertain to what you are doing?
- Do you find you get angry when getting coached- ok, you may call it something else (“irritated, impatient, defensive, etc”)
- Do you sign up for coaching and then never show up – literally or figuratively.
- Do you feel like everyone is wrong?
- Can you easily tell what others need to work on, but not yourself?
Coachable is the difference between success — and not so much. Coachable allows you to have a sustained career or run – and not burn out on the flames of first ignition. Coaching is the difference between “that was ok” and “that was amazing.”
Don’t settle for status quo; Soar to excellence.
Hilary Blair is a leadership keynote speaker based out of Denver, CO, and is the co-founder of ARTiculate: Real & Clear. She is also a highly regarded, actor, improviser, facilitator, voice-over artist, and voice expert coach. Contact us today to learn more.
