As a leader, you can pour money into leadership development training and executive coaching, but if you’re not coachable as a leader, it’s not going to make the difference you’re looking for. It takes more than a financial investment. It requires you to be coachable.
What does it mean to be coachable as a leader?
The Learner’s Dictionary defines the word ‘”coachable” as “capable of being easily taught and trained to do something better”. As a leader, this can be challenging. You probably want your team and staff to be coachable, but it’s not as easy to think about being coachable yourself.
However, it’s an important quality for being a strong leader.
You can invest finances into things like executive coaching and leadership development training, but if you aren’t willing to be taught and learn a different way to do things, it’s not going to matter. But it’s easy to let pride get in the way.
As a leader, people look to you for the answers. You may feel that because of that you always have to look like you know the answers and exactly what you should be doing. This can make it hard to admit when you need help. But Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”.
Don’t let pride get in your way of being the best leader you can be.
Being coachable might not come easy to you. But thankfully it’s something that can be learned. Here are 5 simple tips that can help you be more coachable:
1. Learn to welcome feedback and stop making excuses
Changing the way that you think about feedback can really help you to be more coachable. If you view constructive criticism and feedback as an attack on your abilities as a leader, you’ll probably spend time being defensive instead of learning. If you work with a business coach, but defend yourself every time they provide you with feedback, you’re missing the point.
Instead of viewing feedback and suggestions through the lens of what you’re doing wrong, view it as an opportunity to build upon your current skills and improve. Everyone has room for growth. But if you refuse to acknowledge that there are areas you need to grow in, it doesn’t matter how much money you spend on coaching and training, you won’t see the growth you’re looking for.
Try to shift your focus to being growth minded. Becoming aware of areas where you could improve is just another opportunity to grow yourself and your business. This helps you to view feedback and constructive criticism as a good thing instead of a threat.
2. Play an active role in your coaching
For business coaching to be successful, it requires your participation. Don’t feel that you just have to listen to the coach. Talk with them. Ask lots of questions. If you don’t understand something, toss pride to the side and ask for your coach to explain it to you.
And take action. All the knowledge in the world doesn’t matter if you aren’t taking action. Try things and talk to your coach about what’s working and what’s not. You really need to “help them help you”. The more you focus on working together with your coach, the better changes you’ll see.
3. Be prepared for coaching sessions
You’re wasting your time and your coach’s time if you show up unprepared to your coaching sessions. If you aren’t going to make the time to do the work that you’re supposed to be doing between coaching sessions, then you aren’t going to see the ROI that you want. Take time to implement the things that you’re learning each time you meet.
Before your appointment, make a list of any questions that you have for your coach. Write out what challenges you faced and what went well. Be ready to share your experiences, struggles, and to ask questions. And show up on time for your sessions. If it’s a virtual meeting, click on the link 5 minutes before your appointment time so you’re ready and waiting when your coach arrives.
Be excited for your sessions. Each one you have is helping you grow as a leader and move in the direction you want your life and business to go. Do not try to multi-task during your appointments (just because it’s a virtual meeting doesn’t mean you should be checking your emails on another tab while your coach talks).
4. Use good communication
Remember that your coach is not a mind reader. If you aren’t willing to tell them something, they aren’t going to know it. Good communication skills are crucial for leaders. It’s important that you know how to communicate with the people around you, including your coach.
If you feel that the coaching isn’t working for you, be willing to communicate that to your coach. Open and honest communication is important in ALL healthy relationships, including with your coach. When you communicate your concerns, it allows you and your coach to address them together.
5. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
SPEARity CEO, Darren Fisher, has created plenty of blog posts and videos talking about the importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. If you’re not willing to step out of your comfort zone, it’s going to be difficult to grow.
Your brain naturally wants to do things that are easy and comfortable. It allows your brain to use the least amount of calories possible. Your brain’s job is to be as efficient as possible. If you want to step out of your comfort zone and grow as a leader, you’re going to have to intentional about embracing uncomfortable situations.
It may be uncomfortable to reach out to SPEARity to set up your first appointment with a business coach. But if you allow that to dictate your actions, you’re going to struggle on your own to grow. If you embrace that feeling of discomfort and contact us anyway, you’re going to set yourself on a growth plan that you may not be able to reach on your own.
If you’re ready to grow as a leader, a SPEARity business coach can help. Explore your options today.
