Being Coachable

One question people ask me frequently is:

"What sort of people get the most out of coaching?"

This question is a challenging question to answer and depends on the person. So many times, I have been conversing with people who think things are static until they mention a compelling insight that led to a major decision. In other words,?it depends.

I have thought a lot about this question as I have gotten more coaching experience, and the word that comes to mind is "curiosity and themselves". The most curious people approach coaching with less judgement, increased bravery and more energy.?

With this question in mind, I came across the book "Becoming Coachable: Unleashing the Power of Executive to Transform Your Leadership and Life" and became curious.?

I remember thinking

"Being Coachable, now this is an interesting concept", and I became very curious.

There are a lot of books out there about how to be a better coach, but few that discuss how to be a better "thinker" (the term I use for persons I have coaching conversations with).?

I listened to an interview with the authors Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane (the third author Marshall Goldsmith, did not participate) with Dr. Gary Crotaz on his?podcast "The Unlock Moment"?which I found very enjoyable and valuable.?

The authors outline a few things they found to be coachable:

??Self-awareness, being open to change:?Acknowledging blind spots and weak spots requires openness to feedback from others. Self-awareness involves stepping outside one's comfort zone and examining one's actions honestly and objectively.

??Vulnerability, being open to feedback:?Vulnerability can feel uncomfortable, but it is a prerequisite for growing, learning, and connecting with others on a deep level.?

"Vulnerability is not a weakness but a courageous act of self-reflection, and, more often, the act of others reflecting how we occur to them,"

??Taking action:?Taking action to address blind spots and untapped potential requires commitment, discipline, and a willingness to push past fear and resistance.

?Being accountable:?Taking ownership of our actions, decisions, and their outcomes means not making excuses or blaming others for our failures or shortcomings. Instead, accept responsibility, learn from mistakes, and make amends when necessary.

As I read this list, I realised that "curiosity about yourself" allows all these behaviours to occur, it also gave me a whole new set of words to describe "Coachability"?

The final quote from Jacquelyn Lane summed it up for me.?

What does it take to become coachable?

"Humility to recognise the need and confidence to engage fully in the coaching process."

This book is next up on my reading list. More to come

Content I am engaging with:

01

Artist: Barbara Strigle

Architecture, Collage and Photography. All of my favourite things.

02

I have been listening to Krista Tippets "On Being" podcast for some time. The concepts she explores through her interviews are delicate and powerful. In this talk she offers three practices to help you make sense of what it means to be human right now — and how to live in a way that helps remake the world for the better.

? Social change.

? Personal growth.

? Humanity.

? Mindfulness

3 practices for wisdom and wholeness

03

Many famous persons that were extremely productive followed a strategy of intense work then rest. One of the benefits of this laid-back approach to friction is that it makes room for failure. It accepts that we can’t always produce at peak productivity, and that highs will be separated by lows. Modern theories of learning and development acknowledge that progress is impossible without challenge, which in turn means you’ll have to fail before you can succeed.?

Good read.

To be successful, you need to fail 16% of the time

04

The first column from Oliver Burkeman from the Guardian is one that I return to frequently. It always gives me something new to reflect over.

eight secrets to a (fairly) fulfilled life

05

Enjoying some incredibly complex and powerful piano from Hania Rani

That is all for now.

Be kind to yourselves; you are awesome and doing great.