Are You Coachable?

A key factor we look for when evaluating a potential client is their level of “coachability.” Meaning, how willing is a person to trust the process, how open are they to change, and are they willing to collaborate instead of lead?

To help you evaluate your own coachability level, my D&S Executive Career Management colleague, Norma Davila, Ph.D., CPRW, CPCC, CICNC, CCTC , wrote a blog article, “Are You Coachable? A key question before engaging with a coach.”

Here is an overview of some of her key points. Want more? See here for the full article on our website. here.

Excerpts from the full article:

Why might you work with a career coach, especially at the executive level?

• You left your most recent position or want to make a change but don’t know where to start with your search.
• You are unsure about how you will present yourself during an interview because you have not been in one in a long time.
• You would like to advance in your career within your industry and don’t know if staying in your company will allow you to do that.
• You want to make sure that you get the best possible offer because you don’t want to leave money on the table.
• You have heard about how different the job search process is for senior-level professionals and executives yet continue to apply online and are not getting any callbacks.
• You are ready for an encore career and think that joining a board of directors would be a good idea if you could figure out how to do it.

Coachability Test – Answer yes or no to the following questions:

Factor: Openness to Feedback

• You see the value of receiving constructive feedback
• You are open to receiving constructive feedback
• You are comfortable asking for clarification when you need to do so
• You are receptive to considering different perspectives
• You are open to new ways of thinking about how to represent yourself on your résumé
• You are willing to consider alternative options for your job search

Factor: Trust in the Process

• You are open to developing a relationship with your coach where you can share your career aspirations and concerns
• You believe that coaching can help you to achieve your career goals
• You are willing to be guided to explore and think differently about your career

Factor: Capacity for Self-Reflection

• You practice self-reflection regularly
• You are comfortable with the occasional discomfort during self-reflection
• You are comfortable exploring your strengths and weaknesses
• You see self-reflection as a valuable tool for your growth

Factor: Ownership and Responsibility

• You assume accountability for your career decisions and their results
• You own your career mistakes
• You actively seek opportunities for professional learning and growth
• You are used to taking the initiative to tackle career challenges

Answering “yes” or finding out that something resonates with you to most of these statements suggests that you may be ready for coaching.

In contrast, if your answers follow a different pattern, you may benefit from taking other steps to clarify any issues that may hinder your success before you start.

Coachability is critical to unlocking your potential and will allow you to obtain the greatest benefits from a career coaching experience.

We encourage you to take the steps necessary to become more coachable as you prepare for the journey of career coaching.

Next Steps:

Want to learn more about how career coaching could help you land your next role or grow as a professional? Schedule a call with us to learn more.