Like many coaches, I’m very proud to share with the world the progress that my clients make; you may have read some journeys as part of my “Featured Clients” section on my website. These case studies are essential to show potential clients what it’s like to work with me, and the results they may get. This type of feedback is exactly what I look for when searching out my coaches. But you know what, the one thing we don’t always talk about it WHY people get the results they do. If you wanted to be coached successfully you need to be coachable.
You’ve heard the phrase “you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make the drink?” That is key when it comes to coaching. It doesn’t matter how much experience I have, how many letters I have after my name or certificates up on my wall. There is one thing that will make the biggest difference between a successful coaching relationship and a waste of everyone’s time and money. If someone doesn’t want to be coached, if they don’t believe in the process, it won’t work; they aren’t coachable.
Over the years, I have noticed a few traits in common with the people I work with through my coaching and mentoring. It’s beyond their parental status, gender or age. It’s their attitude towards the coaching itself plus some key personality traits. I’m going to share these with your today!
What makes someone coachable?
Open-minded
This may be stating the obvious, but coachable people are actually are open to the ideas of change. They believe that people, including themselves, can change and they trust the process enough to engage with it. One way to describe this is that they have a Growth Mindset: they believe that talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies and the input of others.
Responsible
It goes without saying that it’s very important that you work with a coach that suits your needs, but even the most amazing coach can’t MAKE you change or reach your goals. If you aren’t prepared to engage with the process and put into place the actions and tools shared during a session, there is very little a coach can do. This is about your budget; not just money, but the time and effort you are prepared to spend. Are you willing to do the work that is needed? To book appointments at regular times. To do any “homework” that is set?
Inquisitive
The best coaching questions are always very inquisitive; they delve deeper. However, the only way these can be used to be the best of their ability is if the individual themselves is curious about the answers; many of which start with either how, why, when, where and how. There is no doubt that self- reflection can make you feel very vulnerable as there are elements of critique to confront. Whilst it the job of the coach to make the coachable feel safe during this process, if they aren’t curious about themselves, it’s going to be superficial exchange.
Self-motivated
Whilst there is no doubt having the accountability that is generated from having a coach (many of my clients talk about having a “Clara on their shoulder”) long term changes are only possible if a person is able to stay motivated when they don’t have a coach to answer to! It’s also essential to keep the momentum in-between coaching sessions. Whilst it can be useful to check in with a coach regularly for a “boost”, the best coachees are able to drive themselves forward using what they have learned.
The way a person is coached can vary; the tools and approaches used will vary from where Coaches have trained, as well as their work and life experience. However, it’s only part of the story. The success of a coaching relationship always comes from the willingness, attitude, and behaviour of the person to be coached. It’s very simple, but it makes all the difference!
What do you think? Does this sound like you? Do you feel there are other traits that make people more coachable than others? Let me know in Creating Careers to Enjoy.
Clara Wilcox is a straight-talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time you had a career to enjoy, not endure? Talk to me NOW about how I can help.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
