Apr 28, 20214 min read

13 Ways to Become MORE Coachable

Updated: Jan 7, 2023

As more leaders and organisations recognise the benefits of coaching, they are starting to actively build a culture of coaching within their organisations.

The problem is, many organisations are often unable to provide their leaders with the right coaching tools and frameworks to help their coaching process.

Although coaching is a highly individualised process, leaders still need to draw upon techniques and tools to ensure that it can drive real improvement. To that end, here is a few behavioural tips to inspire a greater connection between the coachee and the coach.

“To succeed...at anything, you have to prepare yourself." - George Sawiris

Now What?

The Idea at Work...Here are 13 ways to be more coachable

1. Listen to what your coaches say, not how they say it.

Easier said than done but, like any skill, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Practice “mean no offense, take no offense” when both speaking AND listening to your teammates and coaches. There are two types of listening, one is listening to respond and the other is listening to understand, which one is you?

2. Trust me: It’s NOT about you.

If your coach is having an ‘off’ day, don’t take it personally. You don’t know what happened to them that day. Did they get reprimanded by the executive director? Did they lose a big assignment? Did they have a fight with their spouse? Is their son failing math? Your coach’s bad day could be a result of any of the other 99% of what is happening in their life. So, odds are, it’s not you.

3. Remember ‘coach’ is only one hat they wear.

Many coaches have spouses, children, families, friends, and lives outside of making sure your development resource is ready on time. While you are important to them, remember they have lives outside of you. Respect that.

4. They really (REALLY) want you to be your best.

Even if it sometimes comes out sideways. They are there to help you be successful. Trust them.

5. Your coaches are more stressed than you can probably imagine.

Give them a break if they aren’t perfect or if their tone isn’t right in line with what you’d prefer. Create a safe environment for a mutual dialogue.

6. Always say ‘thank you’.

In fact, say it more often than you think you need to. Thank your coaches for taking you to where you haven't been before. Thank them for making you watch educational videos (and for editing the video on your last team meeting!). Thank them for scouting your strength builder late into the night. Thank them for totally committing themselves to your improvement. Thank them for holding you accountable to a high standard. And especially thank them during those moments when you don’t feel thankful… those are times when they’re helping you most.

7. Always look your coaches in the eye.

Don’t hold your head down. Don’t look away. You want to be treated like an adult, so BE an adult; have confidence and class and look your coach in the eye. Doing so isn’t even for them: it’s for YOU. (Yes – this time it IS about you.)

8. Shocker: Your coach is human, too.

They aren’t perfect (and – surprise! – neither are you). Their stresses and emotions get misplaced just like yours do. They get hurt by things you do, say, and they feel pain when you disregard them or don’t appreciate them. (See #6.)

9. Don’t roll your eyes.

It’s immature and says more about you than the person you’re offending. (See #7.)

10. If you really have something to say, SAY IT.

I’m big on communication (especially crucial ones, when there's high emotions, high stakes and differing opinions). Huge on it, in fact. So, if all else fails and you just don’t get what you need from your coach, be an adult and communicate that in a mature way. Whining about something constantly, or tuning out and not committing yourself to your team, is NOT a solution. In fact, it’s the exact opposite: detrimental to you, your team, and your coach’s ability to effectively develop you.

11. Directly ask for feedback.

Your coaches have a whole roster of players to look after and might not always get around to you as quickly as you’d like. Every coach would love to have one-on-one conversations or meetings every day with every coachee, but that’s simply not a realistic goal. Therefore, if they don’t get to you right away, go to them and ask for their thoughts and feedback.

12. Be prepared.

Take five minutes before every session to release from your mind the rest of your day’s activities (be present). Remember your goals and remember why you’re being developed. Remember that your coach has put in uncountable hours to prepare learning scenarios, case studies, presentations, and practices for you. So, have some respect: when you’re at practice, really, truly BE at practice. Click here for our pre-practice mental routine-the BRAVR technique.

13. Set up a weekly check-in with your coach.

In a place where both of you can chat informally about your strengths and skills that need working on. This doesn’t have to take long. Just a few minutes after a 'work focus' can be a huge help in keeping you on track to your goals.

So, that’s my list. And, because transforming yourself into a more coachable athlete is mental training, there are many, many more ways other than these simple 13 that you can use to improve.