When Did We Stop Being Coachable?
Welcome to an Olympian’s Perspective on…
COACHABILITY! When did it become OK for you to stop being coachable?
As an Olympic athlete, one of the major secrets to my success was coachability: my ability to take direction and improve my craft. It opened my eyes to what I was capable of; it pushed me to reach my potential in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to alone; and it ultimately led me to making my Olympic dream a reality.
Coachability is one of the universal keys to success - and, good news- we are all born with this ability! As youngsters, whether it be when we’re striving for a position on a sports team or a certain role in a musical, we are applauded for embracing this growth mindset of wanting to learn how to be better. When we grow older and acquire our first “real” job, we act as sponges trying to soak up all of the wisdom and experience around us. Coachability shows up for each of us differently throughout our lives, and I would wager that we have all profited in some way from embracing and adopting a coachable (or ‘growth’) mindset and lifestyle.
So... when does it become OK for people to stop being coachable??
Because… - and, here’s the bad news- the majority of humans fall into the trap of forgetting the importance of being coachable. Somewhere between being the newbie to becoming the CEO, the concept of being “coachable,'' has been “outgrown”... traded in for all of the responsibilities, status, stress, ego and perceived notions that come with the position you now hold. At some point in the hierarchical structure of a lot of organizations, there is a shift from it being acceptable for you to grow, evolve and learn to it being expected of you to have all the answers and to lead by perfect example.
WHY???
As an athlete who thrived on learning how to become 1% better, and now as an Executive Performance Coach who wants others to access their potential, my question to the world- to YOU- is why?
WHY do we stop being coachable? Why is asking for help seen as a weakness? Why do we expect ourselves to have all the answers? Why do we shy away from openly admitting and acting upon the idea that we want to be betterthan what we currently are?
The best athletes in the world know that they are better with a great coach.
They trust and rely on that coach to help them grow past their previous personal best, to stand on top of podiums and to break records. For elite athletes, it is the accepted norm to have a coach- or several coaches- devoted to helping them continuously grow, develop, push personal boundaries and progressively become better, as they elusively chase their “best”.
Where is this in the business world? Your personal life? Why do we shy away from openly admitting and showcasing that we want to be betterthan what we currently are, and asking for help in order to get there?? Is it because we see wanting to be better as synonymous with not being enough? Is it because we value status and public appearance over personal progress? Or is it simply because we are afraid of vulnerability?
Why don’t YOU have a coach? And what do you think could change- could be POSSIBLE- if this norm started to shift towards a more coachable business world? Top to bottom. Period.