20 Ways to Be Coachable

Good teammates are coachable, meaning they can turn input into improved output. Being coachable is among their most cherished attributes and a large part of what makes them good teammates.

Here are twenty ways for you to be coachable:

1. Practice Self-Awareness (Know your strengths and shortcomings. Don’t be susceptible to your blind spots.)

2. Be Open to Constructive Criticism (Don’t let your ego keep you from hearing what you may not want to hear.)

3. Don’t Take Criticism Personally (Think about why it’s said and not how it’s said.)

4. Crave Feedback (Purposefully solicit wide-ranging assessments.)

5. Have a Desire to Please and Exceed Expectations (Find out what is desired from you and not just by you.)

6. Want to Be Held Accountable (Don’t get defensive or make excuses for falling short of expectations.)

7. Be Willing to Abandon Your Comfort Zone (Personal growth happens beyond the confines of personal comfort.)

8. Exercise Humility (Value others’ opinions without indulging in self-righteousness.)

9. Listen with Your Ears and Your Eyes (Look speakers in the eye when they’re talking.)

10. Listen with Intent (Digest the meaning of what is said before responding.)

11. Affirm Instructions (Nod your head and let the speaker know you understand what you’re being told.)

12. Provide Feedback (Give your “coach” insights into what you’re experiencing so that they can best help you.)

13. Adopt an Unwavering Commitment (Be “all in” and fully devoted to getting better.)

14. Be Keen to Try New Approaches (What worked in the past might not work in the future.)

15. Apply the Instructions You’ve Been Given (Don’t only accept the feedback, apply it.)

16. Practice Positive Body Language (No eye rolling! No slouching shoulders! No shaking heads!)

17. Be Process Driven (Work independently without modifying or skipping steps.)

18. Squelch Arrogant Tendencies (Accept that your way may not be the best way.)

19. Have Long-Term Vision (Be easy to please, but hard to satisfy by staying focused on long-term goals instead of short-term gains.)

20. Be Grateful (Appreciate that someone cares enough about you to share their observations and suggestions.)

I have yet to meet an individual who brings value to their team who does not value the opportunity to get better—for their team. When the individual improves, the team improves. Improvement starts with being coachable.

As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.

Lance Loya is the founder and CEO of the Good Teammate Factory. He is a former sports coach turned bestselling author, blogger, and professional speaker, who inspires TEAMBUSTERS to become TEAMMATES. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or through his weekly Teammate Tuesday blog.

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