How ‘coachable’ Are You? 4 Quick Ways To Improve
I used to hate getting negative feedback. because it would reinforce the feeling that I hadn’t done a good enough job (or the feeling that I wasn’t good enough).
So what did I do?
Avoid asking for feedback. Then there was no chance it could be negative!
This seems like a genius idea in the short term. But whilst my goal was to avoid negative feedback, I was blocking positive feedback too. It meant I wasn’t growing or learning.
Plus who wants to work in a team with someone who avoids feedback?
No one.
So, I had to improve my ‘coachability’. Coachability is a mentality or attitude that someone has towards receiving feedback, their openness to be corrected and the willingness to use it to improve.
How coachable are you? See how many you answer yes to:
I regularly ask for feedback on my work/leadership/relationship
I am interested to learn new things
I can self-reflect on what’s working well, and areas for development
I can consider taking on feedback, even if I don’t like it (or like the person who delivered it!)
I do not consider feedback a personal attack
How did you go?
Here are 4 quick ways to improve:
Ask for feedback. “How did I go on that proposal? If there was one thing that I could have done better, what would that be?”. then listen to the response. Really listen.
“Thankyou for the feedback” – thanking them is a sign that you appreciate that someone took the time to give you feedback, and you’re interested in more in the future
Have a ‘growth mindset’ (I can learn to become a better leader) vs ‘fixed mindset’ (leaders are ‘born’ therefore why bother learning the skills).
Have grace! Sometimes feedback can feel like an attack. Take on feedback ‘with grace’, and consider it a learning opportunity, not an attack on your self- worth or ego.
Ways to apply this learning:
Improve feedback in your workplace. Kate facilitates a workshop on Giving and Receiving Feedback. Reply to this email or book a time to talk with Kate to discuss here.
Private Leadership Coaching.
In 2021 Kate will be facilitating a Coaching Certificate Program. Get in touch with Kate to ask for more information.