Want to transform your life? It starts with being coachable.
I still remember the first time I heard someone describe me as “coachable.” It startled me a bit. I thought, “Isn’t everyone coachable?” Alas, no, not everyone is coachable. And it turns out, being coachable is one of the most important traits you can have if you want to grow, succeed, and live a truly joyful life.
What Does It Mean to Be Coachable?
Coachability is more than just listening politely to advice or nodding during a Zoom call. It’s about being open—truly open—to new ideas, feedback, and change. Having the humility to know you don’t have all the answers and the courage to ask the tough questions. A willingness to stretch, to try, to fall flat on your face, and still get back up again, asking, “What’s next?”
Coachability is not about being perfect. It’s about being present. Curious. Engaged. Willing.
And sometimes? It’s about being uncomfortable.
One of my coaching clients once told me, “Talane, I don’t need someone to tell me what I want to hear—I need someone to tell me the truth.” Now that is a coachable mindset.
Why Being Coachable Changes Everything
In my 20+ years as a Master Coach, I’ve seen firsthand how being coachable transforms lives. People who are coachable:
- Grow faster than those who aren’t.
- Attract more opportunities—because they are easier to help!
- Make better decisions with more clarity.
- Let go of perfectionism and open themselves up to progress.
- See challenges as learning moments instead of personal failures.
Let’s face it—we all have blind spots. We can’t see ourselves clearly because we are too close to the situation. That’s why being coachable is such a powerful skill. It allows others to reflect back to us what we need to hear, not just what we want to hear.
Books like The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho beautifully capture this mindset of openness and curiosity. As Santiago follows his personal legend, he embraces each twist and turn with a heart open to learning. It’s a story about trusting the journey and remaining teachable, no matter how uncertain the path.
Similarly, Think Again by Adam Grant dives into the psychology of rethinking. He encourages us to be like scientists—constantly questioning, evaluating, and updating our beliefs in light of new evidence. Coachable people do exactly that.
The Cost of Being Uncoachable
The opposite of coachability is defensiveness. Resistance, excuses, and, often, a lot of stuckness.
If you’ve ever said, “I already know that,” or “I’ve tried that before,” or “That won’t work for me,”—you’ve probably shut a door on growth. Being uncoachable is like walking around with your arms crossed and your mind closed.
I once worked with a client who had a brilliant business idea but couldn’t handle feedback. She resisted every suggestion, deflected every question, and justified every behavior. Not surprisingly, her business didn’t grow. Eventually, she came back to me and said, “I’m ready now.” The difference? This time, she was coachable—and in three months, her idea took off.
How to Become More Coachable
If you want to be more coachable, start by doing the following. These are simple, powerful shifts that can lead to profound change:
Listen deeply—not to respond, but to understand. Most of us think we’re listening when we’re really just waiting for our turn to speak. One of my favorite tips from Coach Yourself to Success is this: try listening for a full two minutes before offering your own thoughts. Just listen—no interruptions, no advice. You’ll be amazed at how much more you hear and how much more connected people feel to you.
Drop the ego—you don’t need to have it all figured out. The need to be right is one of the biggest blocks to growth. Remind yourself: it’s not about being right, it’s about getting it right. When someone offers feedback, instead of defending or explaining, just say “thank you.” That simple phrase creates space for learning and shows your openness.
Ask for feedback—and say thank you, even if it stings. Make it a habit to regularly ask trusted colleagues, friends, or mentors: “What’s one thing I could improve?” Ask with genuine curiosity and no agenda. You don’t have to agree with the feedback, but receive it with grace and use it as data.
Take action—don’t just nod, do something with what you learn. Being coachable means applying what you hear. It’s easy to smile and nod in a coaching session, but change happens when you follow through. Even small steps count. After receiving feedback or learning something new, immediately write down one concrete action you’ll take—and then do it within 24 hours.
Stay curious—the best learners ask the best questions. Instead of jumping to conclusions, get in the habit of asking, “What else could be true here?” or “What can I learn from this?” Cultivating curiosity helps you stay in learning mode instead of judgment mode. Make it your goal to learn something new from every interaction or experience—even the tough ones.
Ready to See How Coachable You Are? Discover how the ability to be coached is your secret weapon to success, clarity, and happiness. Take the free Coachability Quiz now to find out where you stand and how you can grow.
Want to go deeper? Explore our step-by-step Coach Yourself to Success Online Course for guided transformation at your own pace. Or work one-on-one with a Certified Life Coach to accelerate your growth with personal support, structure, and accountability.
