Being coachable doesn’t only relate to sports. Most companies will agree that being coachable is an important quality for their employees to possess. So, what exactly does that mean? Being coachable means wanting to constantly improve yourself in the workplace by asking co-workers or your boss for feedback and making changes based on the feedback. It doesn’t have to be complicated, here are 3 ways to be more coachable in the workplace:
To be coachable, the most important step is to be open to feedback. This can be done by simply asking a co-worker, “could you give me a suggestion on how to improve my efficiency?” Ask multiple people to help give you more perspectives on where you need to improve. Receiving feedback is only beneficial if you understand the feedback. If you don’t understand, be sure to ask questions and ask for examples, otherwise, you will not be able to apply the feedback to your work.
You need to be ready to receive tough feedback. Keep in mind, that tough feedback is a learning opportunity and not a personal attack. Everyone has their own perspective on a situation, so be open to new perspectives. Feedback is not always easy to hear but always remember to thank the person for their time. If you respond poorly, they may not be willing to give you feedback again.
After receiving feedback, it is important to reflect on the suggestions from others. Self-reflection makes you more aware of your behavior, how you handle situations, and how you impact other people in the workplace. This is also a good time to commit yourself to making the changes necessary to improve. Start by setting small goals or creating a plan to help yourself stay committed to the changes you want to implement.
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