Coachability

What does it mean to be coachable? The answer to this question must be determined at the beginning of any executive coaching assignment. We believe that coachability is rooted in personality and character. To be coachable a person must be able and willing to take direction, think clearly and commit themselves to act in order to change their current situation to something better. A person who is coachable not only has talent and skills but is willing to use them. Here at the Institute we emphasize the difference between knowing and doing (this topic is a critical section in our forthcoming book). A coachable person will both see the good AND do the good.

The most extreme form of uncoachable employees are those who have narcissistic personalities. Milder forms of this disorder are recognizable in our everyday experience. The person who is "full of themselves" can provoke an eye-rolling reaction. Uncoachable people are selfish and self-centered; they see themselves at and as the center of reality.

The key to coachability is the willingness to awaken the sense of true awareness in the person. Regardless of how we may feel about ourselves, reality is broader than our own self-esteem. A truly coachable person exhibits a healthy ability to accept their own limitations, work on their faults, and demonstrates a resiliency to overcome setbacks and disappointments.

Narcissism

Narcissus became obsessed by the beauty of his own reflection.

You know it when you see it - a person who is "full of themselves."

Narcissism is in complete opposition to coaching. We cannot and will not take on coaching assignments where we believe that the coachee is uncoachable even if the client sponsor requests it. See our discussion on ethical considerations.