Don't Hire a Coach Before Doing This First

Be mindful of the individual’s feelings and needs

Ensure success by creating an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

Are you a driven female entrepreneur looking to maximize your business success by leveraging working with a coach? 

If so, this blog is for you! In this post, I’ll outline how to assess your coachability with a 3-level system, and how understanding this system can help you get the most out of coaching investment. I’ll also look at a range of typical coaching scenarios - from those who are highly coachable to those who are utterly uncoachable - and provide insight into how to navigate each stage. So if you’re ready to take your business to the next level with the help of a coach, let’s get started.

Why is it important for female entrepreneurs to assess their coachability to maximize their business success?

Coachability is an important factor in creating a desirable outcome, but it is especially important for female solopreneurs. Being coachable is essential for anyone who wants to reach their highest potential and maximize their business success by working with a trusted advisor or coach. Coachability allows the client to accept feedback and criticism, and use it to make their business better. It also allows them to recognize their own blind spots and take advantage of the resources and knowledge of experts, coaches, and mentors. Having a coachable mindset also allows female entrepreneurs to stay motivated and stay on top of their goals and objectives. It gives them the ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing business conditions while continuing to strive for success. Coachability gives a female solopreneur the self-awareness and insight to identify potential opportunities and make better decisions in their business. Ultimately, leveraging coachability is an important factor for anyone who wants to maximize their business success and achieve their goals.

Here are the levels of coachability you need to know:
1. Red Light: the situations in which a person is not coachable.
2. Yellow Light: get more information to determine if the person is coachable.
3. Green Light: determine that the person is coachable and proceed.

1. Red Light: Identify the situations in which a person is not coachable.
When assessing someone's coachability, it is important to first look for any red-light situations. These are situations in which someone is likely, not coachable. These include someone who is unable to make decisions, has difficulty with critical thinking, has trust and control issues, is too passive/dependent, has poor communication skills, is a help-rejecting complainer, has difficulty with “I don’t know” answers, and is looking for a guarantee. If someone exhibits these behaviors, it is likely that they are not coachable and should not be considered for coaching at this time.

It is also important to assess a person's level of commitment when determining coachability. If the individual is not willing to put in the effort to make a change, they are likely, not coachable. Similarly, if someone is not willing to take responsibility for their own actions and is looking for someone else to blame, they are also not likely to be coachable. Finally, it is important to consider the individual's goal. If the individual is looking for a quick fix or a magic solution, the coach should assess whether their goal is achievable before deciding to take them on as a client. If the individual's goal is unrealistic or impossible, they are likely, not coachable. 

2. Yellow Light: Slow down and get more information to determine if the person is coachable.When determining if someone is coachable, the yellow light step requires slowing down and gathering further information. This step is important for both coaches and potential clients, as it can help them to determine if they are a good fit for each other. Yellow light scenarios may include a client who needs a lot of reassurance about change, needs permission to communicate information or needs to be reminded of their motivation and commitment. 

It is important to remember that coachability is not something that is reached and then forgotten. It is a spectrum that people may slide in and out of at different points in time. Gathering more information to determine if someone is coachable is a necessary step for both coaches and clients.  When assessing the coachability of a potential client, it is important to remember that the client’s perspective is important. It is not enough to simply assess the client’s current situation and determine whether they are coachable or not. This means asking questions and listening to their view on their own situation and goals. It also means being respectful of their experience and allowing them to take ownership of the process. 

The yellow light level is also an opportunity to get to know the person and build rapport. This is important for both coaches and clients, as it can help to build trust and ensure that they are both comfortable with each other. This could include discussing the client’s goals and motivations, as well as the coach’s expectations and approach. By going through this step, which may be called a discovery call or consultation, coaches and clients can make sure that they are a good fit for each other before committing to a longer-term coaching relationship.

3. Green Light: Determine that the person is coachable and proceed.
Green-light scenarios indicate the individual is coachable, such as someone who is willing to experiment, can make decisions, can communicate effectively, and is open to learning. If the individual is determined to be coachable, the coach and individual can proceed with the coaching process.  But, just because the individual is coachable, does not guarantee a great outcome. The coach and the individual should assess each other’s backgrounds and determine whether there is a good fit. If the coach is not a good fit for the individual, the coach should provide the individual with a referral to another coach who may be better suited for the individual’s needs. 

It is important for the coach and the individual to establish a safe and comfortable environment to ensure that the coaching process is successful. This means that the coach should be mindful of the individual’s feelings and needs and should create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. The coach should also give the individual enough space to explore on their own and discover their own answers. Finally, the coach should ensure that they are providing the individual with the best advice and guidance possible. By doing all of these things, the coach can help the individual reach their goals and objectives.

Being coachable is an essential component for anyone looking to maximize her business success. Taking the time to understand and assess your coachability with a 3-level system can help you get the most out of your coaching investment. With the help of this system, you can identify red light, yellow light, and green light scenarios and determine if you are coachable and if you are a coach, whether your potential client will be able to achieve a good outcome with you. 

I’d love to hear how you apply The Coachability Index to achieve transformation & growth. Leave me a comment on how it went for you or drop any questions you want me to answer!