Are You Coachable?

Ok, so this one is a lesson AND a bit of a rant at the same time.

One thing I get is, as “the marketing guy” people ask me questions all the time about how they can market better and get more clients.

I love these conversations because they are giving me permission to talk about my passion. I love to talk marketing stuff. I get excited when I can sit down with someone and help them with ideas on how to grow their business.

But then comes the part I never have understood. The part where some of them say “oh, that won’t work for me.”

Huh? Why not. It works for thousands of other businesses out there. Why are you different?

“My clients are different” is usually the response. Or some times “That’s too much work”

It’s interesting to think about. They stopped me. Took my time (which I was happy to give them), listen to me give them steps to take, and then just discount it all without even giving it a try.

So why did they ask to begin with?

I see it a lot and it never does stop amazing me each time.

If you aren’t going to take the advice I have to offer, why did you ask.

I hear other professional coaches and mentors all say the same thing. They don’t understand the simple question.

“If you aren’t going to listen to what I have to say, why are you asking the question?”

If you want to grow in any part of your life, business or personal, you have to be willing to listen, take advice and be coachable.

It’s funny, a few years ago, I thought that term was really funny. I had heard a few coaches ask “Are you willing to be coachable?” I never got it until I started running in to that side of the conversation.

You have to be coachable if you want to get ahead in life. Think about it, what if Tiger Woods blew off everything his coach told him to do. Do you think he’s still be the best? I doubt it.

So, my advice for you (should you choose to take it) is to be open to listening to others. Be coachable. Just give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised my the results.

A great quote I have heard many times that really puts it in perspective:

“Would you rather be right, or would you rather be rich? You rarely can be both”

Please comment and let me know your thoughts on this. How have you been given advice that you had asked for and ignored it?

Has this happened to you? Did someone come to you for advice only to do the opposite of what you told them. Why do you think they did it?