Stay Current - Be Coachable
In sports, star athletes who resist taking orders from the coach are a detriment to the entire team. Good coaches either bench such players or kick them off the team!
In the business arena, being coachable means more than following orders—it also means being willing to learn and grow. There's no place in a well-managed organization for employees who think they've reached a point in their careers where it is unnecessary for them to develop additional skills or improve their work.
Generally, employees who begin their careers at entry-level positions are not brought into their organization for what they know, but instead, for their potential to learn- for what they will eventually know. Nothing pleases a boss more than an enthusiastic employee, eager to grow and prove her worth to the company. Conversely, those who are unwilling to grow are viewed either as mavericks or deadwood. Today in the ever-changing marketplace, management places a high priority on keeping its people current. This is best achieved with people who are coachable.
Six Tips on Being Coachable
- Always have a burning desire to learn.
- Give your boss credit for knowing his/her job.
- Don't second-guess your superiors.
- Ask plenty of questions.
- Be a good listener.
- Be flexible.
