The higher you rise, the more you lose this...
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Every three years, I renew my coaching certification with the International Coaching Federation.
Not all coaches do this, but I make it a priority to keep my skills sharp and to ensure I’m delivering the highest-quality coaching for my clients.
As part of my 40 continuing education hours this round, I attended a workshop on coachability.
By definition, coachability is an individual’s willingness and ability to seek out, be receptive to, and act on constructive feedback to drive personal development and improve performance.
In simple terms, the effectiveness of coaching depends on two things:
My skill as a coach
The receptivity of the client
Which means I can bring the exact same coaching to two different people…and get very different results.
In fact, the data shows that more coachable individuals tend to:
Perform at a 9% higher level
Be 28% more adaptable
And ultimately be 30% more promotable
That’s compelling evidence—not just for hiring coachable people, but for developing a coaching culture within an organization.
But here’s the part that made my brain pause…
The higher someone is in an organization, the less coachable they tend to become.
Ouch!
That’s right—the higher your title, the lower your coachability.
There are plenty of reasons this might happen. You’re the one setting the vision. You’re used to making the calls. But more often, I see it come down to two things:
There are fewer people (if any) regularly challenging or stretching you
Over time, growth gets replaced with comfort, familiarity, and habit
The best way to counteract this? Intentionally invest in your own growth.
If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a class, learned a new skill, or worked with a mentor, consultant, or coach…it might be time.
Because just like anything else, if you don’t use that coachability muscle, it starts to atrophy.
I hope you're having a great start to spring!
Halle
PS:
1. For daily support and tidbits follow me over on Insta!
2. Time for a new journal? Pick up a new copy of my Know Thyself Journal for daily support towards your most important intentions for the next 90 days.
3. Are you into individual assessments? Here is a link to take a free Core Values Assessment (CVI). It only takes 10 minutes and measures your innate, unchanging nature. Take it yourself and feel free to forward to a friend, too.
