Coachability Notes
Please check out the latest on the science and practical application of leadership coachability

When Coachability Slips: From Wake-Up Call to Rebound
It often starts with success. A leader gains traction, builds a strong reputation, and becomes known for getting things done. The meetings get bigger. The decisions get tougher. People stop giving advice and start expecting answers. And somewhere in that momentum, something starts to drift. Not confidence. Not capability. Coachability. Coachability is the behind-the-scenes engine of

Time to Get Off the Feedback Carousel!
By Kevin Wilde and Pete Berridge Why do we keep circling on the same feedback carousel? Despite decades of books, keynotes, and toolkits, feedback at work still feels broken. Leaders struggle to give it. Employees brace to receive it. HR pros are stuck in the middle, wondering why all of this hasn’t made much of

The Hidden Challenge of Being Coachable in a Passive-Aggressive Culture
I can still hear the squeal of chairs pushing away from the conference room table. As the new guy in the organization, I had just broken an unwritten rule of the culture: never raise a controversial topic without thoroughly vetting it out one-on-one in advance. I had just moved from an East Coast conglomerate where

Feedback Fitness: Building Leadership Strength with Short and Long Cycle Insights
I must have looked comically out of place, lying on my back in the gym, attempting a new exercise that required moving opposite arms and legs in sync while balancing an exercise ball. It wasn’t going well. My trainer, Alex—a gentle yet muscle-bound coach—offered a few simple pointers that made a difference. With a bit

Too Much of a Good Thing? Why Unbalanced Leadership Can Cause You And Others Pain
A recent NY Times article on fitness pain hit home. “Why ‘Unbalanced Muscles Can Cause You Pain” (October 14, 2024) reports that repeatedly doing the same type of activity – whether it’s running, lifting or sitting – can have serious downsides. In my case, it was right hip pain. After a doctor’s appointment, an x-ray

FEEDBACK TO THE BOSS? TREAD LIGHTLY!
“How do I give feedback to my boss?”
While I try to steer that question back to first serving as a coachable role model, I’ve learned to provide a few cautions and tips.

The Art of Coachability Through the Decades
“On average, how old is everyone?” While somewhat unusual, I’ve learned to ask conference organizers this question as I prep to present the research and case for leadership coachability. Of all the background information on audience interests, occupations or even conference themes, the most usual guide to fine-tune a relevant message is to understand the

Becoming a Coachable Leader: Escaping the Clutches of the Four Horsemen
Eddie was known for a sharp intellect and unwavering determination. As head of a growing healthy snacks start-up, Eddie had propelled the company from a mere idea to a disruptive force in the industry. But beneath the veneer of success, a storm brewed within the organization. Though effective in driving results, Eddie’s leadership style was

The Warning Lights of Leadership: Knowing the Critical Signals for Success
Imagine rushing to an important meeting, your mind racing through the agenda, when a light on your dashboard suddenly flickers to life. It’s a symbol you vaguely recognize but hope never to see. Your heart skips a beat. Do you ignore it, hoping it’s nothing serious, or do you pull over, risking being late but

Churchill’s Torn Letter: The Value of a Signal Catcher
Poor starts can be reversed if you remain coachable. Consider Sir Winston Churchill and a torn letter.

In Praise of a Refuge: When You Are Really Out-Of-Office
The unceasing demands of the modern world, with round-the-clock communication and an ever-increasing pace of work, can quickly lead to burnout. It’s crucial to find an escape from the relentless pressures and demands.

LOOKING IN ADAM GRANT’S POCKET
This is a post about Adam Grant’s trade secret that keeps him on the top of his game, and something you’ll want to use, too.

How Coachability Was Coached: Seven Voices Worth Hearing For Your Creative Work
This month marks the one-year anniversary of publishing “Coachability: The Leadership Superpower.” Reflecting on the writing journey, I hope the book has helped others as they read about blind spots, faulty assumptions, and the power of claiming the power in the coachable learning zone.

Searching for The Good, The Bad, and The Coachable
Mara Lawler’s first sit-down conversation with her CEO ended with a surprising assignment. New staff members were routinely invited to an informal introductory session with Mark Urdahl, head of Red Wing Shoes, but this discussion included a not-so-routine ask. “What surprised me was Mark’s request to return in a few weeks and share with him

The ABCs of a Passing Grade
Our credibility as coachable leaders is on the line when we decide to act on feedback. Personal change and adopting new behaviors can be a challenge. Research points to the use of “activators” improve odds of success. Add these to your improvement game plan!

Practicing an All-Star Response to Feedback
Do you struggle to receive feedback positively? You’re not alone. Many high performers find it difficult to take in feedback, and they may have automatic, defensive voices that prevent them from fully understanding what’s being said. However, with practice, you can build the muscle memory needed to respond in the best possible way in stressful

The Candidate in the Mirror
If you find yourself interviewing external candidates for an open job or reviewing internal employees for a promotion, add a few questions to assess their current mindset and habits around continuous learning and coachability.

Owning Your Learning Zone
There’s a balance between low and high confidence in work, and that’s what I like to call the Learning Zone. Here’s how to own it.

Three Ways to Avoid Getting Seduced into a Faulty Start
In starting a new role or promotion, it is essential to show a balance of knowledge and ability to be coached.

Opportune or Uncertain: Navigating Feedback Dilemmas
Coaching and feedback can either strike us as Opportune or Uncertain. What’s the difference and how create a safe harbor when reflecting.