Book Review - Becoming Coachable

BECOMING COACHABLE: Unleashing the Power of Executive Coaching to Transform Your Leadership and Life. Scott Osman, Jacquelyn Lane, Marshall Goldsmith  (2024, Kindle Edition)

Coaching is one of the most powerful tools available to leaders today, yet very little is written about what it means to be coachable, until this book. Becoming Coachable is written by three highly experienced coaching experts who draw from their own experiences as well as from a host of other scholars and experts in the field. From the authors’ perspectives, leaders who go on to create the most impressive results in record time are the most coachable. They go on to clarify that “coaching” is about embracing feedback to gain more perspective about oneself and how others view and experience you; whereas “coachability” is about the degree of preparedness a person has to get the most growth and development from the coaching process. 

Becoming Coachable is organized in three parts (inclusive of nine chapters). An overview of the topics and content covered in each of the three parts follows.

In Part One, the authors provide a solid understanding of the basics of coaching—i.e., what coaching entails, who it benefits, why it differs from other forms of support (e.g., mentoring, therapy), and how to find the right coach for your needs. More specifically, the first chapter begins with a review of foundational theories and common myths, including topics such as the importance of understanding one’s own “coaching type”, identifying one’s blind spots, as well as the leadership qualities needed for success. A particularly insightful section is dedicated to dispelling seven (7) common misconceptions about coaching that include: 

1. having a coach is something to be ashamed of

2. having a coach means something is wrong with you

3. the coach is there to fix you

4. having a coach is like seeing a therapist

5. a mentor can do the coach’s job

6. a coach needs to have held a similar role as you

7. all coaches are created equal

As an experienced coach and mentor, this book reviewer has notably found that leaders often confuse the role of a mentor and that of a coach. In this book, the authors clearly differentiate mentoring from coaching and the value-added benefits of each. 

In the following two chapters, the authors offer guidance on searching for and selecting the “right” coach for one’s needs and a pathway for a successful coaching engagement.

Part Two is the heart of the book and focuses on how to get the most from one’s coaching engagement. Here, the authors share from their collective experience the four (4) keys to becoming coachable—i.e., being open to change, feedback, action, and accountability—and dedicate one chapter to delve into each. To illustrate, in Chapter 4, the authors speak about the importance of embracing change and for adopting a growth mindset. In Chapter 5, they reflect on the practice of accepting and acting on feedback with humility. Then, in Chapter 6, they focus on factors to consider in taking action to achieve positive change. Finally, in Chapter 7, they address how to obtain feedback and embrace accountability to ensure “lasting” change.

In Part Three and the concluding chapters, the authors posit the age-old question, To What End? Specifically, they focus on the transferability of the skills gained from a successful coaching engagement to all aspects of life. A framework is presented on four leadership mindsets: Striving, People-Pleasing, Rising, and Flourishing; with the most powerful and impactful form of leadership being the last (Flourishing). They advance the perspective that as leaders and in life, we encounter many forks in the road where a decision on which road to take is needed. The different leadership mindsets, from Striving to Flourishing, are intended to provide an easy-to-understand tool for deciding which mindset is the one that will serve you best, as well as those around you.

In essence, Becoming Coachable is a call to action for leaders at all levels—whether you are a seasoned executive or just starting your leadership journey—to continually invest in personal growth and development to propel your impact. This book is well structured and written in a style that is both relatable and engaging. Each chapter concludes with an executive summary of what was covered for ease of reference and reflection. The authors provide valuable insights and real-world examples on the value of coaching, and examine in detail the enormous impact that coachability can have on our lives, both professionally and personally. This is a thought-provoking read on a topic that is key to unlocking one’s leadership potential for the benefit of all.