Are You Coachable? Unlocking The Real Secret To Finding The Best Coach In Manchester
- Aug 24
- 7 min read
In the world of personal and professional development, coaching has become a powerful tool for growth. You can find a professionally accredited life coach in Manchester or anywhere in the world. But are you coachable?
There are many things you might consider to be important before selecting the best professional coach for you. But here’s a twist: while much attention is given to finding a life coach with impressive credentials and experience, the real key to transformative results often lies with you, the client.
Allow me to introduce you to the concept of “coach-ability,” an often-overlooked quality that determines whether you’re ready to embark on a coaching journey that truly delivers the changes in your life you actually desire.
This article, inspired by coaching is for Manchester professionals invested in their personal development and will guide you through the essentials, help you self-assess, and show you how to cultivate this vital trait. By the end, you’ll know if you have what it takes to become our next outstanding coaching client, and how to get there if you don’t.
What Is Coach-ability?
Coach-ability isn’t measured by having an innate talent or a host of prior achievements; it’s about your mindset and willingness to engage in the process of learning. If you were here, hoping to find the best coach in Manchester who can transform your current situation, just hit pause and ask yourself “Am I coachable?”
Do you remember when you were a baby learning to walk? Of course you don’t. That was a long time ago. Maybe riding your first bike though, without stabilisers. That was a pretty huge goal at the time wasn’t it? Something you so wanted to achieve but at the same time felt apprehensive about. Maybe you fell a couple of times. Do you remember who was there to get you back in the saddle? That was coaching. You trusted, put your faith in them, and the result you wanted to achieve. You were open to learn, even if it meant taking a knock or two.
At it’s core, coach-ability refers to the clients openness to learning, adapting, and growing through action, feedback and self reflection.  It’s the belief in your own ability to make meaningful changes and the humility to accept that you don’t have all the answers. 
Unlike skills that can be taught in a classroom, coach-ability is a mindset that empowers you to take responsibility for your development. It is in our DNA but sometimes, that innate ability gets lost as life’s many distractions unroll before us.
Think of it this way: a coach provides the map, such as in the Results Coaching Program, but a coachable client is the one who grabs the wheel and drives. If you don’t want to overcome obstacles, change your results, and develop in your personal and professional life you probably don’t need a coach. But, without being coachable, even the best coach in the world can’t help you reach your destination.
“How many coaches does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the bulb must really want to change”
Research and expert insights highlight that coachable individuals are more likely to achieve a personal breakthrough because they’re receptive, committed, and proactive. 
The 10 Essential Qualities of a Coachable Client
Not everyone starts out highly coachable. The initial sessions help the coach and client build a strong rapport. The client begins to relax as they realise the value exchange. Their habits start to shift and their focus is sharpened.
“Where attention goes, energy flows, and results flow”.
Here are ten key qualities drawn from coaching experts and studies on personal development. Recognising these traits will help you to evaluate and elevate your potential.
Test your coach-ability: Do these statements describe me?
1. Self-Awareness:
I understand my strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots.
The most coachable clients start with honest reflection, knowing that growth begins with knowing where you stand today.  
2. Humility:
I am willing to admit when I am wrong and set aside my ego.
Humility allows you to receive constructive criticism without defensiveness, turning feedback into fuel for progress.  
3. Openness to Feedback:
Instead of resisting advice, I welcome it—even when it’s tough to hear.
This receptivity is a hallmark of coach-ability, as it shows you’re prioritising personal growth over comfort.  
4. Willingness to Learn:
I approach my personal development with curiosity and a beginner’s mindset, eager to acquire new skills and perspectives.  
5. Commitment to Change:
I am committed to playing full out to achieve better outcomes.
Talk is cheap. Coachable clients follow through on action steps, showing dedication to their goals through consistent effort. 
6. Positivity and Resilience:
I see setbacks as opportunities to fine tune my focus and bounce back with optimism and drive.
You maintain an optimistic outlook, bouncing back from setbacks rather than dwelling on them. A positive attitude keeps the momentum going throughout, the entire results coaching program or personal breakthrough coaching sessions.  
7. Accountability:
I am solely responsible for my actions and outcomes.
Avoiding blame-shifting is a powerful trait that ensures you’re an active participant in your coaching journey. You are not just a follower, you are the creator. 
8. Trust in the Process:
I have faith in my coach and the coaching methodology, even when results aren’t immediate. 
Trusting the process allows distractions to stay in the shadows. Whilst you are making inspiring goals at session one, you have no idea what session 12 will reveal to you.

9. Competitiveness (with Yourself):
I am driven to improve, not to outdo others, but to become the best version of myself. 
We can be our own worst enemies at times. Competing with others is futile, unless in a game of sport. Becoming a better version of you is the key to your success.
10. Adaptability:
I embrace change and adjust my strategies based on new insights.
A key trait that most people can develop in life coaching is showing flexibility in the face of challenges. There is no failure, only feedback.
If most, or even some of these resonate with you, congratulations, you’re likely a prime candidate for coaching success! Find out more with a free icebreaker introduction to life coaching:
Are You Ready to Be Coached? Take Our Coach-ability Self-Assessment:
To make this practical, here’s a quick way to gauge your coach-ability. Answer honestly on a scale of 1-5 (1 = Not at all, 5 = Completely):
1. Do you actively seek feedback from others even when things don’t go as planned?
2. Are you comfortable reflecting on your mistakes in order to learn and grow?
3. Do you follow through on commitments, even when it’s hard?
4. How open are you to trying new approaches?
5. Do you trust experts to guide you in areas where you’re less experienced?
Add up your scores:
below 15 coach-ability score might indicate a barrier to moving forward, or it could just be a lack of leverage to get started. You should work on your reasons for wanting to grow. Maybe they haven’t fully aligned with your belief system.
15-19 suggests room for growth with the right support. You just need to decide if you want to grow.
20-25 indicates that you are already coachable; You could be a great candidate to work with us.
Use this as a starting point for your own reflection.
Understand The Benefits of Being Coachable In Your Professional Life
Why would you invest time and effort into becoming more coachable? Because the payoffs are immense.
Coachable professionals often experience faster career advancement, stronger relationships, and greater personal fulfilment. They catalyse their own growth, turning coaching into a multiplier for success that will continue to deliver compounding results, rather than just another expensive training program. 
Studies show that those open to coaching and feedback perform better in leadership roles and adapt more quickly to emerging challenges. Ultimately, coach-ability isn’t just about achieving goals, it’s about building a lifelong skill for continuous improvement.
Our results coaching program is a twelve session journey into your most important goals. Perfect for professionals, executives and business owners in Manchester. Enrol today:
How to Boost Your Coach-ability
If your self-assessment revealed gaps, don’t worry, coach-ability can be developed. Start with these tips:
Practice Active Listening: In conversations, focus on understanding rather than responding.
Seek Feedback Regularly: Ask mentors or colleagues for input and act on it.
Journal for Self-Reflection: Track your progress and challenges to build self-awareness.
Embrace Discomfort: View challenges as opportunities, not threats.
Set Small, Actionable Goals: Build momentum with wins that reinforce your commitment.
By cultivating these habits, you’ll become the kind of client coaches dream of working with.
Need to overcome obstacles before unlocking your inner potential? Start with our transformational Personal Breakthrough Coaching Program:
Step Into Your Coachable Self
If you are wondering if it is time to find a life coach in Manchester, there are some key things to consider. Ultimately, you want to be sure that you will get a return on your investment. Our Results Coaching Program and Personal Breakthrough Coaching can help you achieve outcomes that will change your life. The key question is are you ready to be coachable. Success is not just about the coach, it’s about you being ready to thrive as a client. If you’ve recognised these qualities in yourself or are inspired to develop them, you’re already on the path to extraordinary results.
Ready to put your coach-ability to the test? Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how coaching can unlock your potential.
Remember, we are all born coachable. It is built in our genes, but we lose track somewhere along the way. The most successful people choose to find it within them, and take action.
To your success
Tony Healer
Manchester Life Coach and Personal Breakthrough Specialist.
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