COACHABLE & NON-COACHABLE MOMENTS How Do You Detect Them?

To detect a coachable moment also requires that you also know how to detect when a moment is not a coachable moment. If a person is most coachable in moments of self-awareness, openness to one’s own vulnerability and fallibility— then obviously a person is least coachable when defensive and unable to own one’s humanness.

I was recently asked if detecting a cognitive distortion indicates a coachable moment? The answer is generally, “No.” Most people engaged in cognitive distortions do so because they are feeling insecure and defensive. If you help the person catch it and if the person can step out of that state, reflect on it, and realize that he or she does not have to be defensive, that one’s self- esteem is not on the line— then a person may move to a state of mind and emotion of being open to learning more about themselves.