How to Be Coachable in Your Direct Sales Business

There are always new things to learn in your direct sales business. Every time you want to increase your party schedule or promote to a new title, you have to learn new skills and systems. Master leaders of large teams do different things and do things differently than new leaders. The best way to learn new skills and systems is to be coachable. The two keys to being coachable are to be open to new ideas and to be clear on where you want to go.

You can hire a coach, join a group coaching program (I hear there is a really good one called Spark, wink wink) or be coached by your upline. The advantage to being coached is that the coach has a bird’s-eye view of your business. She can see things that you can’t because you’re in the thick of it. She’s probably been where you are, and if you’re open to coaching, she can help you get where you’re going faster.

People who are coachable are open to new ideas. You can’t do the same things and expect to move forward. Simply doing more of the same things doesn’t work either. You can’t just sell products and sponsor people and expect to move through the Leadership Stages of Success. Your coach can help you layer skills and systems to grow with your business.

If you’re so set in your ways that you’re not open to suggestions or willing to tweak and refine what you’re doing, you’re not going to grow. Sure some of the methods might be uncomfortable, but all growth is. You’re building business muscles.

Sometimes a coach/upline might suggest something that seems counterintuitive, against your style or completely different than what you’ve always done. It’s okay to ask her questions about it. Understanding why you should do something is just as important as knowing what to do. If you are hesitant about following the advice, ask specific questions. The more you understand, the easier it will be for you to apply it or at least decide if it aligns with the direction you want to take your business.

Knowing where you want to take your business will help your coachability and it will allow you to take charge of the information you’re getting. This is especially helpful in group coaching. When information is presented, ask yourself, will this help me move towards my goal? If the answer is yes, and you need more information, ask specific questions.

It’s okay to be skeptical, but don’t be defensive. When you’re skeptical, you’ll look at all angles. When you’re defensive, you don’t see anything.

Once you have the information you need, try the new thing. And if you have more questions, ask.

Cheering for you,
Kelly