How Being "Cool" Makes You More Coachable

Ever find yourself getting defensive or flustered when someone gives you feedback, whether it's at work or on the field? You're not alone. Staying "cool" under pressure can be a game-changer, and it's something I've learned firsthand as a collegiate athlete and national team player. But what does it really mean to be "cool"? 

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Defining "Cool"

In a feedback and coaching context, Coachability Consultant Inc. (CCI )  defines "cool" as our external display when receiving constructive feedback. It's all about maintaining calmness, self-confidence, and steadiness under pressure. 

People who demonstrate higher levels of "cool" don’t get uncomfortable or defensive when facing feedback. Instead, they stay poised, composed, and open to discussing both the good and the bad aspects of their performance.

A Harvard Business Review study found that employees who handle feedback well tend to have higher job satisfaction and better career progression. This supports the idea that being "cool" can make you more coachable and, consequently, more successful.

Cool is not to be confused with confidence. Confidence is about an internal belief in one’s ability to handle feedback. While "cool" is about managing external reactions, confidence is about internal resilience. Read about the importance of confidence in my other blog post.

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What "Cool" Looks Like in Action

Imagine this: during a performance review, you receive constructive but hard-to-hear feedback about a project. What is your response? 

As a D1 soccer player and a Dominican Republic national team member, I've faced plenty of feedback, both on and off the field. I recall a particularly tough training camp where my coach called me out in a team huddle for not meeting performance expectations. 

I knew as soon as my coach was done talking – everyone one of my teammates was staring at me. I felt my face heat and pressure built behind my eyes as I tried to hold back my tears. But instead of letting the floodgates open, I stayed cool. 

I listened to my coach, asked questions to fully understand what I needed to improve, and thanked him for his honesty. This composure helped me absorb the feedback constructively and showed my commitment to getting better. Staying cool in that moment not only improved my game but also strengthened my relationships with the team.

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What "Cool" Looks Like for a Legend

When it comes to keeping cool under pressure, LeBron James is the ultimate chill guru. Throughout his illustrious NBA career, LeBron has consistently demonstrated the art of staying composed when receiving coaching, from championship games to off-court challenges. 

LeBron’s secret to this elite level of external cool? Internal confidence. (See? The factors are different, but they can be related!) 

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In fact, LeBron believes so much in the power of a calm demeanor and a receptive, resilient mind that he partnered with the Calm app to publish his very own “Train Your Mind” course. 

“What does it mean to be mentally fit?” he says in the “Intro to Mental Fitness” recording. “It means presence… It means awareness. I can see my surroundings with clarity and I can calculate my options. It means calm and composure in those big moments when the pressure is on… It means I walk into a room, or step on the court and I’m at ease. I’m prepared, relaxed, and ready.”

“And this isn’t just about basketball,” says LeBron. “It’s about life. That’s what mental fitness means to me.”

LeBron also emphasizes the importance of staying present in the moment and controlling the things within his power. His approach to staying calm and collected under pressure is admirable and can be extremely beneficial to use in the workplace.

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The CQ Assessment and Coachability

CCI’s Coachability Quotient (CQ) Assessment can measure an individual’s “cool,” as well as other factors that impact coachability, such as confidence in receiving feedback, having a growth mindset, and adaptability. 

Understanding and developing your "cool" factor can significantly enhance your coachability and workplace performance. Keeping my cool has been crucial as an athlete. Staying composed in matches has allowed me to make smart decisions and perform at my best. 

That same ability to stay calm under pressure has been invaluable in the workplace, where maintaining composure leads to better decision-making and stronger leadership.

If you’re interested in improving your ability to handle feedback and grow in your career, consider starting your journey with Coachability Consultants. Take a look at our blog or sign up for our newsletter. If you want to elevate your own coachability or your organization's coachability, take a look at our services or get in touch with us directly. 

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Main Image Source

https://ucfknights.com/news/2022/08/17/womens-soccer-set-to-host-florida-in-season-opener

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Article Sources

https://hbr.org/2007/01/what-to-ask-the-person-in-the-mirror

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-incredible-drive-of-lebron-james/

https://inside.heja.io/lebron-james-young-athletes-growth-mindset-mental-fitness-calm-267be9835887

https://www.calm.com/app/program/Kl8gZDaKoW

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