Do you remember when Forrest first learned how to be a shrimp boat captain? He’d return to the docks with empty nets and a heavy heart from the discovery that “shrimpin’ is tough!” The old shrimper coached Forrest by saying, “Hey, you ever think about namin’ this old boat? It’s bad luck to have boat without a name.”
Forrest was very coachable. He was coachable because of his exceptional ability to be both present and receptive. Presence and receptiveness are two of the seven principles of Gumption, and play a key part in one’s ability to be coached.
When you’re present, you see things realistically. You recognize that catching shrimp is tough, and that what you’ve been doing hasn’t been working. Being present involves taking off your rose-colored glasses and seeing what’s what with crystal clarity.
When you’re receptive, you hear things that you need to hear. You take the advice of experience when an old shrimper counsels that a boat without a name is bad luck. Being receptive means being open and actively interested, while letting go of your natural instinct to resist others and their ideas.
Do you know how to take off your rose-colored glasses and be present? Do you have the ability to hear others against the screams of your own resistance? Are you coachable?
Next Blog Title: 7 Ways To Be More Coachable
Next Blog Date: January 20, 2011